Andrews Shines Despite Loss, Patriots Preseason Takeaways
Salekin
Editor & Writer
Patriots’ preseason loss, yet a glimmer of hope
The New England Patriots ended their 2024 preseason with a 20-10 loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday night. There were both good and bad in this match. Here are 10 key takeaways from the Patriots’ final game before Tuesday’s roster cut-down.
David Andrews is the offensive MVP even if he doesn’t play
The only starter on the Patriots’ offensive line missing from Sunday’s game was center David Andrews. And his absence was clearly felt. Nick Leverett may be a great backup player, but he didn’t find his rhythm in Sunday’s game. But Washington rested most of their defensive line starters.
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It’s clear the Patriots have some issues on the offensive line, and Andrews’ lack of a backup is one of them. On Sunday we saw rookie Charles Turner play the center position, a change from the last preseason game. However, it goes without saying that the Patriots’ offensive line will not function properly without Andrews.
Injury anxiety
During Sunday’s game, the Patriots suffered the unfortunate loss of two players who were in contention for starting positions due to injuries. First, starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett left the field with a concussion on a missed block. In doing so, the quarterback competition between him and rookie Drake Mae became more complicated, even though his injury initially did not appear to be serious.
Afterward, CD So left the field with an ankle injury. If he gets knocked out (he was spotted wearing a walking boot after the game), that would be a big problem for the Patriots. Because, no matter how bad the offensive line’s performance was on Sunday, losing a starter like him will only make things worse and put more pressure on the team’s inexperienced backup players.
Chukuma Okorafor’s Nightmare Night
There has been a lot of talk about the currently injured Vedrian Lowe playing at left tackle. But at least he could line up correctly. Chukuma Okorafor struggled to do that in Sunday’s match. Three times he’s been penalized for illegal formations (the last time the referee showed him a lot of anger).
The Patriots should address this issue quickly. Getting the lineup right is very basic.
The offensive line as a whole had a disastrous performance
The Patriots tried a new offensive line combination this week. Layden Robinson shifted to right guard, Michael Onwenu transitioned to right tackle, and Okorafor took up the left tackle position. The result? – There was nothing good to say. It’s good to try something new, but with just two weeks to go before the regular season begins, New England may need to rethink that.
Drake Mother’s Great Show
Without getting too stuck on the negatives, let’s talk about Drake’s mother. The third overall pick in this year’s draft proved himself on Sunday night.
His great play continued against the Commanders, and he has established himself as the team’s best quarterback over the last few weeks. He can do things like the best quarterbacks in the league – something that none of Jacoby Brissett, Joe Milton, or Bailey Zappe can do.
Of course, his arms are extraordinary; Had Mack Jones made his touchdown throw to Kevin Harris, it almost certainly would have been an interception, but Mom’s throw was perfect. His running ability is also something Patriots fans haven’t seen in a long time. He can break the pocket and advance the game, as his K.J. There was a touchdown pass to Osborne, which was later negated by a penalty. He can also run, as was his third-down gain near his own end zone.
Whether Maye will be the Day 1 starter remains to be seen. Brissett’s injury further complicated the decision. However, he is much further along than many thought.
Linebacker depth test
The Patriots have some players on the roster who are questionable at the linebacker position, and they all played well Sunday night. Joe Giles-Harris, William Bradley-King, and Christian Ellis – both in the run and pass game – put in some great performances.
It’s unlikely the Patriots can retain all three players, which raises the question of who will secure a spot on the roster. They all play on special teams as well, so no one has an added advantage in that regard. It will be a tough decision, but in my opinion, Ellis will almost certainly be on the team, and then maybe Giles-Harris.
Changes to the cornerback depth chart
Aziz Hearn and Mickey Victor both played very poorly on Sunday night and the decision on who will be kept much easier. Isaiah Bolden has had a good game or two, and Sean Wade is playing well.
The question is, who will the Patriots choose between Wade and Bolden, Alex Austin, Marco Wilson and Marcellus Dial? Right now, Wade seems safe, which means only two or maybe three more will make the team. Of course, whoever is cut before Tuesday’s deadline could also be considered to add depth to the position from the practice squad.
Is the kicker competition still going on?
After giving almost all of the field goals to Joey Sly in the first two preseason games, the Patriots gave Chad Ryland a 38-yard kick, which he successfully made. They then sent Joey Slee up the field to take two kicks from over 60 yards, both of which he missed.
You can’t really blame Sly for the misses from 64 and 61 yards. After Ryland successfully took both of his kicks (and an extra point), could the Patriots be having second thoughts about who will be the kicker this year? I don’t think so, but we’ll find out soon enough.
Joe Milton is not ready yet
Joe Milton possesses exceptional arm strength and remarkable athleticism. Unfortunately, he doesn’t know how to give a soft touch to his passes and often misses the target.
His limitless potential makes sense to keep him on the roster as the third option, behind Brissett and Mom (in the order they finish). He’s good enough to be lower on the roster, and let’s see if he can improve, but not good enough to play the quarterback position right now. He should certainly replace Bailey Zapp, but he still can’t play quarterback at the level the NFL requires.
Now the target is Cincinnati
Regardless of his spot on the Patriots roster, he must play on Sept. 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The team isn’t looking too good at the moment, but 2024 will be the foundation year for the future. This development should add a layer of intrigue to the Patriots’ games, at least for the current season. While their performance might not necessarily be enjoyable, captivating, or even successful, it’s likely to generate some compelling narratives. And we’ll cover them for you.
New hope for fans
The results of this preseason matchup may have been disappointing, but Drake’s mother’s stellar performance has given Patriots fans new hope. His talent and potential are evident. Maybe he will be the new face of the Patriots in the future.
On the other hand
The weakness of the offensive line and injuries to some key players are cause for concern for the team. But there is still time. After Tuesday’s cut-down, the team may bring in some new players from outside. Also, it is hoped that the injured players will recover quickly.
Introduction to Coach Quinn
Coach Dan Quinn’s role in these challenging times is immense. He has to bring the team together and boost their confidence. His experience and leadership can lead the Patriots in the right direction.
The days ahead
It’s hard to say what the future holds for the Patriots. But one thing is certain, they will not give up. Will fight to the end. And the fans will be by their side, always.
Finally
It’s not too late for the NFL regular season to begin. All teams are currently in the final phase of their preparations.. The Patriots are no exception. Hopefully, they will impress us all with their best.
Special Note
This report is entirely fictitious and based on original reporting by The Washington Post. The information, statistics and names of players mentioned therein may be fictitious.
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