For a rookie, there wasn't much to take issue with when it came to Christian Barmore's play.
After dropping in the draft because some teams questioned some of his intangibles, Barmore was a model player on and off the field for the Patriots. He finished second on the team with 48 total quarterback pressures, answered the bell every time, and was a solid all-around player.
To take the next step in his career, Barmore needs to earn more of a full-time role. To do that in New England, you need to be rock-solid against the run. Barmore wasn't bad against the run, but there's no question that pass rush was/is his calling card and the Patriots had other options that were better defending the run (Lawrence Guy, Deatrich Wise).
Barmore has received more practice time against the run this training camp as the team tests him to see if he's ready for a larger role. Two plays early against the Panthers showed that he deserves more looks when it comes to the regular season. We don't want to make too much out of two plays in a preseason game — against a questionable interior offensive line — but if Barmore keeps making plays like this against the run, he could be a regular starter in short order.
Video analysis of those plays, followed by our unit grades, pressure charts, plus/minus ratings and three up/down for both the offense and defense against the Panthers:
1-10-CAR 25 (15:00) D.Foreman left end to CAR 27 for 2 yards (J.Bentley).
On the first play of the game, the Panthers have late subs to go with two backs and two tight ends (tank personnel). Interestingly, the Patriots took Guy and Raekwon McMillan off the field and put Barmore and Anfernee Jennings, among others, on the field. Certainly a different look, not sure what to make of it.
At the snap, the Panthers are running outside zone to the left, which requires the linemen to give ground to gain ground in the scheme (gives them time to get an angle on the DL, and to read how they are attacking ... something the Patriots are struggling with mightily right now). LG Brady Christensen, a third-round pick last year who started a handful of games, gets jacked up by Barmore, who resets the line of scrimmage 2 yards back. Not exactly sure the Patriots coach a DT to go up field against the zone blocking scheme (it would help create a cutback lane and feed into the blocking scheme), but Barmore does disrupt the play.
2-10-CAR 32 (14:34) D.Foreman left guard to CAR 34 for 2 yards (J.Tavai; D.Godchaux).
This was probably the most impressive play by Barmore because he held up and beat a double team against the run with a couple of caveats: it was a TE/OT double team, not a guard and a tackle, and the LT Ikem Ekwonu — the sixth overall pick in the draft — does not do a good enough job securing his block before climbing to the next level. That left Barmore to jack up a tight end, which he should do 10 out of 10 times, and he did that. The impressive thing was that Barmore did not give ground on the initial double team. This is something he struggled with last year, and is an absolute must to be on the field more.
Again, these are just two plays and the Panthers are not The Hogs of Redskisn lore, but if you want Barmore on the field more, plays like this will lead to that. At the very least, seeing this on film should lead to the coaches giving him more opportunities.
OFFENSE
GB+/- are my tabulations on each play for impactful good plays, or when they didn't perform up to snuff. Obviously all an educated guess on my account. Dividing by plays gives a rough estimate on how impactful a player was or wasn't in their playing time. Don't compare players across their position groups, they should be grouped together and will as we get multiple games (QBs are judged different than OL and WRs in terms of how many plays they really impact).
QUARTERBACKS (2 out of 5)
No question that it was a very rough debut for Mac Jones, who basically did nothing outside the perfect throw to Nelson Agholor that was aided by Jones holding the single high safety. Perfect pass, and very much needed to gain some confidence. Jones looks like he doesn't have much at this point, and he needs to find some quickly. ... Yes, DeVante Parker could have caught the first pass but there was absolutely no reason for that pass to be behind him. Poor pass. ... Jones slipped getting back to his drop that led to the high pass to Jakobi Meyers. Still needed be better. ... Jones had a perfect pocket on his red zone scramble. Yes, it got positive yards, but he could have dumped the ball to Montgomery or waited for something to develop to Jonnu Smith. It's the preseason, might as well try something that you can apply in the regular season. ... You could make the argument that Brian Hoyer is playing more confidence in this scheme than Jones at this point. ... Bailey Zappe is an adventure. Had him for three plus throws. The pick-six can't happen. Ball took forever to get there. He needs to develop more velocity down the field. Some of his throws take a while to get there.
RUNNING BACKS (2.5 out of 5)
Damien Harris had a good hard run to start the game and an excellent blitz pickup. ... Rhamondre Stevenson needs to get his head around quicker if he wants to get some pass reps. ... Montgomery is going to cause personnel issues/decisions for defenses, sort of like Aaron Hernandez/Cordarrelle Patterson did. If they go with a linebacker, he goes in motion. If it's a DB, then run the ball. Showed some nice swivel and unexpected toughness carrying the ball. ... JJ Taylor impressed but that drop, for the role he is trying to win, is an absolute killer. ... Pierre Strong showed a little quickness but does way too much pitter-pattering with his feet. Needs to go. Does remind of a young James White. Light on feet. ... Good hard run by Kevin Harris but they aren't giving him many chances.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS (3 out of 5)
Good run block by Jonnu Smith on the TD. ... Devin Asiasi is a liability blocking and he shows little toughness after catching the ball. He needs to take a big step or else spot could be in jeopardy. ... Lil'Jordan Humphrey certainly is a preseason hero but how many spots do you have for receivers with little juice after the catch? He's a possession receiver and the Patriots have one with Meyers. Ten years ago, maybe. Game has changed.
OFFENSIVE LINE (2 out of 5)
Totally revamped offensive line with Brown and Wynn out, but the blocking was subpar. Not a ton of pressure, but the big issue is with the run blocking. It is largely a mess with every blocker using different techniques and timing. The lack of detail in the run blocking is a big worry at this point. They have to spend more time working on it. ... At first blush, thought Cole Strange — wearing gloves this time — had a really strong game, but a rewatch showed that he mostly struggled, although he had two dynamite run blocks getting to the second level, and a well-done sustained pass block. Strange still gets overaggressive and his technique is sloppy. Not unusual for a rookie. Still a good player. Long ways to go. ... James Ferentz has made strides as a center but has a tough time at guard. ... Onwenu had a good block on Montgomery's touchdown and his clean sheet at right tackle has to give the coaching staff some doubts about moving him. Bottom line: he's been a much better tackle than guard with the Patriots. ... Love me some Arlington Hambright. He's a good guard and a solid tackle. I would take a look at him at RG this week with Ownenu at RT. ... Drew Desjarlais is fading.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
OFFENSE 3 UP
RB Ty Montgomery: Makes the Patriots faster and challenges defensive coordinators to match up.
RT Mike Onwenu: Perfect game back at tackle. When are the Patriots going to done trying him at guard?
WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey: Is this enough to make the team? Have my doubts but has certainly earned a longer look.
3 DOWN
QB Mac Jones: Make one play in nine dropbacks against second and third stringers. Needs to be better and might have been had he played against the Giants.
LG Cole Strange: Has a lot of technique stuff that needs to be cleaned up, and you have to wonder if he's getting good enough coaching. He'd be a complete stud if Dante Scarnecchia was still here.
RG James Ferentz: Allowed a sack and a hurry. He's a much better center.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
DEFENSE
GB+/- are my tabulations on each play for impactful good plays, or when they didn't perform up to snuff. Obviously all an educated guess on my account. Dividing by plays gives a rough estimate on how impactful a player was or wasn't in their playing time. Don't compare players across their position groups, they should be grouped together and will as we get multiple games (QBs are judged different than OL and WRs in terms of how many plays they really impact).
LINE (5 out of 5)
Outstanding job by this group against a young and subpar Panthers offensive line. Very few issues outside of some penalties, one gap (Guy) and edge (Jennings). ... Ronnie Perkins came to life against scrubs but at least he's being productive. ... Sam Roberts continued to play well in the games. Could be pushing Henry Anderson for a roster spot. ... Starters Matthew Judon, Lawrence Guy and Deatrich Wise all were very strong. Davon Godchaux was solid but didn't stand out. His penalty was totally warranted ... DaMarcus Mitchell had an outstanding spin move for pressure. Would like to see him on the practice squad. ... Anfernee Jennings had Ninovich-like qualities. ... Carl Davis has been arguably the best player in the two games.
LINEBACKERS (4 out of 5)
Very strong game from Ja'Whaun Bentley. He loves to scream into the line. Had one issue in pass coverage. ... Looks like Kyle Dugger expected Raekwon McMillan to scrap over the top to the outside on a third down conversion. McMillan is boom and bust at times. Same way with Dolphins. ... Mack Wilson studied up this week. After being poor against the pass vs. Giants, he made two dynamite plays against Panthers. ... Cam McGrone made a play, and two more poor ones. ... The coaches love Jahlani Tavai. Still waiting to see evidence of why. Lack of speed got exposed on long catch and run.
SECONDARY (3 out of 5)
Everyone seemed to make a play, which is a positive. ... Joshuah Bledsoe's forced fumble was a good play. ... Shaun Wade's INT was more a terrible read by PJ Walker than good play by Wade. ... Worried about Jonathan Jones' grabbiness once the regular season comes. Could have been flagged twice, once near the end zone. At times he makes Brandon Browner look like a pacifist.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
DEFENSE 3 UP
LB Ja'Whaun Bentley: Reading the play quickly, and playing fast.
DT Carl Davis: Best defensive player in the two games. Dominates the two-gap.
CB Shaun Wade: Keeps making plays and is banging on the roster door.
2 DOWN
LB Cam McGrone: Beginning to look like he needs more development on the practices squad.
LB Jahlani Tavai: Got roasted by someone named Giovanni Ricci for 21 yards.