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"This is why they call it... PRESEASON"

Ok... Before I get into last night's game I want to reach out to certain fans out there, and just give them a big ole Sinista1 slap upside the head for showing up to the stadium last night and complaining about things that they knew nothing about. I know for some of you it's your first game, and you're excited to be in the confines of Gillette surrounded by some of the most rabid fans in the New England area, but before you come to the stadium please do your homework especially during preseason games.

1) It's preseason week 1 the roster has a long way to go before it reaches the mandatory 53 guys so when someone makes a bonehead mistake it's not the end of the world, and there is no need to start writing off the playoffs or Super Bowl as some were doing last night.

2)  You bought two, week 1 preseason tickets off of eBay for $300 each, flew out to New England, and then complain about the fact that Brady is not in the game? For those fans who know the deal around you it's truly our priceless moment.

3) This is to the stadium coach who always thinks they can coach better than Bill, and complain when Bill opts to go for two with six minutes to go in the game, down by one, and then almost has a coronary when they don't convert. Hey Coach Know Nothing, do you think Bill would attempt something like this in a regular season game with the same amount of time left? Not!

4)  Just because the Red Sox won the World Series, The Pats went to the Super Bowl, and the Celtics won the Championship doesn't mean we have to really take it back to the 80's, and do the wave... Yes that's right there was a full blown wave sighting at Gillette stadium, and I have the video proof of it, I also think Corey Hart was in the box with Kraft wearing their sunglasses at night also.

Ok... On with the good now.

For those of you who have read my stuff over the years should now that I have several mottos to describe the NFL preseason from my infamous "Paper or Plastic" to the longtime favorite of some; "most of these guys will be delivering Chinese food in their Escalades next week". These mottos are tongue in cheek descriptions of those guys who are possibilities to be cut following a game such as this, and once again there are guys who did just that, and made Bill's job that much easier to scratch their names as he'll filter through the roster this weekend.

So let's take a look at what did transpire at Gillette last night...

With QB Tom Brady watching from the sidelines is was a night to watch QBs Matt Cassell, Matt Gutierrez & Kevin O'Connell duke it out for the number two three & CUT spots. Statistically Gutierrez led the bunch going 10 for 16 and throwing for 76 yds and 1 INT, he seemed to be the more focused of the three out there, but struggled despite having one of the best hits of the night after throwing an INT that looked to be almost a run for 6 by the Ravens. Kevin O'Connell is a different story as his play surprised me because before this game you would think he would be the odd man out with Cassell (1 for 4, 11 yds 1 INT) being here longer than any of the three, but this was not the case as O'Connell went 6 for 13 throwing 57 yards with an INT, but his moment to shine came on a 15 yard rush that impressed everyone in the stadium giving the Pats a first down, and led to a field goal. If this kid can stay consistent he may be able to work his way up the roster, and earn his way onto the team. As for Cassell he explained that he and WR Chad Jackson had some communication problems during the night that led to dropped passes, and an INT that was thrown behind Jackson, but this shouldn't be an excuse coming from a guy who has been backing up Brady for as long as he has especially when his slip and fall on third down late in the third and deep in Pats territory would have been a killer if this was a regular season game. no excuses there Matt, this one was truly on you alone.

Taking time off along with Brady were the WR duo of Randy Moss and Wes Welker leaving Chad Jackson, and Jabar Gaffney out there to steal the spotlight, but it didn't happen as Jackson finished the game with 1 reception, and no yards. Rookie WR Matt Slater showed some promise going 3 for 19, but he made some rookie mistakes also. If he can pick up his game he could spell out the word DOOMED for Chad Jackson. Another bright spot in the Patriots offense and defense was DB Ray Ventrone, 5'10" 200lb  beast who likes  to play both sides of the ball and proved it last night pulling down 2 for 35 in receptions as he filled in on offense. This kid is the type of player that has been successful here over the years if he continues to shine I don't see this kid getting cut at all.  

The RB situation is where my focus is truly at for this preseason as the Pats are LOADED with Laurence Maroney, Sam Morris, Kevin Faulk and newly acquired Lamont Jordan from the Raiders.

Maroney finished the game 6 for 6 rushing and 1 reception for 11 yds, as he once again had trouble running up the middle which is something I don't get. When Maroney was sharing time in Minnesota he was used as an outside running back, he's always seemed to me as a guy who is suited to run to the sides, and beat those in pursuit. He succeeds at this, and they should stay with it. I don't see him hitting the hole anytime soon which is why his spot works for a tandem attack, his downfall is the Pats success which means this battle could come down to Lamont Jordan (19 for 76, 1 TD), or Sam Morris who didn't play last night. As for Kevin Faulk his success, and devotion to this team speaks volumes, and it would be hard for the Patriots to cut a player of his caliber.

Now it's on to the special teams which only had a couple of bright spots last night from K Stephen Gostowski who went 3for 3 with his longest coming from 44 yards out, while the return crew amassed 127 total yards with Matt Slater going 4 for 94, they did allow Yamon Figurs to go 48 yards on one return.

So it's time to finish out with the defense, and even here some of the main cogs were getting a break so all eyes were on the draft picks. Jared Mayo and Shawn Crable, as neither player disappointed the fans of Gillette. Jared Mayo finished the game with three solo tackles, while Crable finished with 3 solo tackles, 1 assist and an interception. Overall... The defense had a good night holding the Ravens to 1 TD, their running game below 50 yards, 3 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries & along with the Crable interception.

Next Week: Tampa Bay