FOXBOROUGH — Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ preseason tie with the Colts in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:
Vrabel explains practice absence of Gonzalez, who doesn’t dress: On the 98.5 The Sports Hub pregame show, Vrabel was asked about cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis not taking part in the Colts joint practice.
“Everybody that was healthy practiced (Tuesday),” Vrabel said. “So those guys, we didn’t deem them healthy enough to go out there and participate. When they’re ready, they’ll be back out there. I feel like they’ve all tried to start camp with their own purpose. Gonzo came out competitive and practiced and, I thought, improved. As good as he is, he knows he can still improve.”
Gonzalez tweaked something at the end of Monday’s practice.
I’m sure a lot will be made of Gonzalez not appearing on the sideline during the game, but that’s not unusual. None of the injured players dressed. That list: Gonzalez, DE Harold Landry (PUP), CB Charles Woods, S Brenden Schooler (NFI), LS Julian Ashby, LB Christian Elliss, WR Kyle Dixon, and DT Christian Barmore.
I’m not saying Gonzalez’s contract situation had nothing to do with his absence; it’s just difficult to say it definitely did.
No starters play in the game: Not one Patriots starter took part in this game, and some of the backups like TreVeyon Henderson and Elijah Ponder (when Harold Landry returns) did not play either. The list to my eyes: AJ Brown, Will Campbell, Aljah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson, Mike Onwenu, Morgan Moses, Hunter Henry, DeMario Douglas, Romeo Doubs, Drake Maye, Rhamondre Stevenson, Henderson, Reggie Gilliam; Dre’Mont Jones, Barmore, Cory Durden, Milton Williams, Landry, Robert Spillane, Elliss, Davis, Gonzalez, Marcus Jones, Craig Woodson, Kevin Byard.
OLB: Gabe Jacas
DT: Joshua Farmer
DT: Eric Gregory
OLB: Quintayvious Hutchins
LB: Chad Muma
LB: K.J. Britt
S: Dell Pettus
S: Mike Brown
S: John Saunders
CB: Karon Prunty
CB: Kindle Vildor
QB: Tommy Devito
RB: Jam Miller
LT: Marcus Bryant
LG: Andrew Rupcich
C: Ben Brown (left with an injury, replaced by Jacob Rizy)
RG: James Hudson
RT: Caleb Lomu
TE: Eli Raridon
TE: Tanner Arkin
WR: Mack Hollins
WR: Kayshon Boutte
Defense forces four turnovers: Most of the plays were made by the Patriots’ defense, which forced four turnovers in the first three quarters.
Gabe Jacas got a nice push (about his only highlight), but it was mostly a drop by WR Cameron Owen into the hands of CB Kindle Vildor.
Jeremiah Pharms punched one out at the goal line (recovered by Dell Pettus) that was probably the wrong call, but there aren’t any good replays in preseason.
Linebacker KJ Britt showed some nice hustle and punched the ball out from Richardson at the end of a scramble.
Bradyn Swinson had a good rush that pushed into Riley Leonard and resulted in a punt to John Saunders for the interception.
Additionally, DE Bradyn Swinson had a nice rush and batted pass on fourth down in the red zone for another de facto turnover.
DeVito looks to Kyle Williams for lone touchdown: Through three quarters, Kyle Williams led Patriots receivers with 37 yards on two receptions (three targets). Williams showed off his great release (it’s a strength of his) on the team’s only touchdown.
Another good hookup with Williams on the next drive.
But DeVito underthrew Williams twice (once for a TD when Mike Vrabel wanted Williams to fight back for the ball) after that.
