The Quick Slant: Some Thoughts and Notes on the Pats/Fins MNF Matchup

During the Patriots and Dolphins season opener last night I jotted down some random thoughts and notes I took away from the game. Going into the game the Patriots were burdened with some heavy optimism stemming from the additions of WR Chad Ochochinco and a slew of DL’s, namely Albert Haynesworth, Shaun Ellis, and Andre Carter. A spot to watch was also the safety position with 2 time Pro Bowl (as the 9^th alternate safety but a pro bowler none the less) Brandon Meriweather getting cut after the preseason finale. In light of this optimism I tried to pay attention to a few key details. If you watched the game you know that in the end the Patriots shellacked the Dolphins to the tune of 38-24 with Tom Brady throwing for 517 yards (career high and franchise record not to mention 5^th most all time) and 4 scores. Without further adieu here are the snippets:

-Tom ‘Terrific’ looked just that. He was in total control of the offense connection with weapons all over the field. It was opening night and yet the Pats were running a no huddle offense to perfection leaving the Dolphins gasping for air and unable to make any substitutes during the Patriots many scoring drives. The TE’s (namely Gronkowski and Hernandez…wait do I need to specify Rob now that his brother Dan is on the team?) torched the Dolphins DB’s and LB’s all night to the finally tally of 13 rec, 189 yards, and 2 scores combine.

-Chad Ochocinco is going to be fine but he’s just not caught up with the offensive lingo yet. He didn’t get much run and was only targeted 3 times making 1 catch for 14 yards. Check back later in the year when he’s on the same page as Brady and he’ll be the weapon we all hope and expect him to become.

-The acquistion of Deion Branch at the trade deadline last year is still paying dividends. Him and Brady have an uncanny connection. When Vontae Davis had to run off the field due to cramps Branch and Brady abused his replacement (Nolan Carroll) for a full drive. It got to the point where Brady wasn’t even calling plays but hiking the ball and just waiting for Branch to shake Carroll and grab 8 to 10 yards.

-Danny Woodhead looks just as good the second time around and BenJarvus Green-Ellis is a key goal line bruiser. Woodhead found a way to get to the edge and he ended up with a team high 14 carries for 69 yards. Green-Ellis is the team’s feature back but he only had 7 carries for 34 yards last night more due more to matchups and Woodhead’s effectivness than anything else. In the middle of the field though the Patriots still struggle to run up the gut and wear defenses down in the middle.

-The defense looks much improved against the pass and they put pressure on Chad Henne as the game progressed with Andre Carter and Mark Anderson racking up a sack each. The first drive the Dolphins marched down the field but they didn’t do it again until the game was seemingly out of reach. Albert Haynesworth was a beast in the middle in the 3^rd and 4^th quarters constantly beating up on rookie Mike Pouncey and wreaking havoc on Henne. Ninkovich also had a good game putting a good amount of pressure on the QB. Henne did finish with 416 yards on 30/49 passing but a decent amount of those yards came once the Patriots had pulled back and gone into a cover 2/3 shell. Don’t get me wrong though by no means does the defense look great but it does look better than it did at times last year holding the Fins to 2/14 on 3^rd downs.

-They still struggle to stop the run as Reggie Bush gashed them early though they got stingier as the game went on and you could see how Haynesworth is going to have an impact. On the first drive Haynesworth didn’t play until late in the drive and the Dolphins had a field day. When he got in though on one play he plugged the gap, shed two blockers and hit Reggie Bush at the line taking him down with his free arm while the other arm occupied blockers. Star LB Jerod Mayo moving to the outside means that someone (Brandon Spikes) is going to have to step up and plug the gaps in the middle of the field. Towards the end of the game when Vince Wilfork and Haynesworth were playing side by side the Dolphins realized they couldn’t run up the middle anymore. If that duo gets in sync together it will greatly alter the other teams ability to gash the defense for long runs.

-The CB’s are big which is new for the Patriots. Rookie Ras-I Dowling and second-year man Devin McCourty are both big corners who can play with large receivers unlike their cornerman of the past (Darius Butler). Ras-I Dowling got some playing time and looked good stopping Marshall from making a TD catch at one point and defending Hartline on another 4^th down and goal fade. He played much better than I anticipated he would being physical with the Dolphins. McCourty struggled a little bit getting beat on more than a few occasions by Brandon Marshall who racked up 139 yards on 7 catches. He’ll find his rhythm though and be fine he’s too good of a corner to get beat up on every game. At the safety position Patrick Chung is going to be able to fill the shoes Meriweather left and more. He’s a leader on that defense and Sergio Brown and Josh Barrett played all right alongside him. Chung was all over the field recording 9 solo tackles, a sack, and a pass defended.

Well there you have it folks that’s what I took away from the Monday night affair between the Patriots and Dolphins let me know what else you noticed or if you think that I’m totally off base.

Until we cross paths again,

Geoff Jablonski