Imagine a football fan who had been living under a rock for the past 20 years catching Friday’s New England Patriots-Carolina Panthers matchup.
He’s never heard of Tom Brady or Cam Newton. How do you think he ranks the quarterback play from the Patriots’ 19-17 win?
He’s probably puts Jacoby Brissett, who went 9 of 9 for 85 yards with a touchdown, first. Then maybe Tom Brady, if only for his touchdown pass to Chris Hogan alone. Joe Webb might go third for his two touchdown-leading drives. Then Jimmy Garoppolo, Cam Newton and Derek Anderson.
Before anyone asks, no, it’s not time for a Patriots quarterback controversy. Garopollo was facing the reigning NFC champion’s first-team defense, while Brissett played against scrubs.
It’s just fascinating to think, at face value, a third-round rookie out-shined two of the NFL’s best quarterbacks Friday night.
Let’s go through Garoppolo’s worst start of the preseason.
PASSING ATTACK
Jimmy Garoppolo’s incompletions:
1. Thrown directly at Luke Kuechly
2. Hit while throwing
3. Thrown away while no one was open
4. Overthrown to Chris Hogan
5. Aaron Dobson drop
6. Overthrew Keshawn Martin after scramble drill
— I can’t imagine it helped Garoppolo to be yanked midway through his start to be replaced by Tom Brady for four series. But things happen during games, and what’s why head coach Bill Belichick puts his players through these situations. It was Garoppolo’s worst performance of the summer, but it wasn’t horrific. Garoppolo’s receivers weren’t doing him many favors. His first incompletion — an attempt to Julian Edelman — was his worst.
Tom Brady’s incompletions
1. Julian Edelman drop
2. High throw to Martellus Bennett
3. Thrown too far out of bounds to Bennett
4. AJ Derby drop
5. Batted at the line
6. Inaccurate pass to Bennett, nearly intercepted
— Brady’s sixth incompletion was by far his worst pass. Otherwise, his receivers had two drops, there was one batted pass and his other two incompletions were safe.
Jacoby Brissett had no incompletions
— Brissett was very solid. Of his nine completions, four were to running backs and two more, to receiver Chris Harper and tight end Bryce Williams, were short passes. He made nice throws, however, and showed off impressive escapability.
— Chris Hogan stood out positively among Patriots receivers. He hauled in five catches for 62 yards with a touchdown and seems to be fitting in nicely.
— Running back D.J. Foster showed impressive hands and burst as a pass catcher. He’s an intriguing player to watch.
PASS PROTECTION
Nate Solder: .5 sack, three hurries
James White: sack, QB hit
Ted Karras: .5 sack, two hurries
LaAdrian Waddle: two hurries
Cameron Fleming: QB hit
Joe Thuney: hurry
— The Patriots’ pass protection seemed to be a weak point upon first glance, but they actually held up pretty well on rewatch. The O-line, for the most part, gave the Patriots’ quarterback enough time to throw.
— Notice who you don’t see on that list? Marcus Cannon. Cannon and David Andrews were clean, among starters.
— Karras was fine, but it seems there are better options to start at right guard. Two of them — Jonathan Cooper (plantar fasciitis) and Shaq Mason (broken hand) — are injured, however.
PASS RUSH
Geneo Grissom: Two QB hits, three hurries
Chris Long: four hurries
Anthony Johnson: three hurries
Trey Flowers: sack, hurry
Rufus Johnson: two hurries
Joe Vellano: QB hit
Vincent Valentine: hurry
Jamie Collins: hurry
Elandon Roberts: hurry
Woodrow Hamilton: hurry
— Grissom continues to pile up the pressures, but they’re coming against second and third stringers. So, how impressive are they? He has a tendency to come off the edge out of control, causing him to miss sacks.
— The Patriots were forced to contain Cam Newton rather than pin their ears back and fully pressure him. Long, Johnson and Flowers stood out positively.
PASS COVERAGE
Cre’Von LeBlanc: 4-11, 51 yards, PBU
Vinnie Sunseri: 4-4, 47 yards, TD
Jordan Richards: 3-4, 44 yards, TD
Cyrus Jones: 2-4, 23 yards
Jonathan Freeny: 1-1, 18 yards
Malcolm Butler: 2-3, 15 yards
Jamie Collins: 1-2, 12 yards
Jonathan Jones: 1-4, 12 yards, PBU
Justin Coleman: 2-5, 11 yards
Ramon Humber: 1-1, 11 yards
Logan Ryan: 1-5, 9 yards, INT
Dont’a Hightower: 1-1, 3 yards
Kevin Snyder: 0-1
Patrick Chung: 0-1
Darryl Roberts: 0-4
Chris Long: PBU
Devin McCourty: INT
Duron Harmon: INT
— LeBlanc was very impressive prior to giving up a 34-yard completion on fourth down in the fourth quarter.
— Jordan Richards has struggled in man coverage through the entire preseason now. He’s let up five catches on six targets for 119 yards with a touchdown. That’s his lack of speed showing up. He only ran a 4.65-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.
— The Rutgers crew stood out, with three interceptions and just one 9-yard reception allowed.
Thumbnail photo via Jim Dedmon/USA TODAY Sports Images
