New England Patriots Vs St Louis Rams: What Pats Fans Should Watch For
The New England Patriots are coming up on their third preseason game of the year against another NFC opponent. This time, the St. Louis Rams will take the field at Gillette Stadium with their eye on making a name for themselves against an established team like the Patriots.
The red hot Patriots have started off the preseason 2-0, and look like they have something to prove in 2010. There's no room for them to allow the Rams to establish anything; it's teams like the Rams that the Patriots must defeat convincingly.
Here are some things to watch for in the preseason battle.
“Bend-Don’t-Break” Defense Still Working Effectively?
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The Patriots happily gave up one short completion after another against the Atlanta Falcons last week, and have done a great job of eliminating the big plays that killed them last year and the year before.
There are really no top-flight receivers to worry about on the Rams’ offense, but speedsters like Donnie Avery have given the Patriots problems after the catch.
How Much Time Does Wes Welker Get This Week?
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The way Brett Favre played against the 49ers, you'd think Wes Welker would have more attention for his three plays for 20 yards, one of which an incompletion, the other a chains-moving first down for 14 yards. All three of which were signature Welker plays: one a quick curl underneath, the next an adjustment to the ball for a first down, and the final a screen play.
Welker's performance instilled a lot of confidence in New England fans that he will be back and ready to go for the season opener at home against the Cincinnati Bengals. It's important for him to get reps in the preseason, though, so it will be interesting to see how many he gets this week against what's been called a weak Rams defense.
Can the Patriots Stop Steven Jackson?
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Over the past few years, the Patriots have had a lot of problems keeping feature backs from tearing them apart. Even when the Patriots beat the Titans 59-0 last year, that didn’t stop Chris Johnson from piling up 128 yards and a 7.53 yards-per-carry average.
Do I really need to reopen the scars left behind when Ray Rice romped and stomped 159 yards for two touchdowns, including an 83-yard carry on the opening play from scrimmage?
New England will need to do a heck of a lot better than that in the regular season. When better to get their real practice than in the third preseason game against a top performer like Stephen Jackson?
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Several Injured Players Make Their Return
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The Patriots have been a black and blue bunch over the past few weeks, but got several key players back for Monday's practice. Tully Banta-Cain, Leigh Bodden, Gary Guyton, and Damione Lewis were among the important names that returned to the fold.
With only three weeks remaining before the regular season, these players will need to quickly shake any rust they may have accrued in their time away from the field.
Brandon Spikes
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Spikes has had a very impressive training camp and preseason so far. There has been some talk from belichick about him playing with his instincts, and how they may ask him to do some things differently than he's used to. Watch for him in terms of how comfortable he is in the system.
His presence as a run-stuffer will allow Mayo to be the free-roaming sideline-to-sideline linebacker that made him such an intriguing pick for the Patriots back in 2008, and could really open him up to making more big plays (i.e. sacks, interceptions). Watch carefully at how the two linebackers work together, as the interior linebackers are of prime importance in the 3-4 scheme.
Tight Ends
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Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski have been the rookie sensations all through training camp and the preseason. Each has already had a chance to shine, but the way things are going right now, I'd expect them to be central to the Patriots offense all season long.
Look carefully at how each is utilized and how well each does at the different things they're asked to do for an idea of what to expect from them during the season.
Puttin' on The Blitz?
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The Patriots have been creating some pressure with their front four, but I'm sure they'd like to reach the quarterback for a change. Outside linebackers Derrick Burgess and Tully Banta-Cain could be called upon for that, but they have rushed the passer in some interesting ways in the past, so look for the Patriots to put some schemes in place on Thursday against the Rams that they'd like to use in the regular season.
Perhaps the odd cornerback blitz from speedster Darius Butler or a safety blitz could do the trick. One thing's for certain: if anyone knows how to scheme his players to their fullest potential, it's Bill Belichick.
Who Gets The First-Half Reps?
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The third preseason game has long been considered a measuring stick for how the team could look during the regular season. With only two weeks remaining in the preseason, teams begin to hammer out their rosters, from the starters to the practice squad. The teams also begin to implement more of their specific schematics.
There are still some position battles that are up for grabs. Pierre Woods and Rob Ninkovich come to mind as players who are making their case for playing time behind starters at their position. Look carefully at who gets the starts and who plays in the first half, as those will likely be the guys who get the final nod, barring some freak occurrence.
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