The starters atoned for their pathetic play against the Lions with a good first half, building a 17-3 lead. The Giants, with the help of a fake punt and fumble recovery for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, ultimately won the game 18-17. So the Pats finish the preseason at 2-2. Of course, they are still 0-0.
The most important news from the game? As far as I know, all the key players got through without injury. THAT is the most important part of preseason. Stay as healthy as possible. Wes Welker's neck injury in the Detroit practice game last weekend was a good reminder of that. Welker says he is fine, which is great news for the Pats ... and great news for my fantasy football team the Rozzie Rats.
Giants' coach Tom Coughlin made sure he would not lose any key players, resting almost all his starters for the entire game. Which was not surprising since the G-Men had played just a few nights earlier against the Jets. The fact that the Giants still won with a team of scrubs? It's time to look ahead to the real games and not worry too much about the practice ones.But as is always the case with the practice games, there were still things to watch.
Albert Haynesworth and Shaun Ellis made their debuts on the Pats D line. Phat Albert looked pretty good for a guy many were saying is about to be cut from the team. His pressure on the QB forced a quick pass that led to the turnover that set up the Pats first score. It's not much. But it's a start.
Matthew Slater had a 64-yard catch from Brady, his third big play of the preseason. Slater is a special teams guy, but if he can provide some spark on offense that should keep his spot on the roster. The Pats D forced three turnovers, which was a big part of the team's success last year.
Another thing that was worth watching was the return of former offensive lineman Joe Andruzzi and his three brothers who are NYC firefighters along with their dad, a former NYC police officer. The pregame ceremony marked the 10th anniversary of 9/11. It brought back memories of the first game the Pats and the rest of the league played two weeks after the attacks. The Pats hosted the Jets in the game that will always be remembered as the one where Drew Bledsoe limped off the field and a young Tom Brady took center stage.
But that day started with Andruzzi carrying a large US flag with him as he lead the team on to the field where his brothers, who were at the Twin Towers, were waiting for him at midfield. I'm not the flag-pin wearing patriotic type, but I'll never forget the feeling as the entire crowd sang the national anthem with a special reverence.
Football memories come in all forms.
No comments:
Post a Comment