Patriots-Giants Highs And Lows
FOXBORO (CBS) - The New England Patriots concluded their preseason against the Giants at Gillette Stadium Thursday night, with Levan Reid there to break it all down.
Final Thoughts
- For the game, the Pats should not have let a team that played a couple of day ago out-play them. They played a very sloppy fourth quarter and let the game slip away. Not sure what this preaseason was about, but they seem way behind.
- Hoyer looked rushed in this game. In fact, he looked like Tom Brady looked against Detroit. I hope that's not an indication. There was a point in this game where Haynesworth was gasping for air. I hope he is in better shape or they use him towards his conditioning strenghths.
- I think Brandon Tate is cut, I feel Darius Butler dodged a bullet and I think Stevan Ridley is a player. Cut day is on Saturday, and we will have answers to everything by then.
- It was good to see Haynesworth and Ellis out there. The Pats told us they were going to go vanilla and they did. They play the Giants again this season so showing anything was not going to happen. Would have love to see Gronk and Deion Branch get more into the mix but both of them, despite strong camps were not productive in the preseason. That could be by design though.
Final: Giants 18, Patriots 17
3rd Quarter
The Highs:
- The Pats keep putting the Giants at long field goals and the G-men keep missing. It's that "bend don't break" defense.
- The defense is still playing relatively well. Ross Ventrone had a nice shoe-lace tackle to stop a drive. The Giants back-ups are tired and look it. Remember, this team just played on Monday night.
- Ryan Mallett to Shane Vereen for a nice out of the backfield 8 yard completion. Good to see Vereen get some PT after battling a hamstring injury during camp, but...
The Lows:
- The Pats start out the quarter with another penalty. Vereen on a chop block. Third down play and Brian Hoyer gets sacked and fumbles. He recovered it, but it was a slow start to the second half for the Pats.
- Back to Vereen. He was up and down; getting yards and then losing some. He has not looked very consistent.
- Hoyer is having a tough time in the pocket. Another fumble on the Pats second possession of the quarter. He was sacked to end the drive.
Patriots up 17-3 after three quarters
2nd Quarter
The Highs:
- The Pats score on the first play on the quarter. BenJarvus Green-Ellis again from the one. He only has four carries, two of them into the endzone.
- On the kickoff right after the touchdown, Slater with a good tackle. He is making sure he'll be on this squad.
- The Pats recover another fumble at the 2-yard line. Andre Carter with the recovery. Defense is swarming once again, which is a great sign. Shaun Ellis also got after the quarterback late in half.
The Lows:
- The Giants were able to run the ball and get the ball down to the 2-yard line before fumbling the rock.
- Guyton had a fumble recovery on the punt return, but the Pats had a penalty that negated a possible touchdown.
- Too many penalties in this half. New England finished with five for 46 yards. Bill will have a few things to yell about in the locker room.
Patriots up 17-3 at the half
1st Quarter
The Highs:
- First play of the game, defense steps up. Giants fumble the ball and the Pats recover and take it to the one. Rob Ninkovich caused it and Patrick Chung recovered it. The Pats turn that immediately into points. BenJarvus Green-Ellis with the one yard touchdown. Pats on the board.
- More good defense on the next drive, as Devin McCourty comes back on an under thrown ball and picks it off. Pats get the ball back in Giants territory.
Read: Levan Reid's Patriots Blog
- A nice pass on the Pats next possession from Brady to Ochocinco. The Pats turn the interception into three points
- Albert Haynesworth, seeing his first action as a Patriot, comes up with a tackle and helps the defense force a Giants punt. No sure how long he will stay in, but he's big and makes a difference.
- The New England defense holds the Giants to a field goal after a long punt return. Gary Guyton comes up with a sack on third down to stop the drive.
- The Pats finishing out the quarter strong with Tom Brady hitting Matthew Slater for 64 yards. Slater has a 40, 50 and now a 60 yard catch in the preseason. He could be the deep threat the Pats are looking for...
The Lows:
- Pats got the first down on their 3rd drive of the quarter but a holding call on Matt Light negated it all. They had to punt away and the Giants got a 42 yard return that out them in Pats territory.
- Brandon Tate tried to return a kickoff and only got to the 10. He hasn't gotten to the 15 this preseason. It's an uphill battle for him now as he tries to make the team.
-Corner Kyle Arrington left with an injury after the opening kickoff. Rookie Ras-I Dowling took his spot amongst the starters on defense.
Patriots up 10-3 after the first quarter
