Pats Pulpit - Patriots vs. Browns: News, analysis, injuries, previews, final score, and morePats Pulpit: A New England Patriots Communityhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51321/pp-fav.png2022-10-19T18:10:25-04:00http://www.patspulpit.com/rss/stream/231672542022-10-19T18:10:25-04:002022-10-19T18:10:25-04:00Watch: Bill Belichick breaks down the Patriots’ top plays against the Browns
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<p id="2ESuR7">The <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> beat the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> 38-15 in Week 6. Head coach Bill Belichick recently joined Scott Zolak to break down some of the top plays of the game.</p>
https://www.patspulpit.com/new-england-patriots-social-media-video-podcasts/2022/10/19/23413592/watch-bill-belichick-breakdown-patriots-top-plays-brownsBernd Buchmasser2022-10-18T18:37:42-04:002022-10-18T18:37:42-04:00Watch: J.T. O’Sullivan breaks down Bailey Zappe’s performance against the Browns
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<img alt="New England Patriots v Cleveland Browns" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7hwdqeoZnZdE0zKIFE2cXXRl3Fk=/0x0:6322x4215/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71513484/1433869665.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="WDINu5">Former NFL quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan, who also hade a brief stint with the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> back during his playing days, took a close look at the team’s current starting quarterback — Bailey Zappe — over on his <em>QB School</em> YouTube channel. Make sure to give the 20-minute analysis a look.</p>
https://www.patspulpit.com/new-england-patriots-social-media-video-podcasts/2022/10/18/23411828/watch-jt-osullivan-breaksdown-bailey-zappe-brownsBernd Buchmasser2022-10-18T15:00:00-04:002022-10-18T15:00:00-04:00Patriots vs. Browns rookie review: New England’s first-year players stand out in Week 6
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<img alt="New England Patriots (38) Vs. Cleveland Browns (15) at FirstEnergy Stadium" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MbNBwv21aUIZWbfLY03woQzVVlA=/0x0:1612x1075/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71513635/1244056265.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><strong>Related:</strong> <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/10/17/23408497/patriots-rookie-class-critics-browns-nfl-week-6">Patriots’ rookie class continues to defy its critics with promising outing against Browns</a></p> <p id="38YLK8">The <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> are back at .500 thanks to an impressive 38-15 victory over the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> in Week 6. Just like previous games, this one also saw some sizable contributions from New England’s rookie class in what was arguably the group’s best collective game to date.</p>
<p id="ODLeIA">With that said, let’s quickly go through all of the first-year players currently on the team. As always, we will start with first-round draft pick Cole Strange and move all the way down to the undrafted free agents.</p>
<p id="Ap8s6S"><strong>G Cole Strange (1-29):</strong> Playing a career-high 70 snaps, Strange again posted a quality performance. The Patriots’ starting left guard surrendered just one quarterback disruption all day and also looked good as a run blocker yet again. The Chattanooga product continues to show why he was drafted in the first round.</p>
<p id="oHvPMc"><strong>WR Tyquan Thornton (2-50):</strong> His second game since returning from injured reserve saw Tyquan Thornton find the end zone twice. The second-rounder caught a 2-yard touchdown in the third quarter and helped ice the game with a 19-yard run in the fourth. In total, he finished with seven touches for 53 yards and those two scores while the Patriots continue to manufacture touches for the speedster.</p>
<p id="qySML2"><strong>CB Marcus Jones (3-85):</strong> With Jonathan Jones out due to an ankle injury, the Patriots gave their depth options at cornerback increased playing time. Among he beneficiaries was third-round rookie Marcus Jones, who had his most active day on defense yet: Jones played 34 snaps, the most of which surprisingly coming on the outside. He was targeted thrice and gave up one 37-yard completion, but generally held his own. Additionally, he averaged 11.7 yards on three punt returns and 19.5 on two kickoffs.</p>
<p id="MN4kcG"><strong>CB Jack Jones (4-121):</strong> The other Jones was on the field for 46 defensive snaps, and again played a prominent role as a perimeter cornerback opposite regular starter Jalen Mills. While he did not register an interception after back-to-back games with a pick, the former Arizona State CB gave up just two catches for 27 yards on six targets.</p>
<p id="L63wtQ"><strong>RB Pierre Strong Jr. (4-127):</strong> As opposed to last week, the Patriots decided to activate Strong Jr. to their game-day roster. Offering depth behind bell-cow back Rhamondre Stevenson, the fourth-rounder saw only limited action. He played four snaps and had one 5-yard carry — the first touch of his career. He also played nine special teams snaps and had tackle on a kickoff return.</p>
<p id="c4oHK5"><strong>QB Bailey Zappe (4-137):</strong> Mac Jones is still nursing an ankle injury, which meant that Bailey Zappe once again led the Patriots offense onto the field. The young quarterback made the most of his opportunity and showed some encouraging growth compared to his previous two games. Not only did he complete 24 of 34 pass attempts for 309 yards and two touchdowns, Zappe also looked more comfortable maneuvering around in the pocket. He is doing a good job as a placeholder for Jones.</p>
<p id="F6nXYT"><strong>RB Kevin Harris (6-183):</strong> With Damien Harris out due to a hamstring issue, the Patriots decided to sign Kevin Harris to their active roster from the practice squad. The sixth-rounder promptly saw his first game action, playing 12 snaps late in the game and gaining five yards on three carries. Most importantly, his ball security — something Bill Belichick mentioned during the week — looked good.</p>
<p id="40U6uL"><strong>DT Sam Roberts (6-200):</strong> The Patriots lost Christian Barmore to a knee injury in the second quarter, and in order to replace him turned, among other players, to Sam Roberts. As a result, the 200th selection of this year’s draft ended up playing a career-high 22 defensive snaps. He registered one quarterback hurry and one tackle.</p>
<p id="rSFhBi"><strong>OL Chasen Hines (6-210):</strong> The Patriots’ interior offensive line went wire-to-wire, which meant that Hines would spend another game on the sidelines. He has been active for four straight games, but has not been able to see the field with the starting trio of Cole Strange, David Andrews and Michael Onwenu holding down the fort.</p>
<p id="G5TIj0"><strong>S Brenden Schooler (UDFA):</strong> Him unsuccessfully trying to hand Bill Belichick a football aside, Schooler had another big game. Playing exclusively on special teams again, the undrafted free agent registered a fumble recover on a muffed punt in the fourth quarter — setting up Thornton’s second touchdown of the day — and also registered a team-high two tackles.</p>
<p id="DeQ0R8"><strong>LB DaMarcus Mitchell (UDFA):</strong> Returning after a one-game absence due to a concussion, Mitchell saw action on both defense and special teams. He played his first five defensive snaps late in the game, and also notched a kicking game tackle. Once again, he was part of four units in the game’s third phase.</p>
<p id="OPGHVj">The Patriots’ rookie class extends beyond those 11 players; offensive lineman Kody Russey, defensive linemen LaBryan Ray and Jeremiah Pharms Jr., and defensive back Brad Hawkins are all on the practice squad. New England did not elevate any of them to the game-day team versus the Browns, meaning that they all still have three standard elevations available.</p>
<p id="F6zFUQ">Additionally, seventh-round offensive tackle Andrew Stueber remains on the non-football injury list. At this point in time, it appears as if he is in the middle of a redshirt campaign.</p>
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https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/10/18/23411506/patriots-browns-rookie-review-nfl-week-6Bernd Buchmasser2022-10-18T14:00:00-04:002022-10-18T14:00:00-04:00Patriots rookie Tyquan Thornton continues to impress on and off the field
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<img alt="New England Patriots v Cleveland Browns" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/elBhbQEr8gRLhk1pY4P2waChM4k=/2149x374:5403x2543/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71512219/1433906130.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/10/16/23407829/patriots-wide-receiver-tyquan-thornton-jonnu-smith">Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton has big day against Browns despite ‘battling personal things’</a></p> <p id="6eqt8f">Despite suffering a collarbone injury that forced him to start the season on injured reserve, <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">Patriots</a> rookie wide receiver Tyquan Thornton continued to work hard behind the scenes.</p>
<p id="6hsPzx">“Did a really good job while he was injured, of stying engaged like he was playing in the game,” Patriots offensive assistant/quarterbacks coach Joe Judge said on Tuesday. “I think when guys do that - and we always make a pressing point for our guys to do that — when they do return, it helps them get jumping right back in the flow as fast as possible.”</p>
<p id="wAPN4Q">Jumping right back into the flow is what Thornton did, as he made an immediate impact in his second career NFL game against Cleveland on Sunday. Not only did Thornton score his first two career touchdowns, but his blazing speed significantly impacted the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Browns</a>’ defense in Week 6 — helping pave the way for Hunter Henry’s third quarter touchdown in one instance.</p>
<p id="uz6NUL">“For a tall linear-built guy, he’s got a lot more looseness than you would think,” Judge said. “And that’s something that showed up quick in training camp and he’s definitely got some savvy to him. He’s got a lot of natural ability of just having a feel for where a defender is. Obviously he’s got top end speed, that’s no secret everyone knew about that coming out.”</p>
<p id="S001xn">As Judge explained, Thornton’s 4.28 speed was his biggest calling card entering the league. But, Thornton’s route-running and shiftiness in tight areas have impressed since his arrival. Those skills were on display during his first career touchdown, as he quickly lost his defender at the line of scrimmage. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Humble_Ty19?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Humble_Ty19</a>'s first NFL touchdown!<br><br> : <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NEvsCLE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NEvsCLE</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLonCBS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLonCBS</a> <a href="https://t.co/2ftKMF2tGu">pic.twitter.com/2ftKMF2tGu</a></p>— New England Patriots (@Patriots) <a href="https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1581720209123332097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2022</a>
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<p id="aaYUcI">“The thing that really jumped out at us in training camp was seeing him in short space and how well he moves in and out of cuts and how elusive he is right there. He does a good job of finding open spaces and running with the ball when he gets an opportunity for it,” Judge told reporters via Zoom on Tuesday.</p>
<p id="kQunDh">In total, Thornton hauled in four passes for 37 yards and the score. He added three carries, taking one jet sweep for a 19-yard score. With performances like such, Thornton’s role should continue to increase in New England’s offense, and his rookie counterpart at quarterback believes he’s only just scratching the surface.</p>
<p id="E1FKdn">“[Sunday] I think was only a tiny bit of what he can do,” Bailey Zappe said on WEEI Monday. “He’s a dynamic receiver, no doubt. He’s fast, he runs great routes, he catches the ball very well. He fits right in with our great receiver group.”</p>
https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/10/18/23411169/tyquan-thornton-patriots-joe-judge-bailey-zappeBrian Hines2022-10-18T13:00:00-04:002022-10-18T13:00:00-04:00Patriots offense is moving in the right direction, but penalties remain an issue
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<img alt="New England Patriots v Cleveland Browns" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/S8924on4OmOxDOB89moSHlZ2t68=/0x83:4146x2847/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71512369/1433924158.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><strong>Related:</strong> <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/10/17/23408162/winners-losers-patriots-browns-nfl-week-6">6 winners and 2 losers from the Patriots’ victory over the Browns</a></p> <p id="HfPzPM">Despite a backup rookie quarterback starting the last two games, the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> offense has begun trending in the right direction. Against the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> in Week 6, it had its best performance of the year and put up 38 points in a blowout victory.</p>
<p id="zezwyJ">While the outing as a whole was impressive, and there is plenty to feel good about, the Patriots still have plenty of clean-up work to do. One area of concern is penalties.</p>
<p id="CMqkEN">The Patriots were flagged a total of 12 times against the Browns, with nine of those flags happening on the offensive side of the ball. Needless to say that head coach Bill Belichick sees some potential for improvement in this area.</p>
<p id="xSLUXv">“We have too many penalties offensively, period,” he told WEEI’s <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.audacy.com_podcast_the-2Dgreg-2Dhill-2Dshow-2D23f31_episodes_the-2Dmayor-2Dof-2Dbristol-2Dconnecticut-2Dcalls-2Dinto-2Dthank-2Dthe-2Dweei-2Dlisteners-2Dfor-2Dtheir-2Dgenerosity-2Dee51a&d=DwMFaQ&c=7MSjEE-cVgLCRHxk1P5PWg&r=vwITbzfbxaqMamAlewD-gTObc225sSOlRokecr5ivY0&m=vSC7ay9RypAe9-rresEpqdaVUNnsYsUJUnv3ZHpbG2QpGs_WWioBOKKJMjpnhjLr&s=9CtqvNfzY-P2CsdP0vBLfDJE9si0iR0v57eZY9ajFtw&e="><em>The Greg Hill Show</em></a> on Monday. “We have to cut those back. It’s too many of everything. We just have to do a better job of coaching it. We have to make better decisions on the field. We have to stop going backwards with he penalties. We have good production offensively, but then with plays like that we put ourselves at such a disadvantage.”</p>
<p id="rXBXVF">The Patriots lost a combined 92 yards due to penalties on Sunday in Cleveland, with 61 of those coming on offense.</p>
<p id="Qt03NT">New England was flagged for four false starts, with offensive tackles Trent Brown and Isaiah Wynn, tight end Hunter Henry (who also had an illegal touch) and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers responsible for one infraction each. Additionally, Meyers was flagged for an illegal block above the waist and Brown for a hold. Quarterback Bailey Zappe drew an illegal grounding flag, with the unit also called for a delay of game.</p>
<p id="G7uHlw">On the year, New England has now been penalized 43 times — tied for 11th most in the NFL — with 29 of those happening on offense (incl. five that were either declined or offsetting). Eight alone have right tackle Isaiah Wynn’s name attached to them, but he is far from the only culprit: 10 different offensive players have been flagged at least once.</p>
<p id="o7cMvK">“We have to coach it better. We have to play it better,” said Belichick. “Have to be more conscious and execute better on the field. A lot of those penalties are really unforced errors, they’re our fault — delay of game, false starts, and things like that. We had multiple penalties [on Sunday] and so as a team we have to coach and play better.”</p>
https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/10/18/23410950/patriots-offense-penalties-issue-wynnBernd Buchmasser2022-10-18T06:00:00-04:002022-10-18T06:00:00-04:00Patriots didn’t inform Bailey Zappe he’d start against Cleveland until Saturday
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<img alt="New England Patriots (38) Vs. Cleveland Browns (15) At FirstEnergy Stadium" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/C8TxuvcWOxkrgMwyLE7eCGZ1Hmc=/0x0:4635x3090/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71509872/1244040638.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/10/17/23408772/bill-belichick-hypotheticals-patriots-starting-quarterback-zappe-jones">Bill Belichick won’t entertain hypotheticals about Patriots’ quarterback position after win over Browns</a></p> <p id="HMZu8q">Bill Belichick has been tight-lipped about the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> quarterback situation the past few weeks as Mac Jones continues to recover from the ankle injury he suffered in Week 3. This past week, the decision as to what quarterback would start against <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland</a> came down to the wire.</p>
<p id="oh6ybb">Appearing on <em>WEEI’s Merloni, Fauria, and Mego Show</em>, Bailey Zappe shared that he wasn't told he’d start until Saturday.</p>
<p id="fEj9WA">“I think it was Saturday, the day before the game,” Zappe said. “The whole week I was preparing as if I was, or if I was a backup like I had the last few weeks. Now this week I’ll be doing the same thing, taking advantage of all the reps I get, no matter what it is, getting ready for the Bears.”</p>
<p id="e8JCNv">What Zappe would not share is if he took the majority of the first-team reps in practice or not. Jones, who was listed as a limited participant throughout the week, seemed to be moving on his injured ankle better that week’s past. After making the trip to Cleveland, the quarterback likely saw an increase in involvement during the week.</p>
<p id="uJg2Li">“I was taking advantage of the reps that I got,” Zappe said. “That’s all I can really say. I’m just getting ready for the Bears now.”</p>
<p id="F2xEnt">Despite the short notice, Zappe impressed yet again under center for New England. He was efficient completing 24-of-34 passes and struck several big plays in the play-action passing attack en route to his first career 300-yard passing game.</p>
<p id="j3DG8q">New England will now welcome the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Bears</a> to Gillette Stadium for a Monday Night showdown this week. While it seems Jones is trending to make his return, Zappe will continue to be ready if needed in the primetime matchup.</p>
<p id="0KWZIm">“That’ll be a great environment,” he said of Monday Night Football. “We got a long week ahead of us, lot of practices ahead of us. So, I’m just taking advantage of those practices and getting ready for Monday.”</p>
https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/10/18/23409788/patriots-bailey-zappe-cleveland-brownsBrian Hines2022-10-17T19:00:00-04:002022-10-17T19:00:00-04:00Matthew Slater: Patriots have done a good job of ‘digging ourselves out of an early-season hole’
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<img alt="New England Patriots v Cleveland Browns" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jsM-p1nQxeqt6JcZTpo5dm8ck_4=/0x134:2137x1559/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71508823/1433923501.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><strong>Related:</strong> <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/10/17/23408497/patriots-rookie-class-critics-browns-nfl-week-6">Patriots’ rookie class continues to defy its critics with promising outing against Browns</a></p> <p id="OcxhB3">Matthew Slater has been in that position before.</p>
<p id="5jUQeB">Just like they have multiple times in the past as well, the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> also started their 2022 season rather slowly. Four weeks into the season, they found themselves at 1-3 and seemingly facing more questions than answers.</p>
<p id="aRhLos">Back-to-back wins, however, have changed the narrative and allowed them to get back to .500. Slater, who is in his 15h season with the organization, is pleased by this recent development.</p>
<p id="cZUGFM">“I think we’ve done a good job of digging ourselves out of an early-season hole here,” the team captain told reporters on Monday. “We made some progress and we’re starting to see some results that we’ve been hoping for, and that’s showing up in the win column.”</p>
<p id="cIYn4u">The Patriots achieved those recent results while facing some adversity. Quarterback Mac Jones, for example, is among several starters missing time with injury; the sophomore QB went down with a high ankle sprain in Week 3. His backup, Brian Hoyer, suffered a concussion the following week, opening the door for fourth-round rookie Bailey Zappe to take over the most important spot on the field.</p>
<p id="rO5SA3">Zappe has played admirably since moving into the starting position, helping the Patriots beat the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> and <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> to go 2-0 as a starter. What has also helped the team, though, was some impressive play by defense and special teams.</p>
<p id="actJqM">With all three phases making strides, the Patriots are starting to grow into the team they want to be. That is obviously a positive, but Slater also preached some caution.</p>
<p id="913g7D">“The thing we can’t do now is feel as though we’ve done something,” he said. “You look at our division, we’re still the last-placed team in our division. We need to continue not just to improve but to continue to try to go out and play winning football. We’re encouraged by the progress that we made, and we’re looking to build upon that.”</p>
https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/10/17/23409983/matthew-slater-patriots-digging-ourselves-out-early-season-holeBernd Buchmasser2022-10-17T18:47:25-04:002022-10-17T18:47:25-04:00Watch: Dan Orlovsky shows how the little things make Matthew Judon so good
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<img alt="New England Patriots v Cleveland Browns" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/iF0Q9X9sqBgixh4KIBwZwk6uzus=/0x157:1734x1313/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71508615/1433923554.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="gWUt9M"><a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> linebacker Judon is having a tremendous season so far. Sunday’s game versus the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> was more of the same, even though his streak of five straight games with a sack came to an end.</p>
<p id="Ie611M">And yet, Judon was a game-changer for the Patriots — something ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky also pointed out on Monday: he shared a clip of Judon doing the little things right, and making an impact due to his intelligence and play-diagnosis skills.</p>
https://www.patspulpit.com/new-england-patriots-social-media-video-podcasts/2022/10/17/23409929/watch-dan-orlovsky-little-things-make-matthew-judon-patriots-brownsBernd Buchmasser