The Patriots might be coming off a 4-13 season.
Not draw a preseason crowd the way they used to.
That’s our cross to bear.
And against the Eagles he earned the billing.
–But watching him in this live-fire exercise went beyond the numbers.
To finally assert his physical dominance over other men.
Sliding away from pressure.
Take for example his touchdown run.
But this was a Zone Read, where they intentionally left No.
And a QB who has the burst of speed to take it in untouched.
Josh McDaniels might have added some element of that during the Cam Newton season.
I don’t know; I’ve memory-holed all of 2020.
–In the passing game, he was able to go through his progressions impressively.
None better than this toss to Javon Baker.
A blitz in which the edge rusher came in free.
But the arm talent is unmistakable.
He showed it on some other deep balls as well.
A couple of Go routes along the boundary that had a chance to be caught but weren’t.
And I remind you again, he doesn’t turn 22 until the end of the month.
That’s your headline from this game.
–As far as Brissett, he really doesn’t have anything to prove.
What he is has been well established for a long time.
He’s a competent, dependable, safe QB you’ve got the option to trust.
Especially when it comes to ball security.
(Mental note: Start workshopping a spec script forNCIS: Ball Security.)
A collection of raw materials who’ll likely be stashed on the practice squad.
And whose development will undoubtedly be measured in years, not months.
But if you don’t have fun watching him, then tackle football is simply not for you.
That they’re keeping cap space waiting for some established veteran to shake loose.
I hope he’s right.
Because the Vederian Lowe situation hasn’t improved since last year’s Vederian Lowe situation.
On this sack they gave him plenty of help in the form of a solid chip by Kevin Harris.
Milton’s night also ended on a sack.
But if they did, the Pats defensive line would split it.
Three 4th down stops against a team that has perfected the art of the 4th down pickup.
And for the second week in a row, five sacks.
They’d better be right.
In fact, I don’t know why he’s been talked about as a bubble dweller.
I thought he was solid last year.
And last night added 8 tackles, with one a TFL.
Which speaks volumes about the current state of things.
But also about Baringer, who once again punted his ass off, with two 60-plus yarders.
Hopefully things will improve to the point he’s no longer a cover model.
Or our offensive MVP like he was as a rookie.
But he’s very much a weapon.
–Here’s your reminder it’s preseason for everybody.
And that’s fine.
But he’s proven he can play like one.
Which is all we can ask for at this point.
