Earlier, starting defensive end Deatrich Wise had recorded a sack on his only snap of the game on a third-and-7 play. The Pats play without a nose tackle in this front, allowing their interior rushers to line up in the B-gaps with the two wide-nine ends. Wise uses a nice inside-out rush with a long-arm finisher to shorten the corner for the sack.
It’s interesting to see the Patriots use more four-down fronts in the preseason. But it’s not clear yet if they’ll play straight fronts on run downs. The Ximines clip came with 46 seconds left in the half, so while it was a first down, it wasn’t a run situation. The same goes for Wise’s sack on third down, which was clearly a pass.
If they decide to play more balanced fronts, you can expect a more penetrative defense that gives defenders the opportunity to get forward. We don’t want to jump to the conclusion that they’re phasing out two-gapping, but we may see less of that this season.
Short film notes from Patriots-Panthers
– Rookie WRs Ja’Lynn Polk (20 routes, three catches, 14 yards) and Javon Baker (22 routes, two catches, 11 yards) ran a combined 42 routes on Thursday night. As you’d expect from their preseason debuts, the film was mediocre. Their route running needs to be refined, as they’ve struggled to get defenders off their pressure point and get cornerbacks to move forward to open running lanes under them. They need to push vertically with more urgency to free up defenders and be more efficient at the top of the route as well. The game will slow down for them eventually, but one would hope to see their routes become more refined in the future.
– Third-round OT Caedan Wallace had ups and downs. The early hip opening in his college film looks better. However, he was too slow to anchor twice and missed a running block by ducking his head into contact. His hand technique isn’t perfect yet. Wallace too often let attackers get to his chest by placing his hands wide instead of making a stiff inside shot. As a result, he had trouble controlling blocks and holding his own. Wallace looked better on the right side than as a left tackle, so he deserves some leniency while he gets used to the left side. His technique should improve with more reps as a left tackle.
– WR Kayshon Boutte ran some nice routes in this game, even off the ball. He has a knack for using the vertical stem on comebacks, stop routes and slant runs. His best route was the comebacker where he was able to get a little bit of a breakaway on a 16-yard pass. Boutte is doing everything he can to impress the coaching staff.
– OT Vederian Lowe played 17 snaps with a little more work compared to the other starters on the line. Lowe allowed a quarterback pressure and got beat on a zone block that led to a TFL, but overall it was better on film than watching live. Lowe’s low points are tough, but it’s not as bad as it seems when you look at the entire sample. He’s not Joe Thomas at his best, but you take that away from Lowe if he can cut down on the quick losses.
– Despite not practicing all week, OT Chuks Okorafor played 10 snaps and allowed one quarterback hurry in six pass-blocking snaps. Okorafor was slow to recognize a T/E stunt that led to pressure on Brissett and was given a false start. We need a larger sample size of Okorafor to judge his effectiveness.
– OT Calvin Anderson allowed two pressure situations in pass protection and was called for holding. Anderson’s comeback is a great story and his kick from his stance gives him a chance to counter attackers at the first point of attack. Perhaps there will be another gear for him when he feels more comfortable after a long layoff.
– Rookie G Layden Robinson led all Patriots offensive players with 45 snaps and allowed two hurries on 30 pass blocking snaps. That was really solid performance from Robinson at both guard positions. He creates movement with his combos and pulls while having a nifty snatch trap to immediately finish a rep in the passing game. Robinson continues to look good. One wonders if he gets time with the top unit at RG with Onwenu kicking out to RT.
– RB JaMycal Hasty wobbles a little when he gets out in the open. He has a nice, sliding style as a ball carrier that could add a scat-back element and become a key contributor on special teams.
– WR Tyquan Thornton’s release to his only target was sudden/bursting. His quickness off the line allowed him to reach top speed without much resistance. This was a legitimate go route.
– The Patriots’ search for a viable TE3 could keep them busy all summer. Mitchell Wilcox had a drop, a blocking error on a split-zone scheme (see above), a holding penalty and has struggled to win his run blocks. La’Michael Pettway gave up a rush on a play-action pass set and rookie Jaheim Bell is still getting going. Bell is still my favorite of this group. He looked quick on his 11-yard reception and held up well for the most part in the run game.
– It’s a night and day difference for Atonio Mafi at right guard versus center. He allowed a hurry on Thursday night but was effective in the run game at his natural position. I also think undrafted rookie OT Zuri Henry had some good moments in the run game.
– DT Jeremiah Pharms was outstanding: sack, four hurries, two run stuffs and two draw holds in consecutive games. He played with a three-technique rather than a true nose, as Christian Barmore likely would in the Pats defense. He is an energetic rusher with good playmaking strength, padding and enough lateral mobility to test the corners on the interior – and that’s improving.
– The only negative for Oshane Ximines was when he dove inside the left tackle on a running play, giving the back an opportunity to jump outside from his side. Ximines said it was a mental mistake as he expected S Brenden Schooler to replace him as a force defender so Ximines could break the line of scrimmage. Overall, Ximines was excellent against the Panthers (strip sack, three pressures, running stuff).
– One snap, one sack for DL Deatrich Wise. Nice little inside-out rush with a long-arm finisher to shorten the corner. Seemingly in midseason form. The Pats only had 10 players on the field for a third-and-7, though. Something Mayo’s team will have to clean up.
– Ranking CB4 participants by effectiveness: 1. Alex Austin 2. Marco Wilson 3. Shaun Wade 4. Isaiah Bolden. Austin has it coming here. Almost as if he heard the rumors that he had a disappointing training camp.
– Rookie CB Marcellas Dial was an avid tackler, recording five total tackles, including two on special teams. These are the things Dial needs to do to make the roster as a sixth-round pick.
– LB Christian Elliss had a sack, a QB hit and three stops. Elliss plays with a lot of energy and physicality and was an effective blitzer inside. There was one poor coverage exchange in a match zone, but Elliss could break into the roster as a key special teamer and linebacker down low – like Calvin Munson in years past.
– LB Joe Giles-Harris showed good instincts in clogging passing lanes with two passes blocked. In both cases, Giles-Harris joined the rush as a blitzer and got into the passing lane when he recognized the ball coming out before he could put pressure on the QB. Smart.
– QB pressures allowed: Wallace (2), Robinson (2), Henry (1), Okorafor (1), Diesch (1), Lowe (1), Mafi (1), Pettway (1), Hasty (1). QB pressures: Pharms (sack, four rushes), Ximines (sack, QB hit, rush), Morgan (sack, QB hit), Elliss (sack, QB hit), Wise (sack), Hill (two rushes), Bradley-King (two QB hits), Roberts (hurry), Ekuale (hurry), Watts (hurry).
– Coverage: Pettus (two receptions, 28 yards), Giles-Harris (four receptions, 26 yards), Chambers (three receptions, 20 yards), Elliss (two receptions, 14 yards), Dial (two receptions, 13 yards), Hearn (two receptions, 13 yards), Thomas (two receptions, five yards), Wade (one reception, five yards), Victor (three targets, zero receptions), Gonzalez (one target, zero receptions).
