Author Topic: Game #1: Chiefs @ Patriots Game Preview  (Read 1993 times)

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Game #1: Chiefs @ Patriots Game Preview
« on: September 04, 2008, 04:01:56 PM »

Offline hollywood14

  • Jaden Springer
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Quote
Kansas City Chiefs (0-0)  at  New England Patriots (0-0)
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Where: Foxboro, Massachusetts
When: Sunday; September 7th


Three Players to Watch[/u]: Patriots[/b]



[1]. Matt Light ..:.. LT



 :arrow: Light has missed most of training camp and pre-season action with a nagging injury. However, he has been practicing this week and it slated to start at left tackle come Sunday. It did not take a brain sergent to realize that the Patriots offensive line just wasn't the same without Light and others like Stephen Neal and even Nick Kaczur. Quarterback Tom Brady has had Light protecting his blind side even since he came into the league so you better believe that Brady will be pleased that his security blanket is healthy and ready to go. Against the Chiefs he will be going up against Tamba Hali. In the past Light has struggled with speed rushers like Aaron Schobel, Jason Taylor, and Dwight Freeney, although his recent success on San Diego Chargers Shawn Merriman has caused the concern to dwindle to a minimum. Hali is more of a power rusher, who's strongest attribute is in the running game. However, Light could have trouble against the former Penn State star.

[2]. Tom Brady ..:.. QB



 :arrow: Brady should and will play against the Chiefs. The guy hasn't missed a start since he was named the starter of Drew Bledsoe in 2001. However, the injury should still be a concern, it is the same type of injury that Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison had last season and we saw how that effected him all season. To make matters worse for Brady and the offense, right guard Stephen Neal is on the physically unable to perform list and won't see any game action until week seven. On the contrary, reserve guard Russ Hochstein has practiced this week and he is more then a viable option. Then raises the question on the chemistry. Brady hasn't played a game since the Super Bowl and players will tell you that practice speed is remarkably different from the actual game. History will tell us that this shouldn't be a problem as last season Randy Moss missed the entire pre-season and came out and absolutely dominated the New York Jets secondary. It's still worth noting. Lastly, Brady will be without Kevin Faulk, who he often uses for check downs in most situations. Should be very intriguing to watch how he plays.

[3]. Ellis Hobbs ..:.. CB



 :arrow: There is no hiding that I'm not the biggest Hobbs supporter out there but I do realize that this is his year. He has to be the number cornerback on this roster and he has to play up to the level of the Ty Law's and Asante Samuel's. Now the Patriots don't need him to get seven interceptions next season but us fans would just like any type of consistent play. He will have his hands full with Bowe this week as Bowe is a big, fast, physical receiver that Hobbs has had trouble with in the past. The Patriots will have to send safety help, whether it's James Sanders or Brandon Meriweather, as Bowe will be a load to tackle after the catch, especially for Hobbs. Things could only get worse for Hobbs is Larry Johnson has a big game as the Patriots will most likely throw eight men in the box which would leave to little help for Hobbs up top. Watching this game on Sunday, be prepared to see "hollywood" let up many receptions while making one good play every once in a while. The key for Hobbs is to not let up that one big play.


Three Players to Watch[/u]: Chiefs[/b]



[1]. Larry Johnson ..:.. RB



 :arrow: Johnson is one of the better backs in the league, there is not one person that will tell you different. While I feel the Chiefs coaching staff, especially Herm Edwards, put major trend on his tires for later on his career by letting him run the ball 416 times in 2006, that's not relevant right now. Johnson should see a heavy work load on Sunday and he should have great success. Through the four pre-season games the Patriots run defense looked very suspect to say the least. Now, many will claim that the Patriots were calling 'vanilla' plays and while that's true, so were the offensive teams. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ran up the middle for most of a 17 plays opening touchdown drive and the Patriots just couldn't stop them. On paper the Patriots have a great front three with Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork, and Richard Seymour and a respectable linebackers corp with Adalius Thomas, Jerod Mayo, Tedy Bruschi, and Mike Vrabel. However, you don't play the games on paper. The Chiefs will try to pound the Patriots up the middle as they just wouldn't have any success running off tackle with rookie Brenden Albert on Richard Seymour. The Patriots will put eight men in the box, including safety Rodney Harrison and they will force the Chiefs to pass. However, the scary part is that Johnson can and will have success even with the eight men in the box.

[2]. Brodie Croyle ..:.. QB



 :arrow: This is Croyle's year to shine. For the first time in his brief NFL career he won't have veteran Damon Huard breathing down his neck. Croyle will be able to make plays on sheer athleticism alone however his knowledge of the game has increased immensely since being drafted out of Alabama back in 2005. This is his second year with Dwayne Bowe and he has a nice compliment of other young receivers in Williams Franklin, Jeff Webb, and over time Kevin Robinson. While many will talk about Jay Cutler, Vince Young, Tavaris Jackson, and Matt Leinart as some top young single callers, however I feel Croyle is the best young quarterback in this league. Last year it was his team to manage and he was in charge of basically not screwing anything up. This season Croyle will have to make plays on his own, as teams will put eight men in the box. With a less then stellar corner back group look for Croyle to find Bowe, and find him a lot. They will establish the run with Larry Johnson early and often which will open the air waves for Croyle on play action passes. The Patriots cannot sleep on this guy, they just can't. 


[3]. Tamba Hali ..:.. DE



 :arrow: After Herm Edwards reached for Hali in the 2006 draft, by drafting him 20th, fans were outraged. However Hali entered camp as a rookie and hasn't turned back. He has recorded 16 sacks over the last two seasons and has started every game during that span. You could argue that Hali has had a better career then first overall pick Mario Williams of the Houston Texans. Hali has recently moved from the left defensive end spot to the right where he'll now attack the quarterback from his blind spot. Although he is not considered a pass rusher, he still has the tools to be effective in that area. Sunday he'll go up against Matt Light who we touched upon earlier in this preview. Light has missed all of the pre-season and it will tough early on as he has to adjust back to the speed of the game. Hali should be able to win the initial battle at the line of scrimmage and make plays in the running game however, if Light has to take a step back and pass block, I'd give the edge to Light.

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« Last Edit: September 04, 2008, 05:00:07 PM by wdleehi »

Re: Game #1: Chiefs @ Patriots Game Preview
« Reply #1 on: September 04, 2008, 05:34:51 PM »

Offline Celtsfan33/34

  • Xavier Tillman
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This will be a game for maybe 1 quarter before the Pats pull away.  End result 31-17 Pats.