FOXBOROUGH – As Robert Kraft admired Tom Brady and the legacy he left behind, the Patriots owner spoke from the heart. He also said the truth about what it’s been like for his franchise since Brady left.
“Since Tom’s departure, we’ve been reminded just how difficult it is to win in the NFL consistently,” Kraft said before unveiling a 17-foot statue of Brady on Friday evening.
That’s the brutal truth.
It’s the reason why Mike Vrabel was on the sideline during the Patriots’ preseason opener against the Washington Commanders. Kraft and fans alike hope that this new era of Patriots football is one that jumpstarts this once-dynastic franchise.
The new chapter started inside Gillette Stadium on Friday night with a small glimpse of what’s to come this season. Although the preseason success doesn’t always equate to regular season wins, Vrabel’s team is off to a good start following the Patriots 48-18 win over the Commanders.
Here are the main takeaways:
TreVeyon Henderson starts with a bang
That’s one way to open the preseason.
TreVeyon Henderson took the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown to start Friday night’s game. The rookie running back has showcased elite speed this offseason in New England. At 14:43 of the first quarter, everyone saw it as Henderson received the ball on the goal line and sprinted, nearly untouched, the entire length of the field to give the Patriots a 7-0 lead.
That speed was also on display in the second quarter when Henderson ran for a gain of 18 yards on his first carry of the night. The rookie also drew a facemask penalty, tacking on 15 yards to the run. Four plays later, Henderson caught a Maye pass, broke a tackle, and gained 9 yards. That led to another Patriots touchdown.
The rookie caught Maye’s first three passes against Washington.
Drake Maye’s night
That’s not exactly how Maye wanted to start his preseason
The Patriots’ opening drive ended in a turnover when Maye was strip-sacked by Commanders defensive lineman Ricky Barber. On third-and-8, the quarterback attempted to throw the ball away when he was being dragged to the turf. That’s when the ball came out of his hands. Commanders defensive end Jacob Martin recovered at 10:35 of the first quarter.
The Patriots offense looked better in the second drive, thanks to Henderson and Maye. After the rookie running back picked up two first downs, the Patriots quarterback ran in for a 5-yard touchdown on third down at 5:41 of the first quarter.
Maye played two series on Friday night. He finished completing 3-of-5 passes (all to Henderson) for 12 yards. He also ran twice for 16 yards and the touchdown.
Young cornerback shines
D.J. James’ rise continues.
This summer, the young cornerback has been one of the fastest risers on the Patriots depth chart. After spending last year on the practice squad, James has been one of the team’s best defensive backs in camp.
That’s why, with Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis out, James started on Friday with Alex Austin. At 3:22 of the first quarter, everyone saw that firsthand when James intercepted Washington quarterback Sam Hartman.
Undrafted rookie cornerback Jordan Polk also got into the action, intercepting Josh Johnson at 8:29 of the third quarter.
Youth movement on offensive line
The Patriots offensive line looked very, very young on Friday night.
The Patriots started three rookies in front of Maye with first-round pick left tackle Will Campbell, third-round pick left guard Jared Wilson, and seventh-round pick right tackle Marcus Bryant. Veterans Michael Onwenu (right guard) and Garrett Bradbury (center) started with the three rookies.
Wilson has been one of the standouts at camp. Drafted as a center, it didn’t take him long to beat out Cole Strange for the Patriots starting left guard position. At right tackle, veteran Morgan Moses is expected to start, but was limited in practice this week. Bryant has emerged as the top backup right tackle, overtaking Demontrey Jacobs in the last week.
The Kickoff return, part 2
The Patriots don’t lack explosive kickoff returners.
After Henderson’s touchdown return to open the game, Antonio Gibson took a kickoff and ran back 62 yards. He nearly broke loose before Noah Igbinoghene pushed him out of bounds at the Washington 29-yard line.
That set up the Patriots second touchdown of the night – a Joshua Dobbs 2-yard touchdown run at 2:37 of the second quarter.
Kicking competition
The Patriots kicking competition is in full swing. On Friday night, Vrabel rotated Andy Borregales and Parker Romo. As we’ve seen in training camp, both kickers were up to the task.
Borregales was perfect, hitting one field goal (from 22 yards) and three extra points. Romo was also perfect, hitting a 57-yard field goal while also converting on three extra point attempts.
Both have looked like bona fide NFL kickers this summer.
Stefon Diggs doesn’t play
On Wednesday, Stefon Diggs was a late arrival to the Patriots joint practice with the Commanders. When he practiced, the veteran receiver was limited.
On Friday night, Diggs highlighted the list of players who didn’t play in the Patriots preseason opener.
Without Diggs, the Patriots top three receivers were DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, and Mack Hollins.
Along with Diggs, also on that list were cornerback Christian Gonzalez, defensive tackle Christian Barmore, cornerback Carlton Davis, edge rusher Harold Landry, tackle Morgan Moses, edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson, receiver Kendrick Bourne, linebacker Jahlani Tavai, tackle Vederian Lowe, tackle/guard Caedan Wallace, and guard Sidy Sow.
Mike Vrabel did say that he expected every healthy player to play in the Patriots preseason opener. Most names on the above list fit into that category. Some, such as Barmore, Landry, and Moses, have been on a pitch count this summer.
Polk suffers injury
Ja’Lynn Polk suffered an apparent upper-body injury on Friday night.
After getting tackled at 4:47 of the second quarter, the receiver got up, holding his arm/shoulder. Polk, who had offseason shoulder surgery, went into the blue medical tent, into the locker room and did not return.
Jones starts, Jennings falls behind
With Landry and Chaisson not playing, the Patriots started Truman Jones at defensive end.
The Harvard alum was one of the team’s offseason award winners. Jones finished Friday’s game with four tackles, two solo. It was noteworthy that he started and played over veteran Anfernee Jennings.
Jennings finished with a career-high 78 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and nine quarterback hits last season. This summer, he’s been predominantly with the backups and behind Jones on the depth chart. He was one of the few veteran players to appear in the fourth quarter on Friday.
Jones spent last season on the Patriots practice squad and made his NFL debut in Week 18, making two tackles.
Undrafted rookie receiver steps up
Efton Chism had an outstanding spring but has been relatively quiet this summer.
That was until Friday night.
The undrafted rookie led all Patriots pass catchers with six receptions, 50 yards, and a touchdown. Chism had teammates on the sideline pumped up when he took a screen pass, lowered his shoulder, and ran over a Commanders defensive player.
The receiver caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Ben Wooldridge on fourth-and-1 at 6:35 of the fourth quarter.
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