Some ideas about New England’s 38-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills when the Patriots in Sunday’s final season opposed the New York Jets:
– Another game, hen’s egg for the closed wings of the Patriots rookie.
Devin Asiasi played 97% of New England’s offensive shots (47 out of 50) and ended up without catching two targets. The two passes were not framed, one was Asiasi, the other was him and top, but they hit him in the hands.
Asiasi also made an obvious mistake in pass protection, freeing himself too early in the apartment after circumventing the security of dean Marlowe’s bombing. Marlowe hit Quarterback Cam Newton for a catch.
We saw very little of our other third-round selection, Dalton Keene, who recorded only 3 shots in total in the loss. Keene sniffed as he took a look to block the veteran Jerry Hughes look with five minutes remaining in the first half: Hughes hit Newton forced a third outing, and saw the package again. He finished with 0 goals.
Asiasi and Keene have been the Patriots’ only active closed wings since Ryan Izzo landed on the disabled reserve list three weeks ago, a great opportunity for teenagers to prove their worth.
A review of your rookie year totals so far:
Asiasi: 8 games, 178 shots, 4 targets, 0 keene jammed: games, 110 shots, 3 targets, two trapped, 10 meters, one getaway
The Patriots’ closed wings rank last in the NFL in receptions (15) and touchdowns (zero) this season and the penultimate in yards received (209, adding 50 in a salute that Mary missed in Izzo). A much worse production than Matt LaCosse, Ben Watson and Izzo gave New England last season.
The trio also finished 32nd in receptions with 37 of them for 419 yards (30th) and two scores (T-32o).
It’s too early to call Asiasi and Keene busts. The tight finale has an ending to be one of the hardest positions to master for young players, and those two have noticed that their advances slowed down through an unrthodox off-season and the upcoming seasons in the injured. That said, it’s not unfair to expect at least one production of pass games so deeply in the season.
Even after making a two-thirds investment of the selection in this position organization last spring, improving will have to be a priority for New England by 2021.
– For the first time in years, the Patriots were forced to play a full part of Devin McCourty football.
The veteran security guard injured his shoulder and returned after half-time, depriving the New England defenseman of his quarterback and principal communicator.
McCourty has been one of the few constants in the Patriots’ defense this season, betting more than 98% of defensive shots at the start of Monday. It had been wired in 11 of the first 14 games, representing one of the franchise’s highs. valuable and durable players.
In other words, the Patriots used to operate without McCourty in the field.
“It puts pressure on the other boys to mobilize and talk more because Devin is a wonderful communicator,” protection coach Brian Belichick said Tuesday. “Everyone has to do their homework and get involved, and when someone who is a proper communicator collapses, others want to talk more. That’s what they’ve been looking to do, and it’s another smart fun you can find out about: be ready. You never know what’s going to happen in a game, to do it.
“We have done it evidently in practice. Devin plays in every moment, all the time, so that’s what it is. It’s hard to lose a wonderful player and a wonderful communicator. “
Terrence Brooks safely completed the absence of McCourty. Se lost an 18-yard landing shot through Stefon Diggs in the first practice of the time.
At the end of Monday’s game, the Patriots defense without McCourty; linebackers Ja’Whaun Bentley, Terez Hall, Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings; outdoor linebackers Shilique Calhoun and Tashawn Bower; and a defensive version of Lawrence Guy, who were either inactive or left the game due to injury. Top cornerback Stephon Gilmore was also unavailable after being placed on injured reserve last season.
It remains to be noted which of those players will be available by Sunday’s season finale against the New York Jets. McCourty hasn’t missed a game since 2015, appearing in 92 consecutive games, adding up the playoffs.
– There were not many positives for the Patriots high school on this one, however Jonathan Jones did a smart task against Cole Beasley, keeping one of the NFL’s most sensitive catchers on three shots in five goals for a season minimum of 17 yards.
Beasley Buffalo’s third device this season, but Jones has tackled him without sticks on each of his three receptions. By Monday, Beasley had won the first score on 15 of his 19 third-chance goals.