Patriots Postgame: Rookies Flash in Dominant Win Over Commanders

The Patriots began the Mike Vrabel era with a dominant 48-18 win over the Commanders.

Despite an egregious turnover early, New England’s discipline and toughness looked lightyears ahead of where it was last season. The team finished with just two penalties, went 5-6 in the Red Zone offensively, and kicked off an outstanding night on special teams with a score on the game’s first play.

Here’s my recap of the Patriots’ impressive preseason opener.

Attendance

Did Not Play: DT Christian Barmore, WR Kendrick Bourne, ED K’Lavon Chaisson, CB Carlton Davis, WR Stefon Diggs, CB Christian Gonzalez, ED Harold Landry, OT Vederian Lowe, RT Morgan Moses, G Sidy Sow, LB Jahlani Tavai, G Caedan Wallace

Injuries: Ja’Lynn Polk (collarbone/shoulder)

Mike Vrabel’s Top Quotes of Note

On Drake Maye’s lost fumble: “That’s a bad decision. 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 be able to find a way to get rid of the football or take a sack and punt and play defense. But to the defense’s credit, they forced a field goal I think that was missed maybe. It was a sudden-change opportunity.”

On finishing the game with just two penalties for 15 yards: “Well, we had a couple that were really offsetting. We still fouled. It wasn’t like we were really, really clean. I thought operationally we were pretty good. Felt like everybody was on the same page, substitution, getting in and out of the huddle. [The Commanders] don’t huddle. They sub. Sometimes they stand over it, sometimes they don’t. I felt like defensively that was a good challenge for us to be able to play a game like that with a team that really doesn’t want to huddle. But when you can have that many — we had a few kickoff returns and did not have any penalties there. We had the one that was offsetting on the punt. Those are critical because there’s so much field position that gets changed when you have penalties on punt returns and kickoff returns. It’s a good start. It’s a good start for everything that 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 this was a good place to start.”

On why the pass game needs to be better: ” I think the way that the game kind of unfolded with the kickoff, going for a touchdown. Defensive turnover. I felt like we had some opportunities. Maybe the ball was batted. I thought we had C.J. [Dippre] for a touchdown there. He was open. Then just the protection, I guess, on the third down. Wasn’t like we had a whole lot of opportunities early. We were able to kind of convert and score running the football. Drake scrambled, right? Again, I’m all for him using his ability to run when it’s there. You saw him slide. You saw him be able to run in the end zone. Maybe just kind of how the game unfolded early. We hit some passes late. I think Ben settled down. I was excited to see him settle down, hit some passes. John Jiles who busts his tail to block and play special teams, had a huge catch there. Felt everybody played, which I’m excited for. We talked about there were some players that didn’t get to play or practice on Wednesday, they were going to get an opportunity on Friday night. I was happy to see them take advantage of it and proud that they could be excited about it.”

On Javon Baker’s special teams contributions: “Yeah, I think that’s fantastic. When you have players, especially receivers, that can create a role, that can help you, be big, physical, everything that we see out of Javon as a receiver, when they can embrace that as special teams players, guys that are big and physical and fast and willing, that translates to special teams. Excited. Just happy for Javon just being able to go out there and contribute. When you do those things, your teammates get excited. Hopefully his confidence continues to grow.”

Thanks to Patriots PR for these transcriptions

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Rookies Flash in Dominant Win Over Commanders

The Patriots’ rookie class has been one of the most heralded in the league, and they lived up to the hype against the Commanders. There were highs and lows, as with any rookie’s debut, but several players flashed from throughout the game.

TreVeyon Henderson started his career and the preseason with a bang, taking the game’s opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown.

“I think TreVeyon read it out and hit the hole and everybody else blocked and finished and did all those good things,” Mike Vrabel said after the game. “It’s a step in the right direction. I think it’s exciting. We talk about how critical a phase of a game is going to be, to be able to come out here and work on it.”

Drake Maye called Henderson a lightning bolt during his postgame presser, but Henderson showed he can also bring the thunder. His best touch came on a checkdown-turned-explosive where he shook a defender before lowering the boom on a safety. Rhamondre Stevenson may be RB1 in New England’s backfield, but Henderson is primed for a featured role in Josh McDaniels‘ offense.

Starting linemen Will Campbell and Jared Wilson only glaring lapse on the night was getting caught on different levels against a twist. This allowed the penetration that led to Maye’s fumble, but Vrabel didn’t sound overly concerned.

“I think there was a game, maybe a pass-rush game, that looked like to me, and those are some things that we’ll continue to work hard on,” Vrabel told reporters. “We were able to pick ’em up in the practice. They ran a few of ’em over there against us in practice. We just have to be able to carry that execution into the game.”

It was an otherwise promising night for Campbell, Wilson, and seventh-rounder Marcus Bryant. They were quiet in pass pro and played through the whistle in the run game.

“I certainly did see their play demeanor kind of stand out,” Vrabel said. “I think that’s a good place to start, is with that. Being downfield, finishing through the whistle and everything, we embrace that here.”

Undrafted rookies Efton Chism and Ben Wooldridge maintained that momentum once the backups took over.

Chism ended the day with six catches for 50 yards on eight targets, but Joshua Dobbs missed him downfield twice. The receiver product also showed toughness on a contested grab, scored after slipping a tackle on 4th down, and showed great vision and physicality to convert a 1st & 20.

“I think his play strength stood out to me from the sideline,” Vrabel said of Chism. “I think it’s the way he blocks, his ability to catch the ball in traffic. The ball was basically tipped or bobbled coming out of Ben’s hand. Kind of ran through a tackle and ran through contact. We threw him a screen. So those are all positive things. I think his play strength to me is what stood out.”

“Yeah, he’s a baller,” Maye said. “I mean, he loves coming up and asking me questions about routes. He loves talking football. He’s just a football player. You saw him tonight making plays. Glad he got in the end zone. Almost got in the end zone again on the screen. Got chased down. Blocking hard, doing all the right things. That’s what we’re preaching in the offensive room: keep doing things the right way, keep showing up, you’re going be rewarded.”

If Chism continues to be productive this preseason, he’ll make himself an impossible cut.

Wooldridge’s performance could make the spot behind Maye a real competition. Dobbs’ sporadic accuracy didn’t help his case, but Wooldridge went an impressive 9/12 for 132 yards and a touchdown while showing a veteran’s confidence. His best throws included stepping up in the pocket on Chism’s score, hitting John Jiles in-stride on over routes, and putting Jeremiah Webb in position for a big play.

The quarterback might’ve had a second touchdown if not for a batted pass that prevented a walk-in C.J. Dippre score. Don’t sleep on the Patriots keeping three quarterbacks with Wooldridge as a developmental trade chip and Dobbs continuing to mentor the room.

Lan Larison continued a theme of explosive violence upon taking over at running back. He averaged five yards on seven carries, scored on one of the offense’s several toss plays, and caught both balls thrown his way. His status will be one to monitor after walking around the locker room in a boot.

Slot corner Jordan Polk had the top play among defensive rookies, capitalizing of a bobbled ball for an interception and solid return to set up a touchdown.

Craig Woodson missed a potential tackle for loss in run defense, but registered a quarterback hit and three tackles on kickoff.

Edge rusher Elijah Ponder didn’t register a stat on defense, but he got pressure at times and was pulled for veterans Anfernee Jennings and Truman Jones, a positive sign for his roster security. Jahvaree Ritzie also closed the game with a sack.

After several years of largely uninspiring freshman classes for the Patriots, it looks like EVP of player personnel Eliot Wolf and his staff may have knocked it out of the park this offseason.

Notebook

• The passing game was shaky, but Drake Maye’s mobility continues to be a difference-maker. Maye converted on 2nd & 10 before sliding to avoid contact, then ran in for a Red Zone score a few plays later.
• D.J. James showed great situation awareness and route recognition on his 3rd down interception. He’s earned himself a real shot at the roster by making the most of opportunities with Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis sidelined.
• Anfernee Jennings playing through the 4th quarter likely means he’s on the outside looking in. Jennings is an elite run defender, but his lack of pass rush upside makes him an odd fit for an attacking 4-3 defense.
• Both Andres Borregales and Parker Romo went 3-3 on extra points and 1-1 on field goals. This competition has been tight all summer.
• Javon Baker had tackles on both the kickoff and punt teams, serving as a gunner in place of Marcellas Dial. Excelling in the game’s third phase could be just what Baker needs to lock up a roster spot, as he’s battled inconsistency on offense all summer. Tonight, he jumped early on an end zone fade target, dropped a tough-but-catchable downfield target, and may have missed a block on the play where Ja’Lynn Polk appeared to re-injure his shoulder.
• Tight end Jack Westover flashed at fullback, a spot held by Brock Lampe before the undrafted rookie was placed on IR.
• John Jiles might not make the team, but his size, physicality, and effort make him a prime practice squad candidate who could be elevated in emergency situations.
• Garrett Bradbury and Ben Brown rotated drives at center, and Bradbury played a series with Joshua Dobbs at quarterback. Looks like there’s a real competition in the middle.