Bedard's Breakdown (offense): Rhamondre Stevenson impresses but could be a ways off

Anytime you have a 91-yard touchdown run — even in scrub time in the first preseason game — you're showing something.

So even with good blocking from the Patriots and terrible defense from Washington, it was impressive that a big back like Rhamondre Stevenson (6-foot, 246 pounds) could do that.

And that wasn't Stevenson's only good play in his stint on Thursday night. He broke a tackle, danced a bit in the hole to provide a good run, and also powered in for another touchdown from a couple yards out.

In fact, Stevenson was our top player on offense in the opening win for the Patriots. Yes, better than Mac Jones.

But that doesn't mean anything when it comes to his role this season, and I wouldn't start displacing any veterans for the fourth-round pick anytime soon no matter how well he blocked in college (Joe Murray .... they play defense in the Big 12?!).

The Patriots have Damien Harris. They have a year of cheap labor from Sony Michel before he becomes a free agent. They have Bill Belichick binkie and special teams hero Brandon Bolden. Without an injury, Stevenson is not beating out those three players. Not with Ivan Fears in charge.

He is the Dante Scarnecchia of the backfield. Belichick and Josh McDaniels revere Fears and almost completely defer to him when it comes to running backs. He's the same guy that made Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley, James White and Harris basically be invisible as rookies before getting to play. All but White, another fourth-rounder, were drafted higher than Stevenson. Only Sony Michel played as a rookie, and that was only because Jeremy Hill got hurt and Michel was a first-round pick.

What does Fears — who is not afraid to speak the truth positive or negative — think Stevenson needs to improve on?

“Everything, everything. What do I like about him? He’s here. I like that he’s here, other than that, everything’s gotta improve," Fears said Aug. 4. "That’s what we have to get done. He’s got a lot to learn, he’s talented, we’ll see what he can do in the games, but right now, he’s got a lot to learn . . . a lot to learn.”

After that, Stevenson has spent the brunt of practices being subjected to Fears' tough love coaching style. And Stevenson's first carry, where he danced in the hole and did nothing, is sure to get some harsh treatment in the RB's room.

But after that, Stevenson, was decisive and effective. So we'll see if he can keep improving.

Still, I wouldn't hold out for any big role anytime soon.

Here are the offensive positional ratings against Washington, with blocking charts and 3 up/3 down after watching the TV copy:

Quarterback (2.5 out of 5)

We said pretty much all we needed to say on the QBs this morning — mainly that Cam Newton needs to show more progress as Mac Jones continues to improve — but here are a few more thoughts:

• Newton had one plus throw, the in-cut to Meyers, and three minus plays: incomplete to Jonnu Smith, not operating quicker on the Chase Young play, and his throw on the third-down screen to James White. I know they expected Young to rush, but this was another example of Newton not being able to improvise quick enough.
• Jones was good, especially for a rookie after 12 practices in a scheme like this with a surrounding cast that is also very new, but far from spectacular. Five plus plays: bang-action to Kendrick Bourne, end zone throw to Kristian Wilkerson, scramble on third down (pocket presence), the third-down throw to Wilkerson against pressure and throwing him open, and another pressure completion to Wilkerson. Three minus throws: low to Meyers, low to Jakob Johnson, and the deep incompletion to Gunner Olszewski should have been more toward to the sideline instead of up the field.
• I'm not overly worried about Jones' arm strength, but he needs a lot to go right for him to power the ball to the sidelines and that doesn't always happen in the NFL and after 10-12 games. This was why I've been saying ideally he gets a redshirt year. But I don't think the Patriots have the luxury of time.

Running backs (4 out of 5)

Thought they all played well, including James White finally looking like James White on that screen pass. Maybe he's his old self again. ... JJ Taylor was great with two broken tackles and a 9-yard run. I want to see him against NFL starters. ... Johnson missed a block on the first play of the game, but was solid otherwise. 

Receivers (2.5 out of 5)

Come on, N'Keal Harry. On the very first play of the game — the boot action to Smith — it took Harry about 2 seconds to even get off the line. What are we doing here? Other than that, I thought he played well and blocked well. .... Olszewski blocked his ass off in the game. Very Edelman-esque. ... Jakobi Meyers has been the best receiver to date as far as consistency and production. ... Drops from Wilkerson, Isaiah Zuber.

Offensive line (3 out of 5)

Serves me right for talking up Isaiah Wynn and he comes out and whiffs on a pass block and run block. ... All of the starters looked a bit rusty and had a problematic play. A lot to clean up, but nothing major. Even James Ferentz was solid. ... The reserves were not good, just like they've shown in camp. ... Yodny Cajuste was OK in his first game action maybe ever, but still allowed a team-high three QB pressures. 

THREE UP

RB Rhamondre Stevenson: First carry was not good, but was surprised at how quick his feet were in the hole. Maybe he does have some Ricky Williams in him, although Stevenson is much taller. Stephen Jackson is more like it.

WR Gunner Olszewski: Very impressive blocking and converted on a third down.

QB Mac Jones: Nothing spectacular, but did what he was supposed to do and showed he has potential to hit plays deep.

THREE DOWN

OG Alex Redmond: Trifecta — sack, hurry, stuff and a penalty. Just missing a knockdown. Someone needs to show him how the Patriots guards hit the holes on pulls. What he's doing ain't it.

OG Marcus Martin: Two penalties, a hurry and he whiffed on a pass block.

OT Yodny Cajuste: Two hurries and a knockdown. Well, at least the former third-round pick is on the field.