BSJ Game Report: Giants 23, Patriots 21 - Patricia, Judge both call plays in debut

Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ preseason loss to the Giants in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

HEADLINES

New age for offensive coaching: We knew things would work differently for the Patriots on offense after two decades with Charlie Weis, Josh McDaniels, Bill O'Brien and McDaniels again firmly in charge as the offensive coordinators. Haven't really seen this approach. In the first game since McDaniels left for Vegas and Bill Belichick elected not to hire an experienced offensive coordinator to replace him, Matt Patricia called plays for the first two series when Brian Hoyer was quarterback, and then Joe Judge took over for the rest of the game when Bailey Zappe was in the shotgun (Patriots didn't go under center until the second half). Making things even more complicated for Patricia was that he was doing double duty as offensive line coach with assistant Billy Yates apparently in the booth during the first half (Yates was on the sideline for the second half). At times in the third quarter, Patricia went from the QBs to meeting with Judge and Belichick — while center David Andrews was talking to the line with a tablet — before making his way to the offensive line. That's fine for the preseason, but that may be tough to pull off in the regular season.

Offense goes back to basics: The lack of offensive production has been the story of camp so far and in this game, only one starter (LG Cole Strange) started the game. As far as plays, the Patriots didn't run any of the new concepts they've tried and failed at in camp. They also spread things out and went with quick-hitters, in both the run and pass game. After punting on the first drive, the Patriots got the benefit of a few penalties to score when Hoyer found rookie WR Tyquan Thornton in the back of the end zone. The big pass was a Hoyer pass deep right for 33 yards to Kristian Wilkerson to the Giants' 17-yard line. 

One interesting player who did not take part ...: Was rookie CB Marcus Jones. Jack Jones played, but Marcus did not. While he's coming back from shoulder surgeries, it would seem to speak well that the Patriots could be moving to a top cornerback group of Jalen Mills and Jonathan Jones on the outside, with Marcus Jones in the slot. That's the way they worked the previous two practices.

Interesting players who played a lot and/or late — which is usually not a great sign — Joejuan Williams, Shaun Wade, Ronnie Perkins, Cam McGrone and Anfernee Jennings. I'm not really worried about Jennings, they are just light at that position. 

SECOND GUESS

Patriots finally announced their practice schedule, and they will not hit the field again until Monday as Belichick has given them the weekend off for the second week in a row.

This is how they've gone recently:

8/5 Stadium jogthrough
8/6 OFF
8/7 OFF
8/8 Full pads, competitive
8/9 Full pads, 75 percent
8/10 OFF
8/11 Game, starters don't play
8/12 OFF (normal)
8/13 OFF
8/14 OFF
8/15 9:30 a.m., likely shells
8/16 Joint practice, fully competitive
8/17 Full pads, 75 percent
8/18 Game

Two fully competitive practices in 14 days.

FOUR UP

WR Tyquan Thornton: Won't wow anyone with a line of 2 catches for 9 yards, but Thornton did a nice job staying alive for the TD, and he displayed some nice route running before that. 

LB Mack Wilson: Had five tackles (four solo) in very limited time as he showed off his speed and flew to the ball. 

WR Kristian Wilkerson: Posted 8 catches for 99 yards and displayed some nice toughness on contested catches. 

LG Cole Strange: Wasn't perfect and it wasn't against the Giants' top-line talent (what they have of it), but I watched him closely and thought he did a nice job all-around. 

THREE DOWN

CB Joejuan Williams: Looks like we're getting to the end for the 2019 second-round pick. 

QB Bailey Zappe: Settled down in the second half, but his 3 of 9 for 16 yards and a sack in the first half was really rough. 

LB Harvey Langhi: Not sure of this, but I thought I saw him miss a couple of tackles. 

TOP PLAYS

INJURIES

OT Yodny Cajuste left and did not return. Stayed on sidelines.

OT Justin Herron left and did not return. Stayed on sidelines. Arlington Hambright shifted to tackle.

OG Bill Murray left the game.

TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

Patriots went with an offensive approach where you're just trying to move the ball and survive: Don't read into the offensive performance one way or the other. They didn't show any of the new stuff they've tried and failed at in practice. They went back to basics with a lot of double teams on the inside and quick hitters. A very basic approach and smart to do in a game like this. 

The in-game offensive line coaching is going to be interesting: When teams gameplan and bring designer blitzes and alignments, it's very important for the offensive line coach to get right on the adjustments needed. The way the Patriots did it tonight was fine for the preseason, but it will be tough to pull off in the regular season. If Patricia is the line coach on the field, he can't waste time pow-wowing on the offense and with the QBs, and vice versa. If he's the OC and playcaller, he needs to focus on overall adjustments. Certainly something to watch.