First preseason game against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night was a somewhat dull affair for the New England Patriots to start the Jerod Mayo era. It could seem that there isn’t much to learn from the game since the majority of the starting players for both sides didn’t play much, if at all.
That is incorrect, however. Now for everything we learnt from the Patriots’ 17-3 victory.
A majority of the Panthers’ starters did not play, and they are a bad club overall, therefore defence wins out. Despite everything, it was still evident how good the Patriots were at stopping the run. Having just two of Carolina’s 14 third-down conversions allowed them to consistently leave the field, they finished with five sacks.
Two of the team’s finest players were absent since neither Christian Barmore nor Matthew Judon felt well enough to participate. It didn’t matter; the Patriots controlled the whole game and produced a number of noteworthy plays.
Coach Jerod Mayo said after the game, “They play with a lot of energy.” Overall, we were the most physically demanding team on the pitch today, in my opinion. Both the offensive and defensive lines are in the lead as it begins up front. Those players performed really well, in my opinion.
This defence is going to be the only thing keeping this rebuilding Patriots squad successful this season. The new coordinator DeMarcus Covington’s team could be competitive again this year if Thursday night is any guide. The early results were promising even if the Panthers game doesn’t demonstrate how good they are.
Playing time queries: It should be possible to see players in competitive settings throughout the preseason. Bailey Zappe received seven series and saw action on 36 of 65 offensive plays, which is a substantial majority of all quarterbacks. It seems like the Patriots lost that chance by playing him for an extended period of time.
This is a guy that seems to require as many repetitions as possible, and the fact that the club only gave Drake Maye one drive is insufficient. Additionally, it detracts from the performance of the receivers. Being a third-string offensive player, Zappe is limited in his ability to do certain tasks that Maye and Joe Milton can perform. Consider what the children are capable of. Why play Zappe for so long when there’s nothing worth it?
As Jerod Mayo said after the game, “It was about opportunity.” Opportunity played a key role. Zappe stepped outside and showed that he had previously won NFL games. It was a fantastic idea, in my opinion, to bring Joe in at the right moment when we needed a spark.
With a 12-for-20 total and 108 yards, Zappe wrapped up the game. Drake Maye was 2 for 3 for 19 yards, Joe Milton was 4 for 6 for 54 yards and a score, and starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett was 0 for 3 for yards.
It doesn’t seem very logical to use a quarterback that way. Zappe’s seven series makes less sense than even Brissett’s multi-series performance. It would be reasonable to expect the Patriots to take some time to gel as a unit given their recent offensive changes and large roster additions.
However, from that perspective, what the Patriots accomplished on Thursday night was peculiar.
Coach Judon: On Thursday night, even though Matthew Judon didn’t play a snap, his influence was felt. During an outside run, he was captured inside by the CBS cameras coaching up teammate edge defender Oshane Ximines. For that reason alone, the Patriots should want to retain Judon because it is the kind of leadership that they are looking for in a player.
The intention is that he and the group will be able to move beyond the previous issues and agree on a new deal.
Oshane Ximines: The Patriots signed Oshane Ximines unseen this summer. In his first game action on Thursday night, he performed really well, and he soon gave the impression that he may be a component for the squad throughout training camp. He wasn’t playing against a complete starting offensive line, so it should be noted, but it was encouraging to see him perform well.
ALSO READ:
They may have someone like Keion White go in now that Christian Barmore is out for the foreseeable future. The fact that Ximines are present implies that in such case, they would also have a lot of outside depth.
Second-year player Kayshon Boutte is one of the players vying for a position at wide receiver, where the bottom of the depth chart is completely up in the air. A high-point catch on third down after a pass from Bailey Zappe was one of Boutte’s many excellent plays in the first half.
Of course, there was more bad news: in the second half, he also failed on two third-down throws that would have been opening plays. Both of the receptions were rather difficult, but if he wants to compete for a roster spot, he has to demonstrate that he can make them times.
Another position where there is some competition at the bottom of the depth chart is linebacker, where Joe Giles-Harris performs well. When playing against Carolina, Joe Giles-Harris put up a compelling argument to be one of the last players added to the team. He seemed to be a confident tackler and was aggressive with his hands, stopping many passes.
Players like Giles-Harris may have a legitimate chance of making the club if they can meet the necessary preseason requirements since the Patriots’ off-the-ball depth is not fixed beyond Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, and a still-injured Sione Takitaki. In Thursday’s case, the 27-year-old did.
Vederian Lowe has taken Caedan Wallace’s spot in the starting lineup this week. Wallace, a third-round rookie, had been practicing with the first team offence at right tackle and later left tackle throughout training camp. After being acquired by the club late in the preseason, Lowe had a difficult debut season with the Patriots in 2023. Thursday night’s outcomes were very similar.
At left tackle, Wallace, on the other hand, seemed to be in good form. He actually seemed to struggle more when he moved to right tackle, but in order to secure the team’s left tackle spot—which is still very much up in the air—it could be time to bring him back to the starting lineup.
Flashes from undrafted rookie receiver David Wallis: On Thursday night, the Patriots’ regular punt returners were not available, but Wallis capitalised. He seemed to be moving easily there and had a couple good returns. Along with running a kickoff back 24 yards, he gained 36 yards overall on two punt returns.
Can he make the roster on that alone, particularly at his competitive main position of wide receiver (19 offensive snaps without a target)? Though it’s unlikely, it may put him on the practice squad, giving him a chance to fight for a roster place in 2025 or perhaps be called up at some time this year.
The bazooka Joe Milton: Drake Maye, who only saw one series, proved to be a reliable option when the Patriots eventually allowed one of their rookie quarterbacks play deep into the game. Sixth-round pick Joe Milton looked like he made some very smart choices when he had the ball in his hands. He wasn’t scared to create some plays with his legs and wasn’t pushing passes.
“I think the team and the coaches have worked really hard to get us to where we need to be, particularly at quarterback,” Milton said after the game. “Getting the details just right is a big deal to the OC, Coach [Alex Van Pelt], T.C. McCartney, and Ben McAdoo.” When your feet lead you in a direction that seems off, you should be able to follow them and move on if your eyes don’t match.
“Trusting the guidance, the men in your immediate vicinity, and the information they are imparting is thus essential. just being here and absorbing everything.
While he was moving in the pocket, Milton maintained his eyes downfield, even if playing against the Panthers’ third-string defence undoubtedly aided him. For the Patriots to have him start as the third-string quarterback going into next week’s game, it seems that he has performed well enough.
Eagles visit: On Tuesday, the Eagles will have a joint practice in town before they face the Patriots at home on Thursday. Practice this Thursday might be even more crucial than the match; we should see the first teams play against each other, something that might not occur in the exhibition match, based on how the team handled those joint sessions under Jerod Mayo’s former head coach, Bill Belichick.
When the practice begins on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. ET, attempt to make it out to Gillette Stadium. Seeing how the Patriots perform against a top-tier club is a fantastic opportunity. Guys may have a great chance to prove that they belong on the roster this season, and the mood should be high.