Preview: Ravens @ Patriots

by MaPatsFan on Aug 7, 2008 9:49 AM EDT in News

The first preseason game is here. The festivities begin at 7:30 tonight on WCVB and many of us will be watching. As I've written before, this is not about winning, but about evaluating players in a game/pressure situation against another team. Vets are looking to get a few reps, younger guys guaranteed a spot are looking to show why the team should have faith in them and guys on the bubble want to impress. Thus begins the evaluation to get us to a 53 man roster. JHR has done a most excellent job running down the O-line, so I won't even attempt to focus attention there. Below are my random thoughts about some positions I'm interested in.

Quarterback - you will see very little of Brady, if at all. The real shootout is between Cassel and Gutierrez. Is Matt G. knocking on the door of Backup QB. It's a tight race, so who knows. A tie will go to Cassel unless Matt G can impress. I think O'Connell will go to the practice squad as insurance for the end of Cassel's contract, up in 2008.

Cornerback - These guys have been impressive in TC, but they're playing against the backup QB's and such. In addition, they've not seen much of Welker and Moss. I'm interested in Wheatley and Wilhite and especially Bryant; many say Fernando will be the heir apparent to the spot vacated by Asante. Hobbs is recently off the PUP, so don't expect to see him take many snaps.

Receiver - I think Moss will take a few throws as he's healthy, but Welker is recently off the PUP with a groan injury, so he won't be in. "The Chad" is the one to watch, in my mind. With so much pressure on him to step up to Stallworth's spot, I want to see something. Recent acquisition Slater will be in as well as Washington and Aiken.

Linebacker - Mayo and Crable will see a lot of action. Vrabel just came of the PUP and Bruschi doesn't need to show anything. Victor Hobson is a new (to the Patriots) guy I want to see and I would like Adalius Thomas to get some reps.

Safety - I don't see Rodney taking any reps, but Brandon will be in a lot. I'm itching to see if he slides into Cornerback or Nickel Back on some plays. Tank Williams is another recent acquisition I'm interested in seeing. Ventrone will be in and is fighting for a spot as he's on the bubble. Matt Slater, ID'd as a WR, has lined up at safety in OTAs.

Running Back - Maroney, Morris and Faulk will all take reps, but not as many as Jordan; I'm really looking for big things from LaMont. Evans will be in and Eckel is fighting for his life; Jordan can play FB and I believe Evans is a lock.

Those are my big position watches for tonight. What are yours?

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Cassel vs Gutierrez vs O'Connell

Personally, I think Cassel’s job is on the line. He looked terrible at the on-field practice on Monday night. INT after INT after INT. And that’s the same as what he did last year in the regular season when he played during garbage time. If I were him, I’d fear for his job. My prediction: Gutierrez and O’Connell will be #2 and #3 on the depth chart.

by RabidPatsFan on Aug 7, 2008 12:47 PM EDT 0 recs

The players I really want to see

Chad Jackson – can he be healthy and productive
LaMont Jordan – how much worth does he have
Jerod Mayo – how well can he learn our def playbook
Terrence Wheatley – against “real” WRs
Brandon Meriweather – some nice hits, please :)
Antwainn Spann – he looked good in recent practices

by bartHML on Aug 7, 2008 1:48 PM EDT 0 recs

tonight...

I think you are spot on MaPatsFan. Everything you have summed up, is about what I expect to see as well. This is really the rookies’ best shot at proving something, and nothing makes a better show then a good first impression. It is also a chance for those veterans we are hoping are more then they have been to show us something as well.

To pre-empt JohnHannahRules, because I know he will say it if I don’t, don’t read too much from this game. Sure it will be NFL calliber players and at game speed, but just like us the Ravens are going to be playing a lot of their backups and new guys. This isn’t the first string offense these guys are playing against.

That being said, you can learn a lot about a player by how he performs against the B team as well. It will be a fun game tonight. I can’t wait to listen to a little wbcn with Gil & Gino tonight!

by Ogor on Aug 7, 2008 3:26 PM EDT 0 recs

When I hear

Gino Cappelletti’s voice, I can smell autumn leaves and woodsmoke. Is that f’d up? Hearing WBCN launch into their game introduction gets me more fired up than an old college fight song.

As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he's talking about. --Shaun of the Dead

by JohnHannahRules on Aug 7, 2008 4:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

PS:

Nice rundown of the Ravens situation on Baltimore Beatdown.

As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he's talking about. --Shaun of the Dead

by JohnHannahRules on Aug 7, 2008 4:39 PM EDT up 0 recs