Almost exclusively relying on backup players and depth options, the New England Patriots lost their preseason finale in lopsided fashion on Thursday night. The New York Giants got the better of Mike Vrabel’s team to the tune of a 42-10 blowout defeat.
Here is who caught our eye for better or worse upon live viewing.
Winners
WR Jeremiah Webb: The undrafted wide receiver has been trending upwards lately in camp, and ended the preseason on a high note leading the team with three catches for 31 yards while hauling in New England’s long touchdown of the night. Webb also added a 22-yard punt return a week after breaking a long kick return. Webb, who has received positive remarks from Mike Vrabel this offseason, projects as a strong practice strong candidate ahead of NFL cutdown day.
S Kyle Dugger: Entering the night facing question marks about his future, Dugger had a better performance Thursday night and did not play deep into the fourth quarter as he did last week. While his interception was largely due to a miscommunication from the Giants perspective, Dugger was in the right area as he was on numerous downfield incompletions leading to two pass deflections and six tackles.
“I thought he flashed. I thought he triggered. I thought he tackled. I thought his length showed up — all these things,” Mike Vrabel said post game. “And we didn’t blitz anybody tonight. We didn’t do any of that. Just playing in our base scheme and those things I thought showed up tonight.”
LB Marte Mapu: Mapu continues to look more comfortable back at linebacker, as he tallied five total tackles and had a strong pass breakup in coverage on a running back. With limited depth at the linebacker position and Jahlani Tavai still sidelined, finding room for Mapu, who also adds special teams value, on the 53-man roster seems worthwhile.
Losers
OL Cole Strange and Sidy Sow: Roster spots were up for grabs for New England’s top reserve offensive line, but the duo of Strange and Sow did not appear to help themselves in live action. While Sow was the first of the group to join the starters on the sidelines, he failed to pick up a stunt by Abdul Carter on New England’s first drive leading to a pressure before not reaching a Giants defender on a pull leading to a tackle for loss.
Serving as center No. 2 behind Ben Brown, Strange was called for a hold and had a muffed exchange with Ben Wooldridge in addition to a high snap.
Depth cornerbacks: The Giants passing attack moved the ball efficiently Thursday night at the expense of New England’s depth corners. That started with Miles Battle allowing a touchdown on the opening drive to tight end Greg Dulcich, while Kobee Minor also allowed a touchdown late. Jordan Polk was then flagged twice for holding.
K Andy Borregales: The rookie handled both of New England’s field goals and the lone extra point — usage that would indicate he’s the leader in the clubhouse for the starting kicking job. But, Borregales’ struggles from distance continued as he pushed a 49-yard field goal wide right before rebounding with a 30-yard chip shot.
Honorable mentions
- Drawing the start, Wooldridge was sharp on New England’s lone touchdown drive while his pick-six appeared to be when he was expecting Jaheim Bell to sit down. Wooldridge did have three batted passes. The Amazon broadcast relayed that Josh McDaniels and the coaching staff were working to raise his release this summer to avoid such problems.
- Javon Baker failed to haul in either of his two targets with both hitting his hands before being broken up by Giants defenders (the second pass being slightly behind him). He also was called for an OPI penalty on a screen, but rebounded in the kicking game by running a blocker into a returner to force a fumble.
- John Jiles converted a pair of third downs on New England’s scoring drive. Like Webb, he seems like a strong practice squad candidate.
- Jared Wilson logged 10 snaps at left guard and appeared to do strong work in the run game and be clean in pass pro.
- Keion White played into the second quarter as Vrabel noted he continues to have things to work on. While White drew a hold, he didn’t seem to make much of an impact elsewhere.
- Kyle Peko, a late summer add, logged a pair of pressures and QB hit on Jaxson Dart.
- Marcus Epps was in coverage on a pair of late touchdown passes.
- Jabrill Peppers’ playing time was so the coaching staff could get him reps next to Craig Woodson in the secondary — something they have not been able to do in preseason action to date.
