For the Patriots to start the 2021 season on a good note, they'll want to both win today and be feeling good about the new guy taking the snaps. While there are enumerable things that go into that happening, I'll just focus on two "Dos" and two "Don'ts".
Don't Leave Points off the Board- While that sounds pretty obvious, the obvious things sometimes get you in trouble because you stopped thinking about them. Leaving points off the board is not just missing PATs and chip in field goals. It is also having a penalty which moves you out of field goal range or puts the team at 1st and 20. Any trips to the red zone need to result in points.
Don't Waste Time Outs- We are out of the preseason and players should know when they are on the field. Burning precious time outs because players aren't paying attention to whether they are on or off the field drives me nuts. Obviously, there are times when coaches burn one to change who they want out there. That's what they are there for and why you can't be forced to use one because someone forgets their role.
Don't Waste Time Outs- We are out of the preseason and players should know when they are on the field. Burning precious time outs because players aren't paying attention to whether they are on or off the field drives me nuts. Obviously, there are times when coaches burn one to change who they want out there. That's what they are there for and why you can't be forced to use one because someone forgets their role.
Do the Little Things to Help the QB- You had a great first down run or reception? Stop the celebrating and get back into the huddle to conserve the play clock. If something is working, make the defense stop it. If you've read my blog before, you know this goes out to Josh and his play calling. Way too often he concerns himself with seeing different looks from an opponent's defense. It's the first game of the season with a rookie under center, go with whatever appears to be working. Keep Mac upright as much as possible. About to get beat and you know it will lead to a sack? Grab something and hold on tight. Get that good field position. Don't be a hero when fielding kickoffs or punts. Better a touchback than setting up your rookie for a safety. The Dolphins defense did get one of those in the preseason.
Do Your Job- You know for a fact that Belichick and all of the other coaches have done their job in preparing the team for a victory. Trust in the plan and be where you are supposed to be. Shading over a little too much on defense to help a guy is going to create a hole somewhere else. While Tua might not take advantage right away, Flores is bound to see it and make some adjustments. There could be a lot of punts today (the Dolphins forced the Bears into 5 straight 3 and outs to start their preseason game), so we may have some unsung heroes or goats (not the G.O.A.T. type) on the punting unit.
Do Your Job- You know for a fact that Belichick and all of the other coaches have done their job in preparing the team for a victory. Trust in the plan and be where you are supposed to be. Shading over a little too much on defense to help a guy is going to create a hole somewhere else. While Tua might not take advantage right away, Flores is bound to see it and make some adjustments. There could be a lot of punts today (the Dolphins forced the Bears into 5 straight 3 and outs to start their preseason game), so we may have some unsung heroes or goats (not the G.O.A.T. type) on the punting unit.
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