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6 Takeaways From Patriots' Preseason Draw With Colts
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. The New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts played to a 13-13 tie in their preseason matchup at Gillette Stadium on Thursday.
Drake Maye, Christian Gonzalez, AJ Brown, and just about everyone else you would have hoped to see for the home team were relegated to cheerleading duties, but there was still plenty to gather from the contest.
Tommy DeVito played pretty well after being named starting quarterback for the night. Kindle Vildor thrust himself into the conversation for a roster spot with an interception. Andy Borregales’ three missed field goals dampened the vibes inside the walls at One Patriot Place.
Borregales finished just 2-for-5 on his field goal attempts on Thursday — making from 40 and 52, and missing from 56, 55, and 49.
It’s probably unfair to paint those latter three distances as easily makable kicks, but that didn’t stop head coach Mike Vrabel.
“I don't have a message. We're expected to make them,” Vrabel said . “That's pro football. You know, they're banging them in from 60 yards. They got two kickers on the roster, so Andy knows we have to make those field goals."
The Patriots won’t do anything drastic at the position, but ice is wearing thin for the incumbent kicker. New England was down to backup long snapper Niko Lalos following an injury to Julian Ashby, but the sophomore kicker isn't using the personnel changes as an excuse.
“Just gotta go back and watch the film and be better,” Borregales said , per CLNS’ Mike Kadlick.
New England defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr was thrust into action last season, learning on the fly as he called plays for the very first time just three years into becoming a defensive assistant coach -- with the crash course leading to an over reliance on simulated pressure/blitz schemes that eventually came back to haunt them in the Super Bowl.
It's safe to say that's just who he is...
The Patriots not only dialed up the pressure in their first preseason contest, but continuously ran stunts and games on the defensive line that forced four turnovers out of Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson and Riley Leonard — suggesting plenty more once the regular season comes around.
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is going to call for a lot of slants this season!
AJ Brown, Mack Hollins, and Kayshon Boutte -- all of whom stand at least 6-foot and weigh at least 200 pounds -- will likely be the primary targets during the regular season, but with the night off they were replaced by the likes of Kobe Prentice, Tejhaun Palmer, and Nick DeGennaro.
I’d imagine the former three will have more success than the latter three did…
New England’s wide receiver room has plenty of size and speed, which will lead to the increase in quick game concepts as the organization put an emphasis on keeping the quarterback clean.
Jam Miller is your new leader in the clubhouse to become third-string running back behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
Miller ran well between the tackles to average 3.9 yards per carry on the night, and received roster lock treatment by being pulled after just a few series. Lan Larison, Hassan Haskins, and JaMycal Hasty, on the other hand, played well into the fourth quarter and combined to average a putrid 1.6 yards per carry.
New England’s best shot at maintaining depth would require rostering one of the two first-year players (Miller or Larison) and hoping to retain a veteran (Haskins or Hasty) on the practice squad. It’ll certainly be easier to squeeze two recent free agents through than two youngsters.
It’s Miller’s job to lose as of the first preseason contest.
Brown, Boutte, Romeo Doubs and DeMario Douglas did not play on Thursday, which means they’re all but guaranteed to make the roster. Hollins is close to being a lock.
Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III seemingly have to earn their way, but there appear to be spots for both.
Williams is a former second-round pick who adds an element of speed that no one else on the roster has. Chism was playing every week toward the end of last season and has improved during training camp.
New England is rather light at running back and tight end, so perhaps that makes room for seven wide receivers.
If not, the upper hand in that battle goes to Williams.
Ben Brown and Andrew Rupcich, the two top backup options on the interior offensive line, both went down with injuries on Thursday.
“He wasn’t able to return unfortunately," Vrabel said following the game when asked about Brown's status. "We’ll evaluate, hopefully know more in the morning. I don’t think it’s anything too serious, but I also don’t want to speculate until we’re able to do some more tests.”
The Patriots are extremely thin on the interior, with the depth chart featuring mostly rookies and former undrafted free agents. Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson, and Mike Onwenu, the starting trio, all have a history of missing significant time, so there may be some thought put into bringing options in from the outside.
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