On Thursday night the Patriots’ had their first game action of the 2023 NFL (pre)season. That means it’s time for the return of the weekly Patriots Ups & Downs.
As is typically the case of the Patriots’ preseason opener, the majority of the Patriots’ veteran starters not playing in the game. That meant it was a good chance to evaluate both the rookie class, and some players sitting on the roster bubble.
Who made the most of the opportunities, and who came up short? Here are 10 players that were up or down on Thursday night based on the initial watch, without the benefit of any film review (in no particular order)…
UP: DL Daniel Ekuale
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale (95) sacks Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Ekuale, competing for a backup defensive tackle role, was one of the first players to pop in this game. He had an early sack, would have had another if not for a penalty called against Anfernee Jennings, and added another run stuff. For now it looks like Ekuale is picking up where he left off last year when he filled in for Christian Barmore.
DOWN: OT Conor McDermott
Jul 27, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots offensive tackle Conor McDermott (75) works with a weight bag during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Look, the entire offensive line collectively could get its own down spot. That being said, we’ll focus on individual players who stood out as particularly having bad games.
The first such player is McDermott, who is believed to be competing with Riley Reiff (who did not play in this game) for the starting right tackle job. McDermott got beat multiple times around the edge, and was called for a false start in this game. He started the game at left tackle – a spot he hadn’t played all of camp – before moving to right tackle for some time in the second half.
DOWN: RB Pierre Strong
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots running back Pierre Strong Jr. (35) ru8ns after the catch with Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris (48) in tow during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Like the offensive line, the Patriots’ running backs could be a collective ‘down’ on Thursday night. Again though, we’ll focus on specifics.
With the offensive line struggling, the lack of production from the running backs should come with a grain of salt. Still, there were a couple of moments in the passing game where Strong tried to do too much, lost his footing, and ended up limiting himself on the play. That includes a designed third-down swing pass that would have set Strong up with room to run had he not stumbled going into his route and caused Bailey Zappe to hold the ball a beat too long.
DOWN: OL Sidy Sow
New England Patriots tackle Sidy Sow (54) works with the tackling sled during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
The next rookie on our list, Sow got run around multiple times as a pass blocker on Thursday night. There’s still a way to go for Sow, who is working on making the change from guard to tackle.
UP: LB Anfernee Jennings
New England Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) walks onto the field for practice at 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Katie Bennert/98.5 The Sports Hub)
Take away a ticky-tack roughing the passer call, and Jennings played a really solid game while he was in during the first half. He had multiple QB pressures playing as the strong-side edge rusher, a job that could be up for grabs right now.
DOWN: CB Rodney Randle
Jun 12, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Rodney Randle Jr. (39) works out at the Patriots minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Numerous times, Randle’s coverage assignments were left wide open in the middle of the field. The big, physical corner had trouble keeping up with some of the Texans’ smaller, shiftier wide receivers.
UP: WR Kayshon Boutte
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (58) makes a catch during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Look, it was a tough night to evaluate wide receiver play. Quarterbacks rarely had enough time to lets receivers finish their route patterns, never mind find them downfield.
That being said, Kayshon Boutte did get himself open somewhat regularly. Often Bailey Zappe was already running away from pressure by the time he did, but it’s still a good individual sign for Boutte.
DOWN: OL Chasen Hines
Aug 11, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots guard Chasen Hines (63) warms up before a preseason game against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Hines was another Patriots offensive lineman that had a rough night. He got bowled over at times run blocking, which in part led to the Patriots’ issues on the ground.
DOWN: LB Diego Fagot
Diego Fagot takes the field for the New England Patriots before practice during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (98.5 The Sports Hub)
Fagot is already facing an uphill battle for a roster spot, and didn’t help his case on Thursday night when he got called for a neutral zone infraction on a 4th & 1 that turned a would-be Texans punt into a first down. Those kinds of miscues aren’t going to help his standing with Bill Belichick.
