10 Thoughts Following the Patriots Victory over the Buccaneers

The New England Patriots took care of business down in Tampa Thursday night as the team went onto man-handle the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-14, to improve to 2-0 during the exhibition season. 

Keep in mind that this is just the preseason—it does not matter!

All we can do is simply look at what the Patriots did and how they handled themselves. All in all, they did what they had to do and they executed. However, as Bill Belichick would agree, the team still has a lot to work on moving forward into Week 3 against the Detroit Lions. 

Here are my 10 thoughts following the Patriots victory over the Buccaneers. 

Tom Brady Was Sharp, but Still Needs Improvement

Granted, this was Tom Brady's first game of the preseason, but he looks to be picking up right where he left off after his incredible 2010 MVP season. 

Brady went 11-of-19 for 118 yards while tossing two touchdowns and posting a 111.3 quarterback rating, as he played the majority of the first half.

Brady led New England to an impressive and near-flawless 21-point first quarter, as he found Aaron Hernandez and Chad Ochocinco in the end zone for two scores. When Brady was relieved at halftime, New England had the game in their hands with a commanding 28-0 lead. 

At times, Brady was brilliant, but there were a few plays when he let some passes go, whether it was an under-thrown ball or an over-thrown ball—hence his 57.8 completion percentage.

The only negative that I take away from Brady's performance is that he failed to score in a two-minute situation prior to halftime as the team ran six plays for only 22 yards and were forced to punt with 23 seconds remaining.

Entering Week 3 of the preseason, there's definitely a few things that need to be worked on for the reigning MVP.  

Chad Ochocinco Isn't Comfortable Quite Yet

Despite reeling in two passes for 14 yards and a touchdown, it appears that Chad Ochocinco hasn't quite settled in as a wide receiver in New England's offense. 

Following the game, Ochocinco shared his thoughts after his preseason debut with the team: 

"

It felt good to finally get out there. I'm behind the 8-ball tremendously, though.

There is a difference from practicing to being in the game. I have to get to game tempo. It's a start, to finally get a feel for it, the way Tom [Brady] operates. It's like a machine out there and I'm that one part that isn't up to speed with everybody else.

"

Ochocinco may have a lot of talent, but talent doesn't get you by in New England's system. He still has a lot of learning and understanding to do before he can take a leap as one of Tom Brady's go-to receivers. 

Danny Woodhead and BenJarvus Green-Ellis Were Productive

In BenJarvus Green-Ellis' first game of the preseason, he ran for 51 yards on 11 carries while scoring twice. Along with The Law Firm, Danny Woodhead played strong as he accumulated 63 yards on the ground on just five carries. 

The running-back tandem was extremely productive for the team last year and look to be right on track to having another stellar year for the Patriots. 

Danny Woodhead Suffers a Major Hit in the Fourth Quarter

It looked like a boxer taking a devastating upper-cut to the jaw as Danny Woodhead was knocked out of the game during a punt return during the fourth quarter as rookie Devin Holland rocked New England's running back. 

Woodhead did not return to the game, but it certainly raises a few question marks on why a first-team player was on the field in the fourth quarter. My only explanation is that it was a punt, and Woodhead is a major part of the team's coverage on kicks and punts.

Following the game, Woodhead spoke to the media and said that he was "fine," according to sources.  

Along with Woodhead being injured, Dane Fletcher (thumb) and Bret Lockett (groin/thigh) left the game with injuries. 

Nate Solder Only Made One Mistake

Tom Brady was only sacked once all night, and the lone sack was allowed by rookie Nate Solder.

Solder started the game (Matt Light sat out tonight's game due to an injury) and played rather impressively.

Despite Solder's lone allowed sack, he held his ground against rookie Adrian Clayborn of the Buccaneers. 

This was yet another positive step forward for the rookie out of Colorado. 

New England's 4-3 Was Very Productive for the Second Straight Game

Despite Shaun Ellis and Albert Haynesworth not participating in the game Thursday, the Patriots new-look 4-3 defense was productive for the second straight game. 

New England managed to tally up three sacks which accumulated 23 total yards lost. Notably, Jerod Mayo was credited to two of the team's three sacks. 

Not only were the Patriots able to put pressure on the passer, but they also held the Buccaneers in check on the ground and in the air as they only gave up 244 total yards and just 14 first-downs. 

Ryan Mallett Came Back Down to Earth

After an amazing debut last week against the Jaguars, Ryan Mallett came back down to Earth as he threw his first interception as a Patriot, which resulted in a touchdown. 

Mallett went 9-of-14 for 71 yards while posting a questionable 47.0 passer rating. 

It has to be acknowledged that Mallett is a rookie and that he was facing a much faster defense tonight, but at times he looked very sharp and made throws that a normal rookie quarterback couldn't make. 

Moving forward, Mallett still has a lot of work to do. 

Andre Carter Is the Team's Sack Specialist

Goodbye Tully Banta-Cain and the 3-4 defense, and hello Andre Carter and the 4-3 defense.

Carter looks to have replaced Banta-Cain as the team's sack specialist, moving into 2011.

The 6'4" 245 lb defensive end may not have recorded a sack, but he was definitely a force coming off of the edge putting pressure on Tampa Bay's quarterbacks. 

Ochocinco Took a Major Hit but Got Back Up

Unlike New England's previous wide receiver diva, Randy Moss, Chad Ochocinco proved tonight that he is willing to go up and get the ball in traffic, even if it means taking a violent hit.

During one of New England's drives in the second quarter, Tom Brady threw a bullet to Ochocinco who was breaking on a skinny post. However, the ball was over-thrown which resulted in Ochocinco fully extending his body for the ball—something that Moss would never do. As Ochocinco extended his body, he took a violent hit and fell to the ground, but got back up and stayed in for the next play.

Just seeing that play alone gives me a good idea that Ochocinco is tough and is willing to be a team player in New England. 

Wes Welker Played Like Wes Welker

Five receptions for 56 yards; do I really need to say more? 

Thursday night against the Buccaneers was just another classic performance by Wes Welker.

Time and time again, Welker was found running across the middle, in the bubbles of the defense, playing like Tom Brady's go-to man. 

After being one-year removed from his devastating torn ACL and MCL from the season finale in 2009, Welker appears to be 100 percent healthy and should make another run for 100 catches this season.

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