Sportsnaut
By Roger Brown
Thoughts and observations from the New England Patriots 48-18 victory over the Washington Commanders on Friday night in the first preseason game for each team:
— Although it came against a Washington team that didn’t play its projected starters and many of its top reserves, New England’s performance likely energized a fan base thirsting for optimism. The Patriots literally led from start to finish as rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. New England led 17-0 after one quarter, 27-3 at halftime and 34-11 entering the fourth. By any measure, the team looked good in its first game with Mike Vrabel as its head coach.
“Operationally, we were pretty good,” Vrabel said. “Felt like everybody was on the same page, substitution, getting in and out of the huddle. It’s a good start for everything we were talking about. Give us some more to coach. We have to tackle better. We have to throw the football better going forward. I thought it was a good place to start.”
— You could argue that special teams play was the highlight of New England’s victory. In addition to Henderson’s kickoff return, Antonio Gibson returned a kickoff 62 yards and Parker Romo made a 57-yard field goal. Romo, who is in a position battle with rookie Andy Borregales (sixth-round pick), also connected on each of his three extra-point attempts. Borregales made a 22-yard field goal and three PATs. This is looking like a position of strength.
— Not everything was pretty from a New England standpoint, however. During the team’s first offensive series quarterback Drake Maye held on to the ball too long on a third-down play and then fumbled as he was being taken down by Jer’Zhan Newton. The play had to be unsettling for Patriots fans since Maye was a turnover machine last season (nine fumbles and 10 interceptions).
“That’s a bad decision,” Vrabel said. “I think we’re going to need better from him. I think he knows that. That’s obvious. It wasn’t there. We just have to find a way to get rid of the football or take a sack and punt and play defense.”
Maye completed 3-of-5 passes for 12 yards and gained 16 yards and a touchdown on two carries.
New England may be in the market for a backup quarterback since Joshua Dobbs struggled with his accuracy. Dobbs was 5-of-12 for 45 yards (3.8 yards per completion). It’s hard to envision him carrying the offense if Maye misses a significant amount of playing time.
— Vrabel had to like what he saw from his team’s running game. The Patriots ran for 153 yards and four touchdowns on 31 carries. Perhaps most noteworthy were the performances turned in by Rhamondre Stevenson (seven carries for 36 yards), Gibson (six carries for 26 yards) and Henderon (one carry for 18 yards).
“Yeah, I feel like we all do things a little different,” Stevenson said. “I think we all pick little things...
