Tom Brady and JJ Watt on the field in the preseason? This game started with the feeling of the regular season, and there were some talented players showing off the depth for both squads. What can we take from it?
Houston Texans
- Bruce Ellington showed out – with a sideline grab, a bunch of snags and a huge gain on a slant in the middle of the field in the second quarter. I loved him coming out of South Carolina, and it would be great if he could stay healthy this year. He’s a great weapon.
- JJ Watt had a couple of big plays, and looked great. We should all be excited for his return.
- Lamar Miller doesn’t look like he runs with any decisiveness at all. D’Onta Foreman, on the other hand, had a great game. He’s got a toughness, an attitude, and the power and balance to churn through tackles that Miller lacks. I’m a big believer in the rookie – I wonder how soon he’ll make this a running back competition. Also, it was noteworthy that Miller was pulled for Alfred Blue and Tyler Ervin at the goal line.
- Tom Savage looked serviceable, and showed a couple of good things. He was certainly better than Deshaun Watson, who struggled a lot with accuracy on moving targets. He also threw a couple of dangerous balls that should have been picked off.
New England Patriots
- Tom Brady didn’t play for long, but he connected with Brandin Cooks early. I have a really strong feeling this is going to be a special connection. Brady actually had a ball picked off on a great play by Andre Hal, but Hal just couldn’t keep his feet inbounds.
- James White took a pass for a first down early, but Rex Burkhead stole the show. He displayed great hands in the passing game, pounded the ball between the tackles, and scored a touchdown on a great Texas concept that had him singled up on a linebacker who Burkhead juked out of his skin. Dion Lewis also showed off his jets later on – we already know he catches the ball well, and he did that too – and he also broke some tackles. Then Brandon Bolden had his turn, then DJ Foster. This running back group is (once again) going to be impossible to predict.
- Cyrus Jones had a real nice punt return – he could be dangerous back there.
- Jimmy Garoppolo wasn’t all too impressive. In fact, he struggled. He almost threw a pick early on, got popped from the front side and fumbled the ball, then coughed up an awful interception later in the game. Is he really the future, or a valuable trade chip? I hope a team doesn’t go “all in” without seeing more regular season action.
- Both Malcolm Mitchell and Austin Carr will make plays for this team during the year. While neither are special, the Patriots always find a way for solid contributors to contribute.
James Simpson 