New England Patriots: 10 Things We Learned in Win over Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The New England Patriots are 2-0, first in their division, and on their way to the AFC East title.

Oh, wait, it's still preseason? The excitement in the air had me confused.

Maybe it's the excitement in New England over this team, which achieved such soaring highs last year that came crashing down in their own house like a ceiling put together by cut-rate carpenters.

The holes had been exposed, and the questions had been posed. Thus far, the Patriots have shown strides in filling those holes and answering those questions, but it's only the preseason after all.

Still, there are some things we can take away from the game and another impressive performance by the Patriots.

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

First-String Unit Looks in Top Form

When both teams went all-in with their top talent, the Patriots triumphed in the first quarter by a score of 21-0.

Both the offense and defense dominated the early going. The defense forced two three-and-outs, and the offense answered the bell with two touchdown drives, both Tom Brady passes. Jerod Mayo got going early and even tallied two sacks.

For fans with concerns about the defense, especially third downs and quarterback pressure, this was a huge positive.   

Tom Brady's Rust Is Gone

Any questions about Tom Brady's comfort level after foot surgery were answered on Thursday night, at least for the time being. In the first quarter alone, Tom Brady went 7-of-9 for 74 yards and two touchdowns. He finished the day 11-of-19 for 118 yards and those two scores.

Brady got in a quick rhythm with Wes Welker, who reeled in five catches for 56 yards, but the completion of the night went to Chad Ochocinco for a touchdown.

This was the first touchdown catch-and-throw between the two, and came on a seven-yard pass in the back of the end zone where Ochocinco climbed the ladder and tapped both feet at once for the score.

There was no celebration from Ochocinco, but the early fireworks were a good sign of things to come between the two.

Defensive Line Rotation by Design

A frenzied shopping spree for defensive linemen began the minute the opening bell sounded on the free agent market. With trades and signings left and right, the Patriots filled holes and built what is believed to be a new, multiple-look defense.

Tonight, there was a clear rotation in the first half. Andre Carter was a three-down defensive end. He looked dominant every time he was on the field, getting pressure by going around the end and just beating his assignment time and time again. The way he has looked, he has the potential to return to an All-Pro level of play.

Eric Moore played mainly on first and second downs, and Mark Anderson rotated in on obvious passing downs (second-and-long, third-and-long).

Inside, Vince Wilfork and Kyle Love got the start. Later, Gerard Warren and Myron Pryor rotated in. Then, Wilfork and Pryor were the duo inside.

The Patriots may utilize a similar philosophy in season, utilizing players in their best roles as they have done in the past. This will work even better for them with a switch to the 4-3, as they may sacrifice a little in the running game, but will get far more in the passing game.

It helps that the Patriots have the right personnel to play solid run defense in the 4-3, with linebacker Jerod Mayo leading the charge.

Ryan Mallett Has Work to Do

After a solid performance against the Jaguars, expectations were high for Ryan Mallett. A little too high, it seems. Mallett threw an early interception after coming in for Brady in the second half. The interception was returned 69 yards by Elton Mack.

It's clear that Belichick wanted to see what he had in his third-round pick, and he saw that there is work to be done with the kid out of Arkansas. Aside from the lone interception, Mallett had a solid night, going 9-of-14 for 71 yards.

Mallett also showed the presence of mind and mobility to roll away from pressure and throw the ball out of bounds instead of eating it for a sack. 

Nate Solder Remains Solid, Needs Some Polishing

Nate Solder gave up his first sack tonight, getting bull rushed by Tim Crowder on the play. 

When the Patriots took Solder with the 17th pick, it came with the knowledge that he may not be ready to start in his rookie year.

Hope was all but dashed when the lockout forced teams to miss valuable OTAs and offseason workout programs that help rookies get in the groove and get indoctrinated into the system early.

Other than that one play, it was a solid night for Solder. Still, he can't allow that kind of pressure from Brady's blind side. Not after the type of protection Brady has had from Matt Light in their decade together.

Stevan Ridley Isn't Perfect, Either

Last week, it was Ridley who carried the load for the backfield with 16 carries for 64 yards and two touchdowns, adding seven receptions for 47 yards and another score.

Tonight, Ridley's 18-carry, 84-yard performance was marred by fumble in the third quarter. The play was a fourth down that he would have failed to convert even if he hung onto the ball, and it's worth mentioning that he bounced right back after the fumble and continued to have a solid performance.

On another positive note, Ridley added three receptions for 27 yards, further distancing himself from the blemish on his scouting report that he wasn't a capable contributor in the passing game. He also had a solid block on a blitz pick-up.

Running Back Is the Deepest Position on the Roster

The Patriots wielded one of the league's best running back duos in 2010. With the addition of two rookie backs in the draft, the heat may have been on BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead to earn their keep once again in training camp.

Woodhead responded with five carries for 63 yards, with Green-Ellis taking 11 carries for 51 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. He punched it in twice from less than three yards out.

Despite Ridley's aforementioned fumble, he also had a solid performance with 111 yards on 21 combined touches. Once the Patriots add Shane Vereen and possibly Kevin Faulk to the stable, they could have one of the most well-rounded backfields in the NFL.

The Patriots stable of running backs looks set for 2011 and beyond. 

Jerod Mayo Looks Ready to Dominate in a 4-3 Defense

As one of the best 3-4 inside linebackers in the league over the past three years, Mayo's role in the 4-3 was questioned at first. Would he make an impact, or would his role be diminished?

It didn't look to affect him much, as he stormed out of the gate by tallying five tackles and two sacks. To put that in perspective, Mayo had two sacks all of last year.

Granted, it's the preseason, but the change in scheme doesn't seem to have hurt him at all.

If anything, the switch to Will linebacker in the 4-3 will allow Mayo to remain a presence inside while utilizing his athleticism outside occasionally in pass rush situations.

He flashed that ability on Thursday against the Buccaneers, and the future is bright for him in this defense.

Steven Gostkowski Is Back to His Old Self

After a quad tear ended his 2010 season, Steven Gostkowski has been on a "pitch count" of sorts at training camp. He is recovering and getting back in rhythm with his long snapper and holder, while also preventing further damage to his leg.

He has looked a little rusty in camp, but nailed one from 44 yards out tonight. This follows up a solid performance against the Jaguars, where he hit from 43 and 46 yards.

How Welker Got His Groove Back

The Patriots leading receiver over the past four years, Welker has also led the NFL with the most total receptions in that span. After a scary injury to his ACL ended his 2009 season, Welker looked a little off in 2010.

In his defense, he was just eight months off of surgery, but he also had a few more drops than we've become accustomed to seeing.

Regardless, Welker hasn't worn a knee brace at all in training camp, and looks like his old self in terms of his signature quick steps and smooth stutter steps. This confirms his own statements on Monday at training camp.

"I feel like I've gained a step from two years ago," Welker said. "This is the best I've felt."

That is a scary thought for opposing defenses, as Welker has been one of the most effective receivers after the catch in the NFL over the past four seasons. 

"

[Welker] has been a YAC monster since joining the Patriots in 2007. He thrived for two years in Josh McDaniels' system, with a total of 1,398 yards after the catch during the McDaniels 2007-08 era for over 6.2 AYAC. Just under 60 percent of his total receiving yards came after the catch in that span. 

His success shouldn't be attributed entirely to the system, as he continued to post gaudy numbers in all YAC categories in 2009, after McDaniels went to Denver.

"