4:25 PM ET, October 13, 2013
Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA
60°FHigh
Partly Cloudy
- Chance of rain: 20%
- Wind: ENE at 9 mph
- Humidity: 76%
- Match Up to Watch:
- Rob Ryan vs Tom Brady:
- I believe the biggest factor for the Saint 5-0 start is Rob Ryan. Yes, I know Sean Payton has brought the offense back but lets understand….Saints defense was the worst in the NFL last year. They lost to 2-14 Kansas City Chiefs! (Now, that doesn’t look bad since the Chiefs are 1 of 3 undefeated teams in NFL this year) New Orleans set the NFL record for most yards allowed in a season. In the first 5 games, Rob Ryan has them ranked 11th in total defense and 4th in points allowed (14.6 per game).
- It has been no secret that Patriots offense is not the what it use to be. Is it because of the wide receivers? Maybe. Is it because there is no Gronk or Welker? Possibly. Is it because Tom Brady is not as great anymore? NOW YOU TAKE BACK THAT CRAZY TALK! Sorry, i lost my cool. There are many factors in the offensives woes but the one thing about a Belchick team, they will continue to improve and work at it. Great test verses a defensive coordnatior who likes to confuse offense with schemes and disguises. If anything, it will be a great match up between two proven people in the NFL.
- Players to Watch:
- New Orleans:
- Safety- Kenny Vaccaro
- Nose Tackle- John Jenkins
- New England:
- Outside Linebacker- Jamie Collins
- Wide Receiver- Kembrell Thompkins
- #32 Kenny Vaccaro: 6’0 214, Texas1st round 15th pick, Position- Safety
Strength:
+ Can really shed a block off a receiver.
+ He is a menace on the field. Hitting hard at all phase of the game.
+ His play recognition is really good. Was able to see the play action
react to the play.
+ Breaks on the pass or route so well. Breaks up many plays.
+ Knows how to blitz and get pressure on the QB
Needs Improvement:
– Will leave his feet when he makes a tackle. Must stay on his feet.
– Miss times his jump and is ineffective in jump ball situations.
– Needs to work with his position coach on press coverage technique
against a receiver.
– Ball skills are not at the level you want them for a safety.
#92 John Jenkins: 6’4 236, Georgia
3rd round 97th pick, Position- Nose Tackle
Strength:
+ Keeps driving his legs so he can get some push.
+ Able to get skinny and shoot the gap.
+ Shed blocking skills are above average and go makes a tackle.
+ Clogs the middle of the offensive line. They are not able to move him.
Needs Improvement:
– Got to take on cut blocks better and stay upright.
– Need to use leverage better. Can get too high at times.
– Weak motor. Hot and cold in effort on the field.
#91 Jamie Collins: 6’3 250, Southern Mississippi
2nd round 52 pick, Position- Defensive End
Strength:
+ Understands how to take on blocks and taking on the blocks at the point of attack.
+ If he doesn’t get a pass rush then he gets his hands up and deflect passes.
+ Unbelievable motor. Never quits on the play.
+ He has worked with his coaches on his hands and you can tell because he is never Velcro to a lineman.
+ Such a strong upper body, he tosses bigger offensive linemen like they are a rag doll.
+ Really sets the edge well and does not allow the big run on the outside.
Needs Improvement:
– Has to stay at home and don’t fall for the window dressing.
– Covers too much grass when he is in coverage.
– Work on taking on double teams better. Can’t allow them to push you back to the 2nd level.
#85 Kenbrell Thompkins: 6’0 195
Undrafted Free Agent, Position- Wide Receiver
Strength:
+ Shows effort when his blocking down the field.
+ He made the starting roster even with the Patriots drafted guys early. He has out played them in practice.
+ Tom Brady must trust him because he gets a lot of targets in the game.
+ Can go up in the air and grab the football.
Needs Improvement:
– Hands tend to fail him from time to time.
– Double catches the pass which doesn’t allow him to run after the catch.
Hard Count 