New England Patriots: 8 Winners and Losers from Preseason Week 1

The New England Patriots had way more highlights than lowlights in their 47-12 drubbing of the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1 of 2011 NFL preseason action. That being said, there is always room for improvement.

Even in a blowout like that, there were winners and losers wearing a Patriots uniform. The game had positive and negative side effects on several Patriots, even those who didn't play a single snap in the game.

Let's take a closer look at the biggest winners and losers from that game.

Erik Frenz is the co-host of the PatsPropaganda and Frenz podcast. Follow Erik on Twitter @erikfrenz.

Winner: Mark Anderson

Saying the Patriots pass rush was terrible in 2010 would be unkind to the word "terrible." Sure, they improved to generate 36 sacks in '10 as opposed to 31 in '09, but that didn't come without a league-worst third down defense that allowed a conversion rate of 47 percent.

Enter Mark Anderson and a possible conversion to a 4-3 defense, and it looks like all might be well with the pass rush. Anderson generated key pressure on three third downs in the preseason game against the Jaguars, and showed nifty pass rush moves every time he was sent after the quarterback.

In a deep competition at defensive end that includes marquee names like Shaun Ellis and Andre Carter, Anderson did a lot to help his case on Thursday night.

You can read more of my thoughts on Anderson in a story recently posted on Bleacher Report.

Loser: Eric Moore

Eric Moore wasn't exactly a loser. He didn't play poorly, but he didn't wow anyone with pass rush potency and playmaking potential. That honor belonged to Mark Anderson. In comparison to Anderson's eye-popping play, Moore's unspectacular night could be all it takes for him to land on the bubble. 

Moore made an instant impact when the Patriots picked him up in Week 13 last year, registering two sacks in the final four games of the year. When the Patriots were expected to run the 3-4 defense in 2010, many were hoping Moore would make a significant contribution at outside linebacker.

As the Patriots perplexed Boston fans and media by practicing in the 4-3, Moore was utilized as one of the two primary defensive ends. It wasn't long before the shopping spree began, with Belichick seemingly signing every defensive linemen not currently under contract. Names like Andre Carter, Shaun Ellis and the aforementioned Anderson were among the biggest of names.

You can't fault Moore for the decisions of the personnel department and head coach, but it's not exactly a glowing vote of confidence that the team went on said shopping spree with Moore still in the fold. It's been said that many released from the Patriots will go on to start elsewhere, though, and Moore could be one of those.

Winner: Stevan Ridley

File this one under "no duh."

After all the criticism this offseason about the Patriots reaching for him with a third-round pick in the 2011 NFL draft, it must have felt pretty damn good for Ridley to silence those critics on Thursday night. Ridley's performance was arguably the game's best, as the rookie back rushed for 64 yards on 16 carries and caught seven passes for 47 yards, tallying three touchdowns total along the way.

Ridley ran hard and quick, showing a combination of strength, agility and the ability to change speed the likes of which the Patriots haven't boasted in their backfield for awhile. If you think it's going to his head, though, you're dead wrong.

He said after the game, ”I’m not satisfied. I’m sure the coaches aren’t either. I’m just going to continue to work hard every day and do my best and help this team improve and get better.” 

It's a crowded battle at running back, with four up-and-comers and several seasoned vets. The talented Ridley worked his magic and made a big case for himself Thursday night.

Loser: Darius Butler

This should come as no surprise. The Patriots defensive back has all the physical talent in the world, but for lack of better words, he's just not getting it. He still looks like a raw talent, even after two years in the league.

That doesn't bode well for him, especially with four cornerbacks who are all but locked into their spots on the roster. He had five tackles on Thursday, clearly evidence of how many catches he gave up. 

The fact that he was playing deep into the fourth quarter tells you all you need to know about his status on the roster. Even as a former second round pick, Darius Butler could be left out in the cold when it comes time for the Patriots to make some cuts. 

Winner: Taylor Price

With five receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown, Price doubled his production from the entire 2010 season. It may have been the preseason, but it carried much more importance than that. It was proof positive that Price is getting his chances and making the most of them. He has really come a long way in terms of learning the playbook. 

In fact, Belichick heaped on an unusual amount of praise for Price when asked what was different about Price from the year before.

"Everything. He knows the offense better. … His conditioning, his experience in the system last year. Of course, the offense that we run is quite a bit different than what he ran in college, so there's a lot of learning and technique work there. I think he's definitely way ahead of where he was last year."

Additionally, Price has been getting work on a wide range of special teams units. His playing time on punt coverage, punt returns, kickoff coverage and kickoff return units give him a distinct upper hand on many of the other receivers perceived to be at the bottom of the depth chart.

In that respect, Belichick told me, "a player that can play on two, three, four special teams, obviously the more the better. If it's at a high level, the more value that player has to your teams. That value has to be weighed with the player's performance on his side of the ball, offense or defense, along with the other players at that position."

Not only has he significantly improved his chances of making this team by playing plenty of special teams, but his talent at receiver came forth on Thursday night, and it could be just a matter of time before he really breaks out.

Loser: Brandon Tate

How can a guy who didn't even play be considered a "loser?"

Quite simply, when the person with whom he's engaged in a roster battle has a solid performance. Yes, by virtue of Taylor Price's stand-out performance on Thursday night, Brandon Tate may be on the wrong side of the roster bubble.

It doesn't help his case that the Patriots have begun working Price into many of the special teams roles which Tate occupied last year, and that they've seemingly been integrating him into those roles to give Price every opportunity to make the roster. All this has happened with Tate out of practice nursing an injury. 

Where does that leave Tate? On the wrong side of the roster bubble.

Winner: Brian Hoyer

Brian Hoyer may not be the next Tom Brady, but he's certainly edging closer to becoming the next Matt Cassel. His performances can't help but garner the attention of those in the media, and it's not hard to tell that Hoyer looks better than just about every other back-up quarterback in the NFL.'

Hoyer was exactly what the Patriots, and most teams in the NFL, want their quarterback to be: efficient, even if not deadly. He completed 15-of-21 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown. That kind of efficiency could be good enough to land him a starting job somewhere.

The problems with that are twofold: the Patriots likely won't give up a talented back-up like Hoyer unless they get good value for him, and the only way they will get good value for him is if he does it in the regular season. He has played 10 regular season games, but needs to show that week-in week-out ability before a team takes a chance on him with a second-round pick.

Mallett may have had a solid night, but Hoyer proved why he is No. 2 on the depth chart with his impressive performance Thursday night.

Loser: Jonathan Wilhite

According to ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss, Wilhite didn't play a single defensive snap in the first half. That's not a good sign for a player looking to prove his worth of the game-day roster.

Wilhite's downfall really began November 15, 2009 when he allowed the game-winning touchdown to Reggie Wayne at the tail end of a 21-point rally by Indianapolis.

Although he's been practicing on special teams units, it's worth noting he's also done so on the third and fourth strings of those units. At least Wilhite has this going for him: He didn't look as bad as Darius Butler. Even still, that's not a good sign for the former fourth-round pick turned starter turned back-up.