The New England Patriots take on the Carolina Panthers in a preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on Friday, August 26, 2016.
New England Patriots' Jimmy Garoppolo looks to the field as he sits on the bench before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots players stretch before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady gives a thumbs up as he warms up before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) warms up before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) warms up before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) and Jimmy Garoppolo (10) talk before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Jimmy Garoppolo (10) warms up before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Jimmy Garoppolo (10) warms up before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12), Jimmy Garoppolo (10) and Jacoby Brissett (7) run onto the field before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, left, talks with Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera, right, before an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots' Jimmy Garoppolo (10) looks to pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots' Tyler Gaffney (36) runs against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks down the sideline before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Chris Hogan (15) runs against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Logan Ryan, left, intercepts a pass intended for Carolina Panthers' Kelvin Benjamin, right, during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots' Jimmy Garoppolo (10) is hit by Carolina Panthers' Thomas Davis (58) as he throws a pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) is sacked by New England Patriots' Trey Flowers (98) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) watches from the sidelines during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) throws a pass under pressure from Carolina Panthers' Vernon Butler (92) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) reacts after his touchdown pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots' Chris Hogan, left, runs past Carolina Panthers' Bene' Benwikere (25) for a touchdown during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots' Devin McCourty (32) celebrates his interception with teammate Logan Ryan (26) as Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton, foreground walks away during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots' LeGarrette Blount (29) leaps over Carolina Panthers' Tre Boston (33) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) looks to pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) scrambles against the New England Patriots during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) prepares to take a snap against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) runs as New England Patriots' Jamie Collins (91) defends during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Kelvin Benjamin (13) is tackled by New England Patriots' Logan Ryan (26) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots' Duron Harmon (30) intercepts a Carolina Panthers pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots' Jimmy Garoppolo (10) is hit by Carolina Panthers' Daryl Worley (26) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) looks to pass under pressure from New England Patriots' Jonathan Freeny (55) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) throws a pass under pressure from New England Patriots' Jonathan Freeny (55) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' LeGarrette Blount (29) leaps over Carolina Panthers' Tre Boston (33) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Matthew Slater (18) returns a kick against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' DeAndre Carter, left, celebrates with Chris Harper, right, after his touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) tries to escape the grasp of New England Patriots' Markus Kuhn (94) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots' D.J. Foster, front, is tackled by Carolina Panthers' David Mayo, back, during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots' Cyrus Jones (24) runs against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots' Jacoby Brissett (7) looks to pass against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady, right, talks with Chris Long, left, on the sidelines during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Jacoby Brissett (7) celebrates with DeAndre Carter (13) after their touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks to the media after a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots' Jimmy Garoppolo speaks to the media after a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Kelvin Benjamin, right, talks with New England Patriots' Cre'von LeBlanc, left, after a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) walks off the field after a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots' LeGarrette Blount (29) greets fans after a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton, right, hugs New England Patriots' Jimmy Garoppolo, left, after a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera, right, shakes hands with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, left, after a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Brian Blechen (50) tries to tackle New England Patriots' Joey Iosefa (47) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Cyrus Jones (24) runs against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Jacoby Brissett (7) celebrates with DeAndre Carter (13) after their touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Los Patriots de New England consiguieron esta noche su tercer triunfo consecutivo de la pretemporada tras vencer de visita 19-17 a los Carolina Panthers.
Una grata aparición
Lo que estaba supuesto a ser una primera mitad donde Jimmy Garoppolo se consolidara como el QB que inicie la temporada, se convirtió en una cátedra de football ofrecida por Brady.
Después de un inicio incierto de Garoppolo, Tom Brady entra al campo faltando 1:56 para el final del primer cuarto y su primer lanzamiento es un pase de 37 yardas al WR Aaron Dobson. Brady corona su noche con otro magnífico pase de TD de 33 yardas, lanzado con precisión sobre el hombro del WR Chris Hogan.
Brady jugó un total de 4 drives o marchas y devolvió el control del partido a Garoppolo quien reingresó faltando 2:07 para el final de la primera mitad.
Brady terminó su presentación completando 3 de 9 pases para 57 yardas, 1 TD, 1 sack.
Garoppolo no convenció
Garoppolo por su parte se notó inseguro, titubeante y jugando bajo mucha presión. El QB tenía dificultades para encontrar a sus receptores y mantenía el balón más tiempo de lo debido.
En ocasiones se notó a Garoppolo confundido como en un pase al WR Julian Edelman cuando el WR se detiene en su ruta y Garoppolo lanza el balón en un lugar no indicado, pase que casi termina en intercepción.
"Hubo un poco de mala comunicación entre nosotros, no puedo hacer ese lanzamiento, no puedo darle una oportunidad como esa al linebacker. Fue mi culpa", dijo el QB.
Garoppolo finalizó su actuación completando 9 de 15 para 75 yardas, 1 sack.
Buen trabajo de Brissett
El tercer QB también tuvo sus minutos en el campo entrando a 3:47 de finalizar el tercer cuarto. Brissett tuvo su mejor actuación de la pretemporada completando 9 de 9 para 85 yardas y 1 TD.
A pesar del buen trabajo de Brissett, debemos recordar que no se enfrentó a lo mejor de los Panthers.
La carrera
En el juego de carrera vimos la consolidación de LeGarrette Blount como el RB de "entre los tackles" (5 carreras, 26 yardas) y también otra buena actuación de Tyler Gaffney (9 carreras, 35 yardas).
Finalmente, pudimos ver al RB D.J. Foster aunque entró cuando los suplentes ya estaban en el campo. De cualquier manera Foster mostró su doble habilidad. Como RB tuvo 2 carreras para 9 yardas y como receptor 3 pases de 3 para 33 yardas.
Por el aire
En el juego aéreo también vimos el debut de Julian Edelman quien receptó 1 de 3 pases para 6 yardas.
Chris Hogan siguió mostrando su gran calidad (5 de 6 pases, 62 yardas, 1TD) mientras que Aaron Dobson (2 de 3 para 49 yardas) y DeAndre Carter (1 de 1 para 12 yardas, 1 TD) continuaron en su competencia por lograr un cupo dentro del equipo.
Línea ofensiva
La OL tuvo una dura tarea frente a una gran defensa como la de los Panthers y lograron una aceptable actuación aunque LT Nate Solder cedió el sack a Brady. El novato Ted Karras inició el partido como RG (guardia derecho) y aunque en ocasiones mostró falta de rapidez, hizo un aceptable partido. También vimos otra buena actuación del RT Marcus Cannon.
Defensa
En la defensa sorprendió la ausencia del DT Terrance Knighton con el equipo titular.
Belichick prefirió empezar con Vincent Valentine y Malcolm Brown, también jugaron minutos importantes los tackles defensivos Markus Kuhn y Anthony Johnson.
"Intentamos nuevas técnicas que no estábamos acostumbrados. Jugamos con los más jóvenes esta noche. Él jugó un poco más la semana pasada, hay competencia en esa posición, ya veremos qué resulta", respondió Belichick sobre la ausencia de Knighton.
Los DEs estuvieron a un buen nivel a pesar de la fortaleza de los Panthers y de lo difícil que es capturar al siempre escurridizo Cam Newton. Trey Flowers (6 tackles, 1 sack) Y Chris Long se multiplicaban y ponían presión, lo mismo que Jimmy Collins quien junto a Hightower mostraron su gran valía en la segunda línea de defensa.
La secundaria vio el regreso del CB Logan Ryan y el grupo de DBs trabajó como un reloj durante buena parte de la noche logrando 3 intercepciones (Ryan, McCourty y Harmon).
El novato Cyrus Jones hizo un buen trabajo desde la ranura y mostró su gran habilidad devolviendo los despejes al lograr un retorno de 60 yardas.
Gostkowski irreconocible
Sorpresivamente el siempre seguro pateador Stephen Gostkowski falló 2 goles de campo 30 y 52 yardas y anotó otro de 25.
Conclusión
Un juego de cierta manera inesperado donde vimos el regreso magistral de Brady y una floja actuación de Garoppolo, 2 hechos que nos dejan un sabor agridulce en la boca.
Siendo el tercer partido de pretemporada veamos el futuro positivamente. Hay material para enfrentar acertadamente esos primeros 4 partidos y la defensa ayudará a su ofensiva. Garoppolo es más de lo que vimos esta noche y lo hará mejor de aquí a dos semanas. Esa es la misión, esa es la esperanza.
