Patriots lose pre-season game to Baltimore Ravens, 16-15
The New England Patriots offense looked very out of synch in their opening 2008 pre-season game against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, and the defense looked only a bit better, in part, I imagine because the visiting team’s offense wasn’t much to brag about either.
Ravens won 16-15 after the Patriots failed to convert a two-point attempt late in the fourth quarter.
With several key starters missing it was hardly surprising that the Patriots offense produced little more than miscues and blown assignments. Franchise quarterback Tom Brady didn’t play, nor did wide receiver Randy Moss.
Considering the shape the Patriots are in right now there’s no wonder head coach Bill Belichick decided to do without this year’s new technological marvel, speakers in the helmet of one defensive player on the field. The Patriots had too much to worry about it without adding that distraction.
To some extent the sloppy played can be blamed on the wet and slick field, but mostly it was no doubt a matter of players not yet ready to play full-speed games.
Here are some quick impressions from tonight’s game:
Wide receiver and 2007 second round draft pick Chad Jackson stinks. He has bad hands and can’t run routes. He is a bust.
Billy Yates, backup interior offensive lineman started in place of Stephen Neal and had a rough, rough night. He was repeatedly beaten inside or pushed around by the Ravens’ defensive linemen. He was flagged for holding on one play. I’ve never seen Yates so over matched before. Heck, I’ve never seen him over matched before.
Back up interior offensive lineman Dan Connolloy also had a terrible night. Maybe he’s just inexperienced or maybe he’s just bad. Time will tell I guess. His shotgun snapping lacks zip and accuracy, he doesn’t understand the Patriots pass protection scheme very well and he screwed up an exchange with third string quarterback Matt Gutierrez that resulted in a turnover. Gutierrez and Connolly screwed up a snap in camp two Sundays ago so there seems to be a problem there.
[8/12: My apologies, it was Ryan Wendell who was the center. Connolly played right guard on that play.]
Nick Kaczur had a decent night at left tackle but was beaten once inside on a pass play.
I thought offensive tackle Wesley Britt played fairly well. He’s coming along.
Offensive tackle Pete McMahon played well enough for me to look forward to his performance in the next game. The right tackle spot is a bit of an uncertainty because of Kaczur’s legal situation.
Runningback Laurence Maroney didn’t have much of a chance since the offensive line was a bit of a mess personnel wise, but he did show both his strength – speed – and his weakness – poor decision making on the field.
Gutierrez threw a solid high-velocity downfield pass to Jabar Gaffney but he also tossed a weak pass that was intercepted.
Matt Cassel started the game and, like Gutierrez, did a mostly okay job considering the weakened state of the offensive line and the receiver corps. Rookie Kevin O’Connell did what rookie quarterbacks like to do in pre-season games, he used his above average speed to make some plays against aspiring scrubs.
Outside linebacker Pierre Woods got a lot of snaps in Mike Vrabel’s absence and looked better than he did at this time last year, but he was by no means spectacular, and, I would argue, did not pose much of a problem for Baltimore in the early part of the game. Woods seemed stronger against the run than as a pass rusher. He did seem to exhibit good awareness and recognition.
Outside linebacker Shawn Crable made an interception that illustrates why Baltimore is looking to replace its quarterback Kyle Boller. Crable was lined up wide near the line of scrimmage that made it obvious even to someone watching the game on TV that he would drop back. Boller, apparently incapable of reading telegrams, threw right into his hands. It was a terrible pass.
The tenth pick of the draft, inside linebacker Jerod Mayo, had a solid game in which he displayed athleticism, football instincts, speed, and a desire to hit the ball carrier really hard. His highlight play was knocking the helmet off a runningback but what really stood out about the play was how Mayo maintained position and did not react until it was time to react. He’s going to be a starter, maybe even by the time the regular season begins.
Penny back Ray Ventrone was given the opportunity to do a little bit of everything and he aquitted himself well without being particularly impressive. He probably won’t make the first 53-man roster but he’ll eventually rejoin the team later in the season. He’s the kind of hard-working do-anything type of player who sticks around.
