A bit peek.
That’s all of the Patriots supplied prying public eyes Friday as they unveiled their new beginning offense throughout their 20-10 preseason win over Carolina. Mac Jones directed three drives that lined 16 whole performs, roughly one-third of which featured two tight ends. Last yr, the Pats used two-tight finish personnel groupings on 14% of their offensive performs, one of many lowest figures within the league.
The Patriots additionally executed two RPOs, referred to as play-action passes after dialing up zero final week versus the Giants and loved one other breakout efficiency from a backup receiver who’s all of the sudden pushing for a roster spot.
What else?
Here are the Herald’s full movie observations from Friday night time:
Offense
- Overall, Mac Jones wasn’t removed from sharp, however the chief lesson from Friday night time is the Patriots’ offensive successes and struggles had been similar to what they’ve proven in coaching camp. When Jones has been protected, the passing recreation normally operates easily. When he’s below duress, there’s bother.
- Case in level: the sack James Ferentz allowed on third down that killed the opening drive.
- The exceptions had been Jones’ overthrow for Jakobi Meyers and misfire to Rhamondre Stevenson on the second sequence, which resulted in one other three-and-out. Then, the Patriots obtained rolling.
- Jones hit Meyers on a bubble display screen RPO towards a blitz, then Nelson Agholor on a third-down cease path to beat one other blitz.
- Four performs later, Jones returned to Agholor for a 45-yard bomb down the left sideline, a wonderfully protected play.
- On this identical sequence, Ty Montgomery transformed one third down as a receiver and completed the drive with back-to-back carries that lined six yards and scored six factors. Montgomery’s capacity to modify seamlessly from pass-catching again to wideout is one thing the workers appears intent on weaponizing for 2-minute drills.
- Lil’Jordan Humphrey, one other veteran wideout, has been the rightful discuss of preseason, nevertheless it’s notable he’s caught only one first-half move in two video games. More work to be performed for the massive slot receiver, who blocked extraordinarily effectively Friday.
- Up entrance, Mike Onwenu kicked out from proper guard to proper sort out, his greatest place as a rookie in 2020, and pass-blocked exceptionally effectively. At left sort out, Yodny Cajuste surrendered only one stress in 27 pass-blocking snaps.
- Brian Hoyer changed Mac Jones below middle, however performed only one sequence and allowed Bailey Zappe to complete the sport. Zappe’s interception was a horrible determination, however he’s constantly throwing a dwell ball, together with his intermediate accuracy particularly standing out.
- Broken tackles: Stevenson 2, Meyers 2, Kevin Harris 2, Damien Harris, Montgomery, Tyquan Thornton, Pierre Strong
- Sacks allowed: Team, Ferentz
- QB hits allowed: Cole Strange
- Hurries allowed: Yodny Cajuste, Arlington Hambright, Chasen Hines, Drew Desjarlais, Ferentz
- Run-stuffs allowed: Team
- Penalties: J.J. Taylor (false begin), Matt Sokol (holding, Josh Hammond (holding), Strange (false begin), Ferentz (pointless roughness), Cajuste (false begin), Desjarlais (false begin)
- Drops: DeVante Parker, Tre Nixon, J.J. Taylor, Hammond
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Defense
- The Patriots opened in 3-4 personnel, with defensive linemen Lawrence Guy, Davon Godchaux and Christian Barmore, linebackers Matt Judon, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai and Anfernee Jennings and defensive backs Devin McCourty, Adrian Phillips, Jalen Mills and Jonathan Jones beginning.
- On the following snap, the Patriots pivoted to what must be their new “base” protection: a three-cornerback nickel bundle. Deatrich Wise, Raekwon McMillan and Myles Bryant changed Jennings, Tavai and Barmore.
- Jennings and Tavai had been the 2 outlier starters. Tavai performed the opening sequence and later returned late within the second half. Both determine to be secure come cutdown day, contemplating Belichick’s public feedback about Tavai factoring this season on protection and particular groups, and Jennings’ stellar camp.
- The Patriots’ preliminary third-down bundle, a dime personnel grouping, featured move rushers Judon, Barmore, Wise and Josh Uche, with linebacker McMillan and three safeties (McCourty, Phillips and Kyle Dugger) and three cornerbacks (Mills, Jones and Myles Bryant) behind them.
- With Jonathan Jones at exterior nook, Bryant took the entire main nickelback snaps over third-round rookie Marcus Jones. They had been splitting these reps in joint follow.
- The Panthers examined Jonathan Jones deep twice, however each fell incomplete. Jones allowed only one catch for seven yards.
- McCourty, Judon, Bentley, Guy, Godchaux and Mills hit the bench after three sequence. Bentley performed the perfect of that bunch, tallying six tackles over three sequence, together with a terrific TFL on a display screen move.
- Jonathan Jones quickly adopted them to the sideline, permitting Shaun Wade and Terrance Mitchell to take over exterior earlier than fourth-round rookie nook Jack Jones.
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- Wade owes Panthers backup quarterback P.J. Walker a present basket for his interception, however Wade has performed effectively on each preseason video games. Mitchell allowed one catch on 4 targets, and was whistled for move interference.
- Once Bentley left, Mack Wilson relayed play calls to the protection, whereas McMillan made pre-snap checks. McMillan allowed a pair catches, however the workers appears to belief him in protection and as a pacesetter in the course of the protection.
- On the opposite hand, second-year inside linebacker Cameron McGrone continues to look misplaced. His play has not matched expectations this summer season.
- Up entrance, the Patriots predictably punked a weak Carolina O-line. Jennings led all gamers with 4 pressures, whereas Ronnie Perkins bounced again from a so-so preseason opener with three pressures.
- Sixth-round rookie defensive lineman Sam Roberts performed 27 snaps however did not register a single hurry, QB hit or sack.
- Sacks: Wise, Uche, Jennings, Perkins, Daniel Ekuale, DaMarcus Mitchell
- QB hits: None
- Hurries: Jennings 3, Mitchell 2, McMillan 2, Judon, Perkins, Guy, Carl Davis
- Holds drawn: None
- Run stuffs: Roberts, Jeremiah Pharms. Jr.
- Interceptions: Wade, Brenden Schooler
- Pass deflections: Mack Wilson Sr.
- Missed tackles: Guy, McMillan, Wilson Sr., Jennings, Schooler, Devin Hafford, Jalen Elliott
- Penalties: Sam Roberts (offside), Barmore (roughing the passer), Mitchell (move interference), Godchaux (holding), Mitchell (unlawful use of arms)
Special groups
- Core veterans Matthew Slater, Justin Bethel and Cody Davis began on the kickoff, punt and punt return groups. The Patriots deployed second-stringers on their first kick return.
- Linebacker Raekwon McMillan and undrafted rookie security Brenden Schooler additionally began on three groups. Schooler recorded one in all 4 particular groups tackles and downed a punt at Carolina’s 3-yard line.
- That pinned punt was courtesy of backup receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey, whose diving save to maintain the punted ball from skipping into the top zone was one of many night time’s highlights.
- Second-year security Joshuah Bledsoe began on two particular groups items, a constructive signal for his probabilities of making the 53-man roster.
Advanced stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
Source: www.bostonherald.com