New England Patriots Links 8/19/11 - Brady & Co. Impressed, But Defense The Story

Ian Rapoport posts Bucs' DT Gerald McCoy's reaction to the speed of the Patriots offense last night, and it was pretty funny.

"(DE Adrian) Clayborn came to me and was like, ‘Oh my god, it was so fast!’ the hilarious McCoy said. "I said, ‘I know! That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you!’ It was a reality check, we needed that.

Man, I’m telling you man, they came out, they’d turn around huddle, snap, oh, ‘There’s the Mike, Go!’ I was like, ‘Dang! Um, Mr. Brady, can we line up?’ He didn’t care. He was like, ‘You’re not going to line up.’

When we turned around one time I checked back around and my hand was going to the grass and they were like, ‘Hut!’ And I said, ‘Noooooooooooo!’ "

Greg A. Bedard recaps the Patriots' undressing of the Buccaneers last night that was witnessed by a lot of NFL execs in the press box.

On quick blush in the first half, the Patriots’ defense accounted for the following disruptive plays against the quarterback or in the backfield: nine quarterback pressures, eight QB hits, two sacks (both by Mayo), one quarterback knockdown, one tackle for a loss, two holding penalties, and one false start. That’s a total of 24 in 28 offensive plays by the Buccaneers. The Patriots might not have had that many in an entire game last season.

"That was one of the biggest beatdowns I’ve ever seen in a preseason game,’’ one NFC executive said at halftime. "Yeah, they’re pretty good.’’

"They’ve got it all working right now,’’ said an AFC executive. "Every facet.’’

"If they stay healthy, the Patriots are going to be tough to handle, absolutely,’’ said the AFC executive. "They’re better right now than they were last season."

"Sure, the Bucs didn’t look like they wanted to play. But the execution by the Patriots was really on point. That’s what was impressive. That, and how deep they are on the defensive side of the ball. They have a lot of players.’’

"[Bill] Belichick is through screwing around,’’ said the NFC executive. "What we saw tonight, if that’s the way they continue to go into the season, is a complete departure from what we saw last season. They’re not reacting. They’re dictating.’’

TEAM TALK

• Game Notes: Patriots vs. Buccaneers.
• Erik Scalavino looks at how the most competitive roster battles played out in New England's second preseason game.
• Patriots Vs. Buccaneers highlights. (2.49 min. video)
• Post Game Pressers: Bill Belichick (3.42 min. video), Tom Brady(5.44 min. video) and Jerod Mayo (1.40 min. video.)
  
• Locker Room Uncut - Ochocinco, others react. (3.23 min. video)
• Patriots Today - One-on-one with Andre Carter. (2 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Shalise Manza Young sees no rust on Tom Brady in his first half performance against Tampa Bay.
• Tom E. Curran says the defense attacked Bucs QB Josh Freeman like he'd been dipped in BBQ sauce and they hadn't eaten in weeks.
• Jeff Howe highlights how Andre Carter and Jerod Mayo lead the Pats' new-and-improved defense to victory over Tampa Bay.
• Mike Petraglia notes Bill Belichick really loves the work ethic of Jerod Mayo.
• Karen Guregian notes the first completion between Tom Brady and Chad Ochocinco was a touchdown pass, but the two are still building chemistry.
• Monique Walker notes that in spite of his touchdown reception, Chad Ochocinco says he still needs lots more coaching to feel completely comfortable with the offense.
• Mike Reiss notes Chad Ochocinco was hard on himself after finishing with two catches for 14 yards and a TD against the Buccaneers.
• Jeff Howe sees positive signs from the first-string offense last night.
• Christopher Price gives us his snap judgments of the Pats' no-contest win over Tampa Bay last night.
• Greg A. Bedard breaks down the first half of the game last night, with a nearly flawless performance by the defense.
• Tom E. Curran looks at the remarkable first half of last night's game, on both sides of the ball.
• Mike Reiss gives us his initial thoughts to the Patriots 31-14 domination of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
• Mike Reiss tells fans to just admit it, the Patriots looked primed.
• Christopher Price gives us ten things we learned Thursday night: Tom Brady returns with a vengeance.
• Mary Paoletti posts the Best & Worst from the Pats vs. the Bucs last night.
• Mike Reiss lists his 3 up and 3 down for the Patriots.
• Boston Globe Patriots Notebook: Jerod Mayo wreaked havoc from all over the field last night; Nate Solder stood tall protecting Tom Brady for the first time; Danny Woodhead was knocked silly after getting clobbered, but was smiling after the play and said he felt "fine"; Ryan Mallett received a reality check after floating a pass that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown; Brett Lockett was carted off the field with a thigh injury and Dane Fletcher left with a thumb injury and did not return.
• Ian Rapoport Patriots Notebook: Jerod Mayo was all over the place against the Buccaneers, with two sacks, three hurries and two passes defended; Danny Woodhead appeared to be fine in the locker room after getting absolutely crushed returning a punt last night; Two young Bucs defenders talked after the game about how the Patriots ran their offense so fast that they couldn't keep up; Injury update (or rather, who was missing); Pats are set to work out WR Mark Clayton; Aaron Hernandez held onto the football.
• Patriots Friday Highlights: Devin McCourty: Ochocinco's work ethic 'incredible to watch.'
  
• Andrew Mooney forecasts Chad Ochocinco will have a comeback season, courtesy of Tom Brady.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Mike Reiss (ESPN) Camp confidential: New England Patriots.
• Gregg Rosenthal (ProFootballTalk) What we learned Thursday night.
• Mark Schlereth (ESPN) Pats' offensive balance. (1 minute clip)
• Instant Debate (NFL.com) Eli's placement in QB pecking order generates debate.
• Adam Schein (Fox Sports) Yeah, I said it: Colts won't make playoffs.