5 takeaways from the preparatory victory of the Patriots on the Panthers



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COMMENT

Five takeaways from the Patriots' 10-3 show outweighed the Panthers, a win that was not as clean and clear as other pre-game games, but featured a no-injury appearance by Tom Brady …

BRADY IN SYNCHRONIZATION WITH DORSETT, BUT NOT MEYERS

As usual during his career, Brady participated in the third preparatory game of the Patriots. He led the first three playoffs in New England, scoring 12 assists and completing eight for a total of 75 yards. He also ran three meters, briefly sinking the area's collective hearts as he dipped so the scorer could convert a third goal. He looked calm, comfortable and ready for the regular season.

There is no reason for Brady to play in the fourth pre-season game – unless the coaches identify the need to have more match officials with his receivers, given how different the Pats staff might be at the opening night and how he seemed to disagree with him. Promising rookie Jakobi Meyers on Thursday.

Of Brady's four failings, one was for Benjamin Watson. The other three were launched on Meyers, whose three goals have really made him a rookie for the first time this season. The first goal was the first third downhill try of New England, when Brady shot a deep shot in the direction of Meyers, but the ball landed a full 15 yards as the receiver stopped his way instead of try to go for safety.

Brady tried to get back to Meyers in the first game of the next round, but as the pair was not on the same page, Brady's throw was slightly behind his target and bounced off Meyers' hands. Later, Meyers did not cut his fairly flat course as he headed towards the middle of the field, and the cornerback who covered was able to reach and shoot him down.

Add to that a call for funds that canceled a beautiful round of Sony Michel – which looked spectacular for much of his 10-story cameo – and it was not an encouraging evening for those who have come to project Meyers as a big part of the patriots' pass game. In comparison, Phillip Dorsett caught the seven assists. His contrast is clear: at this point, the quarterback has more confidence in the guy who has been around for two years much more than the guy looking to make the club for the first time.

Julian Edelman is dressed against the Panthers and should be back soon. Josh Gordon and Demaryius Thomas could do it. Dorsett's seven catches on Thursday helped her qualify. Meyers also belongs to what he showed at training camp – but before he is ready to rely on him, Brady and himself seem to have a little more work to do.

GOSTKOWSKI LACKED AGAIN WITH BAILEY HOLDING

Jake Bailey's impressive shots were impressive enough to earn him a spot in the fifth round of the April draft, and to supplant Super Bowl hero Ryan Allen as a punter for the Pats. But there is a growing concern that Bailey is replacing Allen's other role for the Pats in recent seasons. This is the role of the holder of Stephen Gostkowski's field trials.

Gostkowski missed a 43-yard try on Thursday, failing to convert a three-pointer for the third consecutive game. On the first, Allen was the holder – but Bailey has been the holder ever since. The last one should have been a virtual gift, coming from midfield one night when the weather was not a factor, but Allen put the ball in the back of the head, the laces facing Gostkowski's right foot. It does not take a pet detective to recognize that it was a mistake.

Bailey and Gostkowski traded against a fourth-quarter chip that went off smoothly, and the pair also managed to score an extra point in the first period. But it is a situation that deserves to be monitored – and that could possibly be taken into account in the decision of other lists.

After Stidham showed up at Brady on Thursday and he played relatively well, there are questions as to whether the Pats will keep two quarters or three. It should be noted, and perhaps could play in his favor, that Brian Hoyer has limited experience as a licensee, dating back to his days in Cleveland. If coaches do not feel comfortable enough to trust beginners or be the only quarter behind Brady, Hoyer may still be able to stay in both areas.

ROTATIONS LOADED IN THE SEVEN FRONT

It was not just Brady who had attended the games for the first time in the pre-season – and not only seeing the defense of the first team on the field highlight the depth of the first seven, but Thursday night, suggested that the Patats intended to use their depth fully to keep this talent fresh.

Belichick and his staff frequently and heavily rotated the staff along the defensive line and even at the linebacker level while the main unit was on the ground against the Panthers, stirring up recruits and veterans while moving the players with regularity.

Rookie Chase Winovich started on the line, while fellow freshman Byron Cowart played for the second time in a row. At the other end of the spectrum, Michael Bennett made his debut as a patriot and was fired. Kyle Van Noy also crushed Cam Newton by burning his blocker at the turn, and Adam Butler made a statement by crushing the center quarterback.

At one point, the third and third ends, New England showed a four-man line in which Winovich and Bennett were the ends, followed by linebacker Dont'a Hightower and Jamie Collins. Elandon Roberts, Ja'Whaun Bentley, Danny Shelton and Deatrich Wise Jr. were also in the game.

Wise was still in the third quarter, as was Cowart and veteran Mike Pennel. Signed away from the Jets this spring, Pennel played for the second time in a row with a defense that appeared to be that of the third Pats team, which could suggest that he is fighting for a job. This may not be a reproach against him, but a testament to the breadth of quality players around him.

SITUATION CHUNG IMPACTE BROOKS, MAYBE HARMON

It must be remembered that although Patrick Chung is charged with possession of cocaine in New Hampshire on Thursday, his charge for an incident in June was announced on August 8th. That meant it had happened before the Patriots' second preseason game, when Chung was in uniform, on the sideline, and apparently acting almost like a coaching player.

Thus, at least as long as the legal proceedings are going on, Chung's situation will not affect football decisions as much as his physical condition. (He wears a contactless jersey recently and has not played in the pre-season.) When the defense of the first Pats team took the field on Thursday night, it was Terrence Brooks in what was always been in Chung's box. role of security, and trying to pass the physicality of the secondary.

This bodes well for Brooks' chances of being part of the team. Chung's evolving status could also erase some of the writing on the wall that suggests Duron Harmon might be a candidate for surprise. Harmon was the odd member of the Pats Super Bowl game plan last season, and then started each of the first two pre-season games this summer, mostly with guys competing for places. New England could save more than $ 2 million in maximum salary space if it decides to keep Duke Dawson or leave Jonathan Jones at the helm and reduce Harmon, although he is a leader , a respected veteran and if Chung ends up facing discipline, he could win more at Pats than this money would be.

To his credit, Harmon also made a nice open-air stick to allow the New England defense to leave the field in the first round on Thursday night.

INJURIES ARISE, BUT SEEMS SURVIVABLE

As a so-called dress rehearsal, the third preseason game may be the most grueling for fans as it represents the biggest risk to a team's most powerful talent to hurt themselves in an exhibition competition.

The Pats had been relatively unprepared for the first two preseason games – this statement partly depends on the fate of Keal Harry's first-round pick this season – but there were some scares in Match 3. Van Noy stayed on the floor during a match. little with apparent illness in the leg after firing Newton in the first quarter, but he came back after jogging. Watson was the recipient of a last stroke of Eric Reid and was immediately in a state that made Meyers call for the help of coaches, but he nodded to the crowd as he & # 39; He went alone to the cloakroom. Rookie Damien Harris was withdrawn after receiving medical attention following his second report.

The biggest shot seemed to be taken to Brandon King, a special team that covered a punt when his leg gave way. He needed to be taken off the field after being met in the middle of the field by around 20 teammates. King was likely to be part of the team, given Belichick's adoration for special teams. So, if his injury is as serious as it originally appeared, the chances of players like Nate Ebner or Brandon Bolden coming out in September increase.

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