After a 36-20 victory in the Big Easy, the New England Patriots are back to where we thought they would be. It was a long 10 day break after a wildly disappointing season opener versus Kansas City, but now all is well again in Foxboro. Here are some of my take aways from yesterdays win:
- Tom Brady, is in fact, not done yet. There was some chirping about if the 40 year old quarter back may finally be on the decline, but 477 yards
and 3 touchdowns later it’s safe to say he’s still, somehow, at the top of his game. Despite missing 3 key receivers Brady moved the ball around well, was very efficient and looked calm cool and collected in the pocket. Should be in store for another great season by TB12. - James White is ready to become a star in this league. He is well renowned throughout New England for his heroic Super Bowl 51 performance, but yesterday he showed how dep
endable he can be for Tom Brady. White saw just two carries for 11 yards but reeled in 8 catches for 85 yards and was a key contributor to the teams victory. With the lack of depth and injuries at the receiver position, White was Brady’s go to look on several big passing downs. Perhaps the most impressive thing for James White yesterday was what Tom Brady had to say about him in the post game press conference:
“Every time [White] touches the ball it’s important,” said Brady. “He’s just so dependable and consistent and hard-working and tough, and just shows up to work every day just doing the job the best he can with the best attitude. He’s team-first all the time. He’s just a great teammate. And I’ve played with a lot of great teammates, and James is right there at the top. I just love his effort. I love his style.” via CBS Boston
- It was great to see Rob Gronkowski back torturing defende
rs as well. Gronk finished the day with 6 catches, 116 yards and a touchdown. He did leave the game in the second half, as we all began to hold our breathes, but Gronk’s groin injury is not believed to serious, and after the game Gronk simply smiled, and told reporters, “I’m good.”
- The two young defensive linemen played fantastic for New England yesterday as well, those men being Deatrich Wise Jr and Adam Butler. Butler looked very comfortable yesterday, playing close to 70% of the defensive snaps, while Wise, who played just 43% of the snaps, absolutely dominated. He finished the game with the team’s lone sack, and tacked on 5 quarterback hits and 2 tackles for losses. It appears as though the 4th round draft pick will be a key contributor to this defense going forward.
The boys return home to Foxboro this week to take on a familiar foe in the Houston Texans (1-1). I believe New England has moved on from their poor performance and week one, and is back to where they belong, the AFC’s very best team.
#OnToHouston
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