After the Patriots successfully moved the ball into the lower red zone, Brissett forced a pass to a covered Hooper, which Eagles DB Avonte Maddox intercepted. Above, we explain why Brissett advanced to Hooper on the play and why Tyquan Thornton wasn’t as clear-cut an option as he seems. However, the better throw might have gone to Pop Douglas, who got free by running a juke route or settled for three points by throwing the ball away. Either way, Brissett knows he can’t lose the ball there.
Those are two plays the Patriots need from Brissett to justify his use ahead of Maye: a layup on third down and avoiding costly turnovers, especially in the red zone. No one expects Brissett to be a game-changer, but a game manager meets both of those criteria.
Earlier this summer, Brissett held up his end of the bargain and was a consistent presence both in practice and as a veteran leader. The Pats need him to get back to being that guy on the field.
Short film notes from Patriots-Eagles after further review
– The Patriots defense utilized more of their 5-1 base front in this game:
– EDGE: Anfernee Jennings, Jahlani Tavai
– Center backs: DE Keion White/Deatrich Wise, NT Jeremiah Pharms, DE Daniel Ekuale
– Off-ball linebacker: Raekwon McMillan
New England also used veteran nose tackle Mike Purcell in the middle, allowing Pharms to play the four-technique in the B-gap further away from the ball. Oshane Ximines got some running in their four-man front when they needed a wide-nine rusher from the side.
– It will be interesting to see if the coaches use Joshua Uche (sack, QB hit, two hurries) or Oshane Ximines (sack, hurries) as their designated pass rusher without Matthew Judon. Ximines offers more size/length (6-4, 255) with a little less bend/burst than Uche. In theory, both could play in their pass-rush front. But ultimately, one will likely have more snaps than the other.
– The Patriots defense blitzed much less in this game. After blitzing 44.4% of Carolina’s dropbacks in the first preseason game, DC DeMarcus Covington blitzed just 31% of Philly’s pass plays. Four of their five sacks also came on standard four-man rushes.
– Two things can be said about LT Vederian Lowe: 1. He is put in a tough spot as a left tackle and 2. The tape is mediocre but not terrible. Up until the sack in the third quarter, Lowe had a clean slate, with the only borderline pressure coming when Jacoby Brissett slipped at the top of his drop. He uses his length well to keep defenders on their toes, picks up post-snap moves and takes full advantage of his limited athleticism. I can’t stress enough that it’s not Lowe’s fault that he’s being asked to start at the most important position on the line.
– RT Chuks Okorafor has played with remarkable physicality in two preseason games. He plays a little high and his linear frame makes him vulnerable to power. But he didn’t allow a single pressure and you have to consider his overall effort. I’m concerned, though, about how he can handle the power against starting edge rushers.
– Rookie OT Caedan Wallace’s development is progressing. He is now less of an early hip opener in his pass sets and has good functional strength to anchor and block in the run game. Wallace’s hand technique needs to improve, however. His hand position is still too wide and he strikes with a looping motion instead of stiff strikes. This makes it harder for him to stay connected with pass rushers who get close to his body and make initial contact. Wallace will push for playing time once he refines his hand technique.
– WRs Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker have potential. Baker needs to clean up the drops and not get pushed out of the field so much on go routes. Polk is adjusting to the nuances of the NFL route tree compared to the wide-open UW offense. His route details were better on this tape to set up DBs for breaks with a good seam and in-cut that could have produced targets.
– DE Keion White was a disruptive inside rusher, and that’s his strength. White recorded a sack and three hurries, showing a remarkable first step from a three-point stance. Coaches should give White free reign on pass attempts, as they would have done with Barmore, so he can use his best rush, usually a speed rip or straight power. Let the others on the D-line worry about keeping the quarterback in the pocket. Someone has to apply the pressure.
– CB Christian Gonzalez had seven coverage snaps in this game and allowed one catch into tight man coverage on a slant. Gonzalez was also caught with his eyes in the backfield in cover-three where WR John Ross was one step ahead of him but couldn’t catch the ball. Gonzalez’s man coverage repeaters have looked good in the two preseason games. I’m not worried, though.
– LB Raekwon McMillan was a force to be reckoned with in the running game: He threw pullers in the air, left tight ends behind as an edge setter in the running game, and led the way with three runs, the most on his team. McMillan is also considered a key special teamer. He’s a throwback linebacker in the style of the old Belichicks, but he plays angry. It’s always good to have linebackers like that.
– DT Jeremiah Pharms has improved as a pass rusher, recording another QB hit after a pick by White, but he will need to improve his anchor performance against double coverage to earn a full-time role in the D-line rotation.
– Outside zone running schemes are still a work in progress. While there could be explanations, I wasn’t too keen on RB Rhamondre Stevenson’s decisions on some of his reps. Rhamondre seemed to miss a cutback opportunity (Q1, 3:00) and was a little indecisive on the first play after being lined up. Doesn’t raise any alarm bells yet. The preseason is the time for Stevenson to get a feel for where the gaps in this scheme will develop.
– Starting guards Mike Onwenu and Sidy Sow were much better in this film than they were last week and in practice together. Sow was forced back into the backfield on a third-and-1 play that Rhamondre saved, but was overall effective in pass protection and had an excellent second-down back on Kevin Harris’ 14-yard run. They’ll take that from Sow.
– This video wasn’t as clean for fourth-round pick Layden Robinson, who was late to spot a stunt that put pressure on Milton. However, Robinson’s playmaking ability and anchoring ability allow him to hold his own. His final hurdle is playing with control while having better eyes in the passing game.
– The backup center position is unclear once you get past David Andrews, but C/G Nick Leverett is a viable option. You don’t want to be reduced to your third center anyway. Leverett, who hasn’t played much center in his NFL career, would do a good job snapping the football with more practice reps. Still, Andrews is obviously a key player on the line.
– TE Austin Hooper will be a useful TE2. He was free on the first third down of the game, does his job in the run game, and I blame Brissett’s INT on the QB (bad decision). Hooper also performed well in Tuesday’s joint practice. This offense knows how to get the tight end free.
– RB JaMycal Hasty had a nice run in the red zone, showing plenty of patience and a penetrating style to force his way through a small crease. The screen was a well-timed play, but you also saw how comfortable he is in the passing game. Hasty may need to be included in my next roster projection, along with Harris, who made the right decision on all three of his attempts.
– Reserves for Alex Austin (blew the screen, zero targets in 19 coverage snaps) and DB Isaiah Bolden. Bolden’s approach speed from a low zone to chase Pickett stood out.
– Although he sometimes gets lost in zone coverage, I have to admit that S/ST Brenden Schooler is a better defender in man coverage than expected. This regime has vowed to keep fewer players who only participate on special teams. Schooler could play a specialized role as a safety if they desperately need him.
– The Patriots’ kickoff return unit did well against the Eagles’ coverage unit. They snagged a stunt on a return that Jalen Reagor nearly broke, and David Wallis took advantage of an open cutback lane to charge into daylight on his 53-yard return.
– QB pressures allowed: Mafi (sack, hurry), Lowe (sack), Anderson (sack), Harris (hurry), Jennings (hurry). QB pressures allowed: Uche (sack, hit, two hurries), White (sack, two hurries), Ximines (sack, hurry), Wise (sack), Pharms (QB hit), Watts (two hurries), Roberts (hurry), Bledsoe (hurry), Hill (hurry), Bronson (hurry), Jennings (hurry).
– Coverage: Dial (8 receiving, 106 yards), Hearn (2 receiving, 28 yards), Elliss (2 receiving, 24 yards), McMillan (3 receiving, 18 yards), Bledsoe (2 receiving, 12 yards), Tavai (2 receiving, 11 yards), Giles-Harris (2 receiving, 10 yards), Gonzalez (1 receiving, 9 yards), Victor (1 receiving, 7 yards), Pettus (2 receiving, 6 yards), Hawkins (1 receiving, 6 yards), Wilson (1 receiving, 5 yards).
