Had a chance to go back and look at last nights game on an actual TV instead of a jumpy internet feed and I liked what saw even more.
Here’s some random reflection on what I liked and what’s concerning heading into the season. It’s hard to be too critical, this team is stacked.
Offense
Brady is still Brady. Yay.
Brandon Bolden missed this one, I’m so back and forth on him. One day you’re reading how he’s a core special teams guy, the next he might be injured again. I think the Pats will be fine with Ridley/White/Vereen and it seems like Bolden is what he is.
Hard to believe the offense was this good while completely ignoring the tight end spot. The White-Vereen backfield set will be tough to defend.
I’m 90 percent sure Kenbrell Thompkins is going to have a breakout season. I’m 100 percent sure he’ll have some drops.
The scary part is we don’t even know what Dobson can do. At worst they’ve added a sizable red zone target in LaFell and if Dobson turns out to be be as advertised all the better. Throw Gronk in there too and this is a tough team to defend.
Really have no clue how the offensive line is going to play out. With the injuries it might just make the most sense to start the year off with the line that has started the last two seasons. They have their flaws but they’re pretty reliable. Hopefully one of the young guys elevates in-season and pushing for playing time.
Defense
Jamie Collins and Chandler Jones are two players to be excited about. Both had impressive games. I really can’t wait to see the creative ways Collins is deployed.
Amazing that Wilfork and Tommy Kelly don’t even look like they were injured. So impressed with how they’ve bounced back and it’s a huge relief considering the injuries to Siliga and Jones.
It’s incredible how good Revis is. I am going to enjoy watching him play football this season.
I will not be surprised to see Butler see immediate time in sub-packages.
Chung and Harmon will likely rotate but I could see games (vs. Broncos esp.) where Chung doesn’t see the field. But he’ll be useful against the more physical teams like the Jets.
Small sample size but I liked what I briefly saw of Worthy. I have a roster spot for him, at least until Easley and Chris Jones are back up to speed.
Vellano probably sneaks on too, but just until Siliga is back. Seeing a Wilfork-Kelly-Vellano rotation with Worthy on passing downs to start the season, smattering of Easley and the Siliga and Jones’ returns should be a real boost.
The backup linebackers showed up to me last night – James Morris looked good in space, not taking a lot of false steps, Ja’Gared Davis delivered a big hit, and Darius Fleming looked strong on the end of the line. Steve Beauharnais had an interception and looked solid.
James Anderson seems like a lock, but had another missed tackle in space. But with Collins and Mayo there might not be much chance for him to see the field.
What can we say? The Patriots are once again very good, and how far they go will depend on how healthy they stay. Now let’s just get through the final game without any injuries and get started on the 2014 campaign!