Patriots Preseason: Watching Brady's Arm and Sammy's Legs vs. Bengals

Here we are, just at the end of training camp, and already so much has changed for the New England Patriots.

The fans got their first in-game look at Tom Brady since Week 1 of last season and, as most analysts predicted, there's been infinitely more concern over the Red Sox' offense this fall than the Patriots'.

Brady played very well in the first game, the offense looked sharp, and the first-team defense largely shut down Philadelphia's first-team offense.

But the sample size is about as small as it gets for those of us trying to predict the future, so here's some of the most important things to look for when New England takes on the Cincinnati Bengals Thursday night at Gillette.

1. Continued Progress From Brady

Tom Brady's line from his first game back was 10/15 for 100 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

That's all well and good—for the first preseason game. But they don't give awards for being great in the preseason.

The Bengals' defense isn't expected to be exceptional, but another solid Brady night (especially if he manages to stay interception-free this time) will really put minds in New England at ease as their franchise works into game shape.

His playing time will be a particularly important aspect to pay attention to. Brady will likely still play multiple series, but it'll be very interesting to see if the Patriots begin to scale down Brady's playing time already.

I can't see him playing less than two series, but I don't think the Patriots will want him facing more than a quarter's worth of live rush.

These games are important for Brady, but with roster cuts coming September first Belichick will have some tough decisions to make when it comes to players on the periphery of the roster.

So, as important as Brady's reps are, just as important could be the second-team offense's production.

2. The Continued Use of a Four-Man Front

The more strategically-bent football minds around Foxboro have been lighting up call-in lines and message boards about the Patriots' supposed switch back to the 4-3 defense.

As I've written several times here and for other outlets, the Patriots are one of the vanguard 3-4 defenses of the past decade—a decade that has seen the three-man front slowly creep back into favor with nearly half the league running it in some form.

My theory has always been Belichick employed the defense largely because it allows him to select specific players whose talents are extremely valuable in the 3-4 but were always undervalued in what was considered the more conventional 4-3 alignment—positions like the OLB pass rusher, the big bruising nose tackle, and two-gap monster specialist defensive ends.

But in the Philadelphia game, Belichick employed four down linemen almost exclusively, with players like Richard Seymour switching all along the line from defensive end to 4-3 defensive tackle.

Strategically, it's an unexpected move but one that explains many of their most puzzling offseason moves.

I'll get into these more in depth after the game (should the use of a four-man front continue in this game, it's likely they'll switch it up though) but it could signal that Belichick feels a tipping point of sorts has been reached where 3-4 talents are now overvalued and a 4-3 can most effectively corral the conference's high-powered offenses with the personnel the Patriots currently employ.

Look for that article at the end of the week, but Thursday, keep tabs on how many players line up in a three-point stance.

Chances are, you'll see more than three Patriots with their hand in some Foxboro dirt.

3. Who's On Brady's Coattails This Time?

Kevin O'Connell has looked more than competent in his limited preseason time this year and last, but it was Andrew Walter, not Kevin, who was the first backup quarterback to enter the game in Philadelphia.

Now, Belichick explained this as his desire to get Walter as many snaps as possible so he could get acclimated to the Patriots' offense, but it wouldn't have been that hard to get O'Connell into the game before Walter and still give the new guy plenty of time.

Could Belichick be looking to have a veteran backup QB and just keep O'Connell as the designated emergency quarterback (a third QB who doesn't count against the gameday 45-man roster but if he plays during the first three quarters the first two QBs have to stay out) until he develops more?

It's an interesting side story and it'll be good to see who gets the nod first on Thursday, especially if Brady comes out after only a few series.

So far this week, O'Connell has taken the majority of first team snaps when Brady has been elsewhere, so my guess is it'll be him.

Either way, if Brady plays short time it's likely the first backup in will get a taste of Cincinnatti's first-team defense, which will be a solid test for that player's ability to lead the offense against a real, live NFL defense.

Either way, whoever performs best in this game (and in practice this week) could go a long way toward solidifying themselves as the true backup on gamedays.

4. Have Ball, Will Carry?

The Patriots will have a running back committee this season. That much should be understood at this point.

But a committee isn't all equitable, somebody's got to chair the thing. For some players, that's much more important than just how many yards they'll rack up this season.

In the first game Sammy Morris got the ball the most, rushing 12 times for 45 yards. After him, Lawrence Maroney got it six times for 14 yards, Green-Ellis four times for 31 yards, and Faulk just once (though his role is obviously different).

Fred Taylor didn't make an appearance, but I can't see him not being on the roster.

However, there is a possibility that one of the running backs on the team will not find his way onto the final 53-man roster.

Morris and Faulk are affordable guys who serve their purpose, but who knows what the team has seen out of Fred Taylor yet. (I doubt he's in any kind of jeopardy, but I'd like to see him carry the ball, at least.)

The Patriots will not have any roster spots to waste on somebody who will ultimately be dead weight, and the decision will likely come down to either keeping an extra offensive lineman, a tight end with upside but limited skill set, or the extra running back.

Therefore, it's going to be very interesting to see who ultimately carries the load for them against the Bengals.

Is the team still holding out hope that Maroney's talents will click and he can put together a solid, healthy season?

Will BenJarvus Green-Ellis win himself a roster spot or be one of the more difficult cuts when the season starts?

What will we see out of signee RB Chris Taylor? Is he just a camp body? A possible fullback? Or will the team employ a TE to block for its considerable collection of running backs?

All these questions need answers and playing a Bengals defense that was in the bottom third of the league last year against the rush should be a good first step.

5. How Good Exactly Is the Pass Defense?

Carson Palmer is making perhaps his final bid to return to his former status as one of the elite quarterback talents in the NFL.

Of course, that means he got injured in the first preseason game, spraining his ankle.

After promptly declaring himself 100 percent to play against New England after the game, word dropped this week that he will actually be absent Thursday night.

So much for being completely healthy again.

The Patriots will then get to tee off against the likes of J.T. O'Sullivan at Gillette Stadium. While O'Sullivan is hardly a vintage Carson Palmer, he's still proved he's a competent quarterback, posting a 73.6 QB rating in nine games last year for the 49ers.

New England's pass defense has seen the most overhaul of any unit on the team, with many of the starting positions wide open.

I know I'll be waiting to see if the new-look group has the ability to keep Chris Henry (100 yards last week on seven catches) and Chad Ochocinco in check.

Specifically, I'm looking to see if there's more positive contributions to be had from rookies Patrick Chung and Darius Butler and camp superstar Brandon Meriweather as they continue their young NFL careers.

So what are you folks paying special attention to? The coaching moves? The run-pass balance in playcalling? Or simply looking to get another glimpse of Mini-Wes Julian Edelman's electric athletic ability?

No matter how you slice it, football's back.