Pick Six: Preseason Game 1

Before the first preseason game, the Patriots held a ceremony to induct RB Sam “Bam” Cunningham into the Patriots Hall of Fame. He was joined on stage by owner Bob Kraft and fellow HoFers LB Andre Tippett, QB Steve Grogan, CB Michael Haynes, K-WR Gino Cappelletti, LB Steve Nelson, and G John Hannah. Not only was I there, but I was fortunate enough to shake Cunningham’s hand and say congratulations to the newest member while wearing his throwback jersey (thanks to Bob Hyldburg for making that opportunity happen).

While I don't like a runningback with 5,453 career rushing yards being a HoFer, I will pay my respects to the honoree. And when his peers heap praise upon him, I won’t argue with that. Grogan said if Cunningham was the primary ball carrier instead of part of a backfield committee, he would had run for double. That would mean 10,906 yards. That’s a number that impresses me.

It took me this long to finally get a second viewing of the first preseason game. Hopefully it doesn’t take me as long for game two:

1. The secondary won the game for the Patriots. CB Terrance Wheatley deflected a pass in the endzone and made a great tackle on a boot-legging QB Chase Daniel inside the five to force a game-tying field goal. And S Sergio Brown made the hit that led to Eric Alexander’s sealing interception. Wheatley is fighting for a roster spot and probably has to beat out Jonathan Wilhite for a nickel of dime back role. And rookie free agent Brown needs to make a good enough impression to make the practice squad or possibly the active roster.

2. I want to see more of WRs Brandon Tate and Taylor Price and TEs Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski as a receiver. Gronk was good as a blocker with room for improvement.

3. My favorite rookie wasn’t ILB Brandon Spikes, but P Zoltan Mesko. Three punts landed inside the 20 and the Saints gained just one punt return yard on two attempts. Mesko will tilt the field during the season if he keeps this up.

4. Spikes was very good too, though I’m not anointing him the next Nelson after just one game. But eight tackles in a debut is a nice night of work for the rookie.

5. He didn’t cause any turnovers, but S Pat Chung tackled solidly and allowed almost zero yards after the catch.

6. If I’m G Logan Mankins watching the game from home, I felt my footing slip a little bit. Dan Connolly and the first string offensive line did a good job keeping the blitzing Saints off of QB Tom Brady and opening holes for the running game.

Extra point: A pedestrian return game looks potentially explosive with WR Julian Edelman returning punts and CD Devin McCourty taking kickoffs back. Returns of 40, 50, and 52 were welcome boosts. But these can’t come at the expense of a coverage unit that allowed a 96-yard kickoff return.