The New England Patriots opened their preseason Thursday night at Gillette Stadium with a 13-13 tie to the Indianapolis Colts.
Here is who caught our eye for better or worse upon live-viewing the Patriots’ preseason opener.
Winners
WR Kyle Williams: The second-year receiver got the Patriots their first preseason touchdown as he showcased his talented release package to win off the line of scrimmage before hauling in a 12-yard back shoulder touchdown from Tommy DeVito. Near the end of the half, Williams then
kickstarted a drive by working back through contact and then picking up YAC to record a 25-yard drive starter. The speedster then got open on a downfield go route the very next snap for a potential long score but the ball was under-thrown — although Mike Vrabel shared he would have liked Williams to work back to the ball to try and draw defensive pass interference.
Either way, Williams showcased his big-play ability and explosive speed that will earn him a role in this offense.
TE Eli Raridon: The box score shows a measly one catch on four targets for eight yards for the rookie tight end. But, Raridon had a 24-yard reception where he took off out of the flat on a bootleg concept negated due to an illegal man downfield and had a nice block on the Patriots longest run of the night. Raridon was one the wrong side of other plays in the passing game to hurt his box score but his explosiveness and work in the run game passed the eye test.
S John Saunders Jr: As he did to end Tuesday’s joint practice, John Saunders recorded an interception off Riley Leonard deep down the middle of the field. The safety, who drew a start next to Dell Pettus and Mike Brown in the secondary, also tallied a pair of run stuffs
Losers
K Andy Borregales: New England’s sophomore kicker has enjoyed a strong start to training camp of date, but it was a different story as work transitioned to the preseason. Borregales connected on just 2-of-his-5 field goal attempts with misses from 56, 55, and 49 — the final coming with 13 seconds left in a tie game.
“We expect him to make them,” Mike Vrabel said. “That’s pro football. They’re banging them in from 60 yards. They have two kickers on their roster. Andy knows we have to make those field goals.”
Guard depth: The Patriots guard depth has been a question mark this summer, and that group got off to a poor start both health and performance wise Thursday night. Top interior backup Ben Brown departed with an injury, although the 28-year old shared he was “OK” in the post game locker room as he walked with a limp but no brace, boot, etc. Andrew Rupcich, who has served as the top option next to Brown, also spent time in the blue medical tent but remained on the sideline. Behind them, both James Hudson and Mehki Butler surrendered sacks.
Honorable mentions
- Top rookies: First-round pick Caleb Lomu played 39 snaps at right tackle in his debut. He allowed just one pressure, but was on scene for a run stuff and was downfield to negate Raridon’s explosive. As for Jacas, the pass rusher tallied a run stuff and helped push the pocket on Kindle Vildor’s early interception. Jacas’ aggressiveness worked against him at times, however, as crashed down to allow a 22-yard read option keeper and 17-yard completion in the flat.
- Before DeVito’s touchdown to Williams, it was a shaky accuracy night for the QB — in addition to backup Behren Morton — with some sprays.
- Jam Miller was our winner in the RB3 battle tonight carrying the ball 14 times for 55 yards. Lan Larison did post six catches for 38 yards.
- Efton Chism III had a crisp 20-yard crossing route on third-down on the Patriots first touchdown drive. Kobe Prentice (3 catches, 40 yards) and Cameron Dorner (1 catch, 18 yards) also flashed in the wide receiver room.
- Bradyn Swinson logged three pressures in 23 pass rush attempts and had a fourth-down batted pass. He did play into the fourth quarter as Jacas and Quintayvious Hutchins drew the start.
- LB K.J. Britt had back-to-back impact plays with a two-yard TFL before chasing down Anthony Richardson to force a fumble.
- Rookie cornerback Karon Prunty blew up a perimeter screen by beating his block.
