Evaluating the Patriots' first preseason game

The first preseason game is in the books. Scores and stats are insignificant. Bailey Zappe was 12-of-14, but was he really that effective? The Patriots lost, 20-9, but did the first team defense do anything to make you doubt they will be one of the top defenses in the NFL this year?

I wrote an article prior to the game outlining the top things I will be looking for in the game. Let’s see how they did.

1. Offensive Line
   

This unit was so bad it is hard to evaluate anything else the Patriots did on offense. It was the worst case scenario for the unit, and it was the story of the game. Granted, they were without starters Trent Brown, Cole Strange, David Andrews, and Mike Onwenu. But it gave Belichick an opportunity to see how his rookie draft class of Atonio Mafi, Sidy Sow, and Jake Andrews could do. The answer was not good. Zappe had little time to throw. At points, the Patriots offense resembled last year’s as they had to resort to short screen passes to counteract the lack of time the quarterbacks had to throw. The Patriots rushed 25 times for 78 yards - an average of 3.1 yards per carry. Their longest carry by a running back was only 8 yards. The quarterbacks were sacked three times, but hurried numerous other times. The Patriots averaged only 3.6 yards per pass. Not good.

Sow was particularly bad at right tackle. Connor McDermott, who is competing for the starting job at right tackle, was equally as bad at left tackle. It is notable that his main competition at right tackle is veteran Riley Reiff, and Reiff didn’t play - a sign that Reiff may be viewed as the starter at this point.

2. Wide Receivers

Again, the offensive line didn’t really provide the quarterbacks much time to hold the ball long enough to allow the wide receivers to get open. The one notable exception was a 27-year-old completion to Tyquan Thornton in the first quarter down the left sideline on a rare occasion where Zappe was provided with a little protection. It was an encouraging play for the former second-round draft pick who has found himself slipping down the wide receiver depth chart.

It was disappointing not to see the darling of training camp, Demario Douglas, get any action at wide receiver. On the other hand, it is a very good sign that Douglas, in his first two weeks of practices, may have already locked up, not only a roster spot, but a key role in the Patriots’ offense come the regular season.

Other than that Thornton play, there was nothing notable about this unit. JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, and Kendrick Bourne didn’t play.

3. Running Backs

The Patriots have been looking at adding another back. They brought in James Robinson but released him early on. They have flirted with Dalvin Cook and Ezekiel Elliott. They have brought in Darrell Henderson and Leonard Fournette. In the meantime, Belichick is hoping Kevin Harris and/or Pierre Strong can step up. After one game, the returns are negative. Harris had a 4th-and-1 carry that was uninspiring. Strong caught a short swing pass on 3rd-and-short and couldn't evade a defender for the first down. Rhamondre Stevenson didn’t play, but it has become obvious the Patriots need to find a veteran to split carries with the workhorse.

4. Execution on offense

After the confusion of last season, I wanted to see if the offense could look like an NFL unit. The answer was yes. The offense had one false start call on McDermott. Other than that, it was a pretty disciplined performance by the offense. The offense got in and out of the huddle quickly, allowing quarterbacks the time to look over the defense and make adjustments. It looked like there was significant coaching going on on the sidelines.

5. Kickers

The Patriots only had one field goal chance, and surprisingly it went to Nick Folk. Folk nailed the 44-yarder, but it was disappointing not to see rookie Chad Ryland make the kick. Ryland did handle all the kickoffs and appeared to attempt different styles of kickoffs.

Bryce Baringer handled all but two of the punts. He shanked one but got a good roll on it. He also showed off his leg on a 62-yard boot in the second half. The difference between Baringer and Corliss Waitman seemed dramatic.

6. Keion White

Oh baby, oh baby! The second round pick showed why he should have been a first round pick. He was a man among boys. HIs signature play came in the second quarter when the Texans’ running back muffed a toss, and White made a bee-line and nailed the running back before he could recover the ball allowing the Patriots to recover the fumble. White was  a disruptive force on several other plays. “The Hitman” (I am giving him this nickname due to his stoic killer attitude) is going to be fun to watch this year.

7. Isaiah Bolden

Bolden took over for Christian Gonzalez and did an admirable job at cornerback. Where he raised some eyebrows was on a kickoff return which he almost took to the house. He caught the kick on the run at the 5-yard line and streaked across the field and almost split through a couple defenders before being taken down at the 32-yard line. If the 7th-round pick, who was a top kick returner in college, can flash more at kick returner, he could sneak onto the 53-man roster.

8. Malik Cunningham

Here we go - the story of the game! Cunningham will be the talk of talk radio until the Patriots play their next game. He was electric at quarterback when he came in in the fourth quarter. The Patriots may have never seen a quarterback this dynamic … ever. Hyperbole? I'm not so sure. The Patriots didn’t pursue Lamar Jackson this offseason, but watching Cunningham in the fourth quarter showed Patriots’ fans what could have been. The Patriots signed Cunningham as an undrafted free agent with the hopes of converting him to wide receiver. Not many teams thought Cunningham could play QB at the NFL level. After last night’s game, it is amazing that no one drafted him. There is no way teams will make the same mistake twice and allow Cunningham to sneak onto the Patriots’ practice squad. Cunningham will have to make the 53-man squad, and that means farewell to Trace McSorley.