One big takeaway before we get into liked/didn't like, coaches' film analysis, ratings from the game and three up and three down.
_______________________
Just going to be honest: there wasn't much to take from the Patriots' defense in their opener against the Panthers. Carolina started their third-string quarterback, and only receiver Jonathan Mingo was listed as a starter from the group that took the field.
Still, the Patriots, who barely played their starters, did well by forcing 10 straight punts/kneeldowns. They played physical and fast. Tackled reasonably well for the first live action. And they generated a lot of pressure on the quarterback: about 40 percent.
This was DeMarcus Covington's debut as Patriots defensive coordinator. You're not going to get much information on schemes or coverage in the preseason. No one shows anything.
But I will say, one decision by Covington certainly jumped out: he blitzed on more than half the snaps.
Certainly a curious decision. Sure, the Patriots got a lot of pressure. But if you had to blitz to do it, is that significant?
I don't understand the thought process (to go along with the Drake Maye decision) of blitzing that much against an obviously weaker and weakened opponent. Maybe we got the answer from Covington today when he talked to the media. He obviously puts a premium on "dominating" the opponent. I guess it doesn't matter much that it's against Jack Plummer and a bunch of backups and third-stringers. Bully ball is in.
I would think the Patriots would get much more information on their bubble players (not to mention the secondary), if they went with just straight four-man rushes. Let's see them beat the guy in front of them. That's when we'll see something.
Scheming up pressure ... we've seen this movie before. It works against the weaker offenses and quarterbacks. The Patriots' defense gets fat and happy off those games. Then they play a real offense that can handle the scheme, and their top quarterback dices up the Patriots.
This week against the Eagles will be interesting on multiple fronts. This is a team that can handle the pressure the Patriots like to bring. That could lead to some issues, or it Covington could very well know what he's doing.
We'll know a lot more after this week.
Some film from the first quarter-plus, with my random thoughts while grading the film (didn't realize my cursor pointing didn't translate to the video, sorry about that):
LIKED/DIDN'T LIKE
Liked: Marco Wilson's closing quickly on the first pass breakup.
Didn't like: Wilson stopping his feet on the third down on the next drive when Mingo dropped the ball.
Liked: Christian Gonzalez in a few man snaps.
Didn't like: Gonzalez getting grabby and stopping his feet on the second play of the second drive when Marshall dropped the ball. That was a little lazy.
Liked: Jeremiah Pharms' pass rush ability.
Didn't like: Pharms' inability to hold up against double teams. Both he and Trysten Hill had big issues in this regard. I am really worried about the internal line run depth. It's non-existent
Liked: How Christian Elliss and Joe Giles-Harris fly around going forward.
Didn't like: Their sideline to sideline ability. Another unit that's pretty thin on this team. There's a lot of them.
Liked: The competitiveness in the secondary.
Didn't like: All the blitzing that didn't allow for much competition for the secondary. There's a lot to evaluate there between the cornerbacks and Jaylinn Hawkins at free safety. The blitzing made for a missed opportunity.
Liked: Oshane Ximines' pass rush. He's fast, physical and relentless.
Didn't like: Ximines setting the edge. You see him rush the pass and you ask, 'How come he hasn't caught on anywhere?' Then you watch him set the edge, dip inside and give up leverage multiple times ... there's your answer. Lack of discipline. If Belichick was still here, he'd either be benched or released. Times have changed.
THREE UP
DT Daniel Ekuale: Had a great run stuff and has always been able to pass rush.
DT Jeremiah Pharms: He's not a run defender, but he can rush the QB.
DE Oshane Ximines: He's a little light, but he knows how to rush the passer and set up blockers.
ONE DOWN
The blitzing: Sorry to harp on it, but it really annoyed me. Like bullying a weaker kid.
I could throw in some other names, but it would really be nitpicking and it's a little early for that.