First off let me just start by saying I live in Connecticut. If you don’t know where Connecticut is, well then you’re a moron but Connecticut is sandwiched smack dab in between New York and Boston. I will say a good portion of this state are primarily Giants fans which makes us Pats fans super scarce-even though I am a hair over 2 hours away from Boston. I also come from a family that unfortunately is a bunch of rowdy Giants fans. I know it is terrible isn’t it? Before I get ahead of myself let’s rewind back a bit.
I remember going over to my Grandma and Grandpa’s house when I was younger and I would find my Grandpa in the living room on the couch watching the Giants game. I never was really interested in football then, but I was always amazed how my Grandfather would sit on the sofa for hours literally glued to the TV to watch guys run up and down a field. It just perplexed me. I found zero interest in it at all. Little did I know long after the Power Rangers were canceled and wrestling would go PG and grow stale that I would fall in love with the game of football. Not only have I fallen in love with the game of football I have fallen in love with the New England Patriots-NOT the New York Giants. Why not the Giants you might be pondering? Like any young kid commonly does, I liked the Patriots colors. Seems simple, but when you are young simple is what matters. When you grow up, get a job, and have to step into the real world’s constant grind- that is when things start to become complicated. If only things were always that simple. I remember watching the Patriots in Super Bowl in 1997 fall to a young Brett Favre and his Green Bay Packers. That was enough to detour me away from football as an impatient young lad. After that I took a 10 year hiatus from the Patriots and football until the 2007 season. The hype of the Patriots acquiring Moss, Welker and Thomas was enough to get my interest flowing. I watched the Super Bowl every year but I simply wasn’t interested. Of course I rooted for the Patriots but I wasn’t passionate about football. I guess I grew up, and since that point I have been an absolute football freak. Everyone has their addiction and the New England Patriots are mine. I love everything about them. I love the way they conduct themselves on and off the field. I love that I am fortunately apart of New England living in Connecticut. I love that no matter what they do the best they can to win football games. The Patriots don’t care what your name is, if you play for them you are just a cog in the wheel. The Patriots are one of the most successful franchises in all of sports and the Patriots exemplify what it means to be a professional, to be a leader, and to be a winner.
Fast forward and now I anticipate great debates at any family function to take on my family and tell them why my team is the best in the NFL, however since I have gotten seriously into football, my family has had every reason to chuckle and throw it in my face why I should have been a Giants fan.
My cousin is an avid Giants fan and season ticket holder and last night I had the opportunity to go check out the Giants/Patriots pre-season game at the new Met Life Stadium in New Jersey on his behalf and generosity. So, I would like to take the time to thank him for the great time and also the chance to once again watch his team once again beat mine. Now I know it is just the preseason and it does not count and yes most of our starters were benched but it seems that the Patriots are just completely and utterly anemic when they face the New York Giants. The Patriots can be on their A game all season long and when they face the Giants- they pack it in. I am convinced the Giants are the Patriots kryptonite that that is a completely different rant that I don’t think anyone wants to hear so let’s get to my observations!
GIANTS 6 – PATRIOTS 3
First off the announcer at Met Life sounded like he came out of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts with his British accent. The guy’s voice was legendary. I am not sure if he is the regular announcer for game day or if he was filling in but If John Rourke ever retires I would love to hear this British guy announce “That’s good for a Patriots-First Down!” I am getting goose bumps thinking about it.
There were a few positives I must say about the game and one of them was the Patriots second team defense. I thought they looked pretty solid. With most of the core starters sitting on the bench I thought it really gave a lot of the younger players a chance to show what they could do and I thought they delivered in that respect. Obviously the teams were both running very vanilla game plans but the Patriots seemed to be getting consistent pressure. This can be said for multiple people. I felt like the Patriots did a great job eliminating the big plays. The Giants first and second teams really struggled to get things going against the Patriots all night.
Here are a few thoughts about a few players on the defense from last night.
Jermaine Cunningham- Has he been re-born or what?! The guy has looked great in training camp and it looks like he is ready to make great strides in his third year here in New England. Many were writing Cunningham off and had him on the bubble but I think it is clear that Cunningham has certainly locked down a roster spot and that could maybe even develop into a starting spot. Cunningham carried over his pressures from the other pre-season games and recorded 3 tackles, 2 solo and 2 sacks. If Cunningham can bring this to his game now I think the Patriots will have a very nice rotation on the line heading into the season with another pre-season standout- rookie Chandler Jones, as well as veterans Rob Ninkovich, and Trevor Scott. This line could finally have the ingredients it needs after years of mixing and matching on the edge.
Mike Rivera-Who is this guy? The Patriots need someone to step up and be able to contribute with Dane Fletcher going down for the year and this guy certainly looks like he can contribute. Rivera recorded a game high of 11 solo tackles and 1 assisted tackle. Rivera is only 26 and was undrafted out of Kansas. Since 2009 he has spent time on 5 different clubs being The Bears, Titans, Packers Dolphins, and now the Pats. The guy seemed to be all over last night, and again I won’t get too excited since it was against 2nd, 3rd, and 4th string guys but it is certainly worth noting and pondering if the Patriots have something with the young journeyman.
Tavon Wilson/Nate Ebner- Both of these guys really looked good and although the stats don’t show it they seemed to be steady and around the ball all night. I am continuously impressed with Ebner especially. A former star rugby player last season and coming into the NFL as a rookie I thought it was a long shot he would be able to translate his game to football but he has been doing just that and proving me wrong. Ebner continues to hone his skills and almost came away with an interception at one point. Ebner plays with a hard nose and displays his tackling ability on special teams. Ebner will make the 53 and will make an impact I think virtually wherever the Patriots line him up either on defense or special teams. Ebner can ball.
Now, here are some thought on the offense.
Ryan Mallett/Brian Hoyer- Both looked to really struggle last night. I didn’t see a lot to show a ton of confidence in either but I will best sum it up like this. Ryan Mallett I think has the raw tools to be a good solid NFL Quarterback. Seeing him live at practice and training camp/ pre-season he has a rifle of an arm or as John Gruden has named him “Rifle Man” . While Mallett has the prototypical size you look for in a Quarterback and throws a beautiful ball, Mallet struggles with his accuracy. He is very inconsistent. Brian Hoyer on the other hand knows the system better and is a bit more accurate but struggles with his deep ball. Both have issues with their consistency and it is no wonder Bill Belichick said the competition for the #2 slot behind Brady is tight.
Jeff Demps- The Patriots really got a hard look at Demps Wednesday night utilizing him all over the field. Demps returned kicks/punts, got work at runningback, and even lined up as a receiver. This guy is super intriguing to me factoring in both his Olympic speed and position versatility. I loved seeing all the different possibilities Demps presents but his biggest role with the Pats will likely be in the return game. I thought you obviously could tell he has the elite speed, I just felt like he was over thinking it. A lot of his moves weren’t sharp, and you could tell he hasn’t played football in a while. That rust should wear off with time and I think he could be a valuable and dangerous weapon for this team. Rumor is the Patriots might put him on IR and let him develop his skills for next season, I hope they don’t even as he sits now he is the team’s best kick returner. There is no reason he can’t contribute this season. The guy just won a silver medal in the Olympics! Throw him into the fire and let’s see what the kid can do for our return game!
Brandon Bolden- I am not certain how I feel about Bolden. Bolden will make a good play and the next play he is fumbling kicks. It is very frustrating to watch Bolden because you never know what you are going to get out of him. I like Bolden a lot. I feel he has great size for a back and it sets him apart from the rest of the backs on the roster however he shoots himself in the foot. Bolden finished the night with 15 rushes for 59 yards as well as 3 receptions for 16 yards. My gut says he makes the squad but I wouldn’t be shocked if he didn’t. Bolden says he “left it all out on the field” and gave it “110%”. I suppose we will find out tomorrow if coaching feels the same way.
Other notes-
Zoltan Mesko- Don’t Mess With the Zoltan! Zoltan I thought looked great even though Weatherford showed him up with what appeared to be a 70 yard punt early in the second quarter. Zoltan pinned the Giants back deep all night and looks to be better than ever. Patriots fans should be excited with their punter. As Bill Belichick says there are 3 phases of the game and the kicking game is crucial. Mesko determines where the opposing offense will start their drive on the field. If Mesko can pin them deep that is a huge advantage for the Patriots.
The replacement referees were absolutely dreadful. The refs were arguing over calls and at one point in the game as I am sure most of you saw on tv, the referees took 6 minutes or so just to get the call out. Both coaches appeared to be flustered with the refs as was Met Life which showered the ref with boos! Roger Goodell and the players association are so worried about player safety yet they refuse to come to an agreement with the refs that know what there doing. These replacement referees are a liability to the NFL. If Roger is smart he will do what he has to ensure the REAL refs return for the beginning of the season otherwise we are all in big trouble!
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