We really didn't set out to make this corner the Chase Winovich Show, but two games into the preseason ... it is what it is.
And we're also not ready to put the rookie outside linebacker into Canton off two highly productive exhibitions against borderline NFL players. That being said, game respects game, and the kid has shown plenty of that.
Instead of fawning off his terrific production with 11 "plus" plays (sack, team-high 7.5 total QB pressures, 1.5 stuffed runs among those) against zero negative plays or his outstanding motor chasing plays down the field, we'll look at one subtle play near the end of the first to illustrate why Winovich appears, to this point, to be playing well beyond a rookie level.
With 46 seconds remaining and the ball at the Tennessee 41-yard line, Winovich is lined up to the right of the offense, opposite tight end MyCole Pruitt. The Titans run read-option with Logan Whiteside faking the run and taking it himself around left end — away from Winovich.
At the snap, Winovich quickly steps inside and clubs Pruitt across his left shoulder, shoving him out of the way and to the ground. Pruitt basically whiffs and will have a rough time in film review.
Despite having some traffic in front of him, Winovich does not play fall for the run fake — as an unblocked Keionta Davis and most of the defense does — and tracks Whiteside at full speed across the field. Winovich closes so well that Whiteside feels him and has to flatten out his run. Joejuan Williams does a nice job keeping outside leverage on the run, and Winovich is able to help finish off the run that went for just 5 yards.
This wasn't one of Winovich's splash plays, and he didn't even tally a tackle or any other statistic. But this was the type of play a seasoned veteran makes, not a rookie playing in his second exhibition.
Here is the pressure chart, defensive positional ratings/breakdown and 3 up/3 down against the Titans:
[table id=342 /]
Defensive line (2.5 out of 5)
This group made some plays, but there were also a lot of issues with gap integrity with the 3-4 defense, especially from Mike Pennel and Deatrich Wise. I don't know what's going on with Pennel, who has appeared to plummet down the depth chart. He had about four plays in a row early in the second half where he was easily shoved out of his nose tackle spot and it really exposed the run defense. After that, he was gone from the game. Hopefully he's dealing with an injury. If he's not, I would not be shocked if he's released in short order. That's not the type of play the Patriots tolerate for very long. ... Wise had a couple of really rough gap plays against the run, including on the Jeremy McNichols touchdown that was called back. This is a big concern with him converting from the edge to being a two-gapping five-technique in the 3-4. ... Byron Cowart's sack against Roger Saffold took 2.53 seconds. Nice arm right into his chest. ... On the McNichols TD out of the backfield, Trent Harris (sorry, I keep calling him David on the videos) is likely supposed to chip him to give Calvin Munson time to get out on the route, but Munson also gets caught in the wash on a vertical route by the tight end.
Linebackers (3.5 out of 5)
Overall, Munson had a very productive game with six plus plays, including a smart screen diagnosis. He's been knocking on the door since OTAs. ... Wasn't perfect. Got a little deep on a pass drop, while Ja'Whaun Bentley drifted a bit on the next play and left a void open behind him. Bentley was hit and miss in this one. Shot a few gaps nicely, but missed two tackles. ... Good job by Munson reading screen, breaking off his blitz and holding up McNichols. ... Shilique Calhoun likely needs to chip Dion Lewis coming out of the backfield. Probably a new technique for him after Oakland. ... Hopefully the ankle injury doesn't keep Calhoun down long because he's making an impact and needs to ramp up his knowledge of the Patriots' scheme. ... Winovich's production was off the chart — literally, I ran out of room in the first half alone. ... The Patriots blitzed on 42.5 percent of the Titans' 40 dropbacks (including penalties). That's about the same as Week 1. Of their 17 blitzes, 16 came in the first half. Patriots got pressure on the Titans' quarterbacks on 50 percent of dropbacks.
Secondary (3 out of 5)
Really nice job by Joejuan Williams on his first down, pass defensed against Corey Davis. Williams was especially good at the top of the route and transitioned quickly to make a play on the ball. That's good movement for a big player. ... J.C. Jackson had good coverage on Corey Davis' 20-yard in cut, but he needs to be more aggressive on the break. A good cornerback anticipates that route and undercuts it. ... Not sure if the Delanie Walker touchdown was all on Obi Melifonwu. The communication was really late and not good before the snap. Winovich didn't delay the inside tight's release and he was wide open for a touchdown as well. Patriots would have been better off with Melifonwu taking the flat and Bentley running up the seam with Walker. That's probably how they'd like to play it in the future. Melifonwu was obviously expecting inside help and Duron Harmon wasn't there as well. ... Nothing Terrence Brooks could do on the 22-yarder to Andrew Firkser. Just a great throw and catch. Brooks showed a good physicality coming up on plays and was always around the ball. ... A couple good pass breakups from Keion Crossen, but he remains a bit raw.
FOUR UP
Chase Winovich: He had 7.5 quarterback pressures and 11 impactful plays. That's a truckload.
Terrence Brooks: Patriots haven't gotten that kind of physical play from a deep safety since Patrick Chung's first go around.
Joejuan Williams: After a slow start to his Patriots career, the game is obviously slowing down for him and he's starting to stack success.
Calvin Munson: A good, solid instinctive and smart player who is making a push for a roster spot.
THREE DOWN
Mike Pennel: Something's going on with him because it doesn't look right. If there's not an injury involved, a release is not out of the question.
Brandon King: Gave up two third-down receptions. Still waiting for him to show some potential beyond special teams.
J.C. Jackson: Allowed a 20-yard reception and had a 27-yard penalty that was legit.