Random Observations from Patriots Preseason Game 3 vs. the Titans

I'm going to try to keep this brief. Owing partly to the fact I was out doing stand up last night, it was my birthday, I just caught the game now, it's Saturday, college football is kicking off, and I'm a lazy bastard who doesn't feel like working. But largely to the fact there no conclusions and only a few inferences you can draw from a fauxball game where the field was littered with guys who were wearing a Patriots uniform for the last time. Though brevity is not my strong suit.  As Woodrow Wilson put it, "If I am to speak ten minutes, I need a week for preparation; if fifteen minutes, three days; if half an hour, two days; if an hour, I am ready now.” But here goes nothing:

--It's been the same story in all three of these games. It all begins and ends with the offensive line. Adrian Klemm has been given a whole casino shoe of cards and has had to shuffle the decks constantly. While the line got a nice push on Kevin Harris' inside power, with Chasen Hines bouncing up to the second level to throw no less than three blocks:

… the pass protection was once again practically non-existent. Worse, a unit that has already had more wounded than a Civil War field hospital lost Reilly Reiff to a knee injury. The good news is that Michael Onwenu finally returned to practice and all signs point to Cole Strange being ready for the opener. Which is actually more than good; it's essential if any of this isn't going to be a complete waste of everyone's precious time. If the O-line looks even remotely like it has since camp started, we'll all be better off telling our wives and girlfriends to go ahead and make those reservations at the B&B up in apple-picking and covered bridge country this fall, because our weekends are shot to hell anyway. 

--We also might be having a Bailey Zappe issue. This is probably something best discussed in a blog dedicated to the topic, but he has regressed this year the way Mac Jones did last preseason. At least with Jones, the culprit was obvious. He was an F1 driver being put behind the wheel of an AMC Gremlin. Zappe may or may not be struggling with Bill O'Brien's system - and that ass chewing he got would seem to be a fair indicator it's "may" - but his lack of accuracy is what I find most disturbing. He sailed a 3rd & 6 pass to Matt Sokol on his first attempt. He's constantly dropping down and changing his arm angle like he's vintage Luis Tiant. And in a scheme predicated on making quick decisions, he comes across as uncertain. Hesitation kills. Particularly with the disarray in front of whoever is under center. And Zappe has been dying since OTAs. I don't mean to put too fine a point on it, given the cast of characters and future working stiffs he's had around him. But the concern is real. And funny, but only when you look back at the ginned-up "controversy" over Belichick's refusal to name Jones the official QB1. Like that was ever in doubt.

--With Belichick marching every unit out of the droid factory at all the skill positions, it's hard to not only grade Zappe's performance, but also what it means to the wide receiver depth chart. But my guess is that the one wideout who played last night who's a lock to make the final roster is Keyshon Boutte. The fact he came out after the first series never to return was a good sign. After the game Belichick talked about his "strong camp" and called his progress "very encouraging." But it's the lack of playing time that's the dead giveaway. When you're a late round pick with a potentially limitless ceiling and they're not pushing you out there and making you earn it? You've arrived, brother. The most intriguing pick they made in this draft is about to get a whole lot more interesting.

--One rookie who did have to use this game to get ready for Philadelphia was Marte Mapu. And if you'll allow me to hit my limit of card game metaphors for this post, he proved to be the Wild Card we were hoping for when they took him in the 3rd round:

Having spent most of camp with a red no-contact jersey, Mapu line up at safety more than any other position, but still moved all over the place. Even at boundary corner at one point, assigned to cover the tight end. And comported himself well at all of them. He showed a tendency to launch himself at ball carriers instead of wrapping them up, which can stop right now as far as I'm concerned. (I saw enough of guys bouncing off of Brandon Meriweather's shoulder pads for extra YAC to last a lifetime, thanks.) But that is correctable. 

--Speaking of proper form tackling, Jack Jones should be grateful Logan Airport security was easier on him than Tyjae Spears:

Other than being Heismanned into orbit, Jones played the run well, with a couple of TFLs coming off the edge. But the struggled in coverage, surrendering a 30 yard pass in man getting flagged for DPI on 3rd down to keep a drive alive. The curious thing is how many snaps he took. He played deep into the game while all the other starters were doing shots of Gatorade and making way for the guys who are trying to earn jobs. Which is a curious move to make with a guy who was arguably your best corner last year. Not so curious when dealing with a guy you think will likely get suspended. So stay tuned on that front.

--If anyone managed to pop his roster bubble and earn himself a job, it's Calvin Munson. He made 11 tackles. Has established himself as a core special teamer on all four units. And made the Pats play of the night:

I'll have to admit, when it comes to this guy, I have zero objectivity. When you're in the business of working movie quotes into your game analysis, having a guy named Munson around can only mean business is good.

--However no one locked up a job the way Bryce Baringer locked up a job. Five punts. Two dropped inside the 20. An average of just under 50. The best of which was a 69-yarder field-flipper. The kicker job seems like it's still up for grabs between Nick Folk's short kick hyper-accuracy and Chad Ryland's power leg. But Baringer alone is enough to bring an end to last year's special teams debacle. 

Now that this fake football dress rehearsal is dispensed with, let's kick the damned ball off already. Bring on the Eagles.