Note: This is the official Pats Pulpit game thread
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New England Patriots at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFL Preseason Week 2
Bucs Coverage: Bucsnation.com
Notes from the second quarter of the Patriots vs. Buccaneers preseason game:
- The Patriots defense continued the dominant performance, forcing another Buccaneers three and out. On third down, Jerod Mayo and Mark Anderson combined for a ferocious sack on Josh Freeman. Mayo blitzed up the middle, while Anderson fade a fool out of Donald Penn, rushing off the right side. Lets be clear: I have been more than impressed by the Patriots pass rush thus far.
- On the Patriots next offensive possession, the offense finally stalled. The Patriots were hampered by an illegal downfield block by Rob Gronkowski, followed by poor blocking on back-to-back-to-back plays that resulted in three hurries and two hits on quarterback Tom Brady.
- Another Patriots three and out. Have you heard that already?
- Special Teams Notes: Jeremy Ross has been the Patriots primary punt returner, Chris Koepplin is booming his kicks, and Bret Lockett went down with an injury on a Patriots punt.
- The defensive stop was followed by another Patriots touchdown drive. BenJarvus Green-Ellis had a lot of solid power runs. Danny Woodhead had a nice 12 yard run. Tom Brady only threw the ball once (completion to Wes Welker), as Green-Ellis capped things off with a one yard run yet again.
- On the next Bucs drive, Andre Carter continued his stellar pass rush, picking up another hurry and another hit. A questionable pass interference call kept the Bucs drive alive. However, the Patriots pass rush continued its fury, forcing more pressure on Josh Johnson, as the defense refused to relent.
- During a two-minute opportunity, the Patriots picked up a first down on a nice throw from Brady to Welker on third down, but failed to capitalize any further.
- Set up with good field position, the Bucs got started with a nice pass from Josh Johnson to Michael Spurlock. After a nice Josh Johnson scramble, the Bucs got a field goal attempt to close the half, but it was botched by Connor Barth. 28-0 at halftime.