It may only be week 1 but Tom Brady and the Patriots offense looks like they are in midseason form, marching up and down the field en route to a 38-24 victory last night in Miami.
Brady was as close to perfect as you can get, completing 32 passes for 517 yards and four touchdowns. Brady set a franchise record for passing yardage in a single game, a Monday Night record for passing in a single game, tied the longest passing play in NFL history and oh yeah he also racked up his 3000th career completion.
After the game, Brady was quick to point out the help that he got from his receiving corps, who were wide open nearly every time he dropped back to pass. His 99-yard TD pass came on a 25-yard seam route by former Dolphin Wes Welker who shook off the only would be tackler and took it to the house, effectively ending the contest then and there.
Tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez were equally impressive, combining for 13 catches, 189 yards and two Touchdowns. The pair of sophomore studs presented matchup problems all over the field and look to continue that production all year long. Deion Branch was also solid as usual, amassing 93 yards on seven receptions.
Defensively, the Patriots are in need of some improvement, especially in the passing game, allowing Chad Henne to pass for 416 yards and two scores, although one was a garbage time TD pass to Reggie Bush. Henne started the game by marching the Dolphins all the way down the field and cementing the seven minute drive with a 9-yard TD run. Henne ran a QB draw out of a five receiver set that spread out the Patriots linebackers and defensive backs enough to create a huge gap in the middle of the field. That was probably the highlight of the game for Miami.
Brady and the Patriots marched down the field in a little over three minutes, capping their drive with a 4-yard TD run from BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
Rob Gronkowski then scored on a 10-yard out route early in the second quarter after making several wide open catches. The Dolphins responded early in the third, as former Buckeye Brian Hartline hauled in a Chad Henne pass to tie the score at 14. That was as close as the Dolphins would get.
New England's next opponent is the San Diego Chargers at 4:15 on Sunday, the Patriots' home opener.
*Game Notes*
*The Dolphins trotted Fergie out to "sing" the national anthem. Apparently, she is part owner of the team or something? Like I said on Twitter last night, I would be embarrassed if that broad was involved in any way shape or form with any of my favorite teams. What a joke. Ditto for that mouse-faced clown Mark Anthony who was seen wooping it up in a luxury box with his bros Will Smith and Dwyane Wade.
*Gotta love how the Pats' were using their tight ends. On the first drive, four out of the seven plays featured three Tight End sets. Hernandez was split out at times and they even used Gronkowski off of the line once in a while. Both TE's were wide open all game and will continue to be matchup problems for whomever they face.
*One of the bigger storylines going into last night's game was the new look offensive line. More specifically, fans were wondering whether or not Nate Solder could handle Cameron Wake, given that it was his first NFL game. Oh yeah, he was also playing on the right side. Solder answered critics by dominating Wake throughout the game. Using his reach, he was able to steer Wake away from Brady time and again, even laying down on top of him at one point. Wake did eventually get pressure on Brady here and there but the Patriots' coaching staff has to be pleased with what they saw.
*It didn't look like they were pleased with Chad Ochocinco however, as he was flagged for illegal formation on his first snap as a Patriot. As Jaws pointed out, that is simply inexcusable for a veteran. Ocho caught one pass for 14 yards, but otherwise wasn't targeted much. It's only one game but he has to contribute in some way and soon. I mean someone explain how Brady had a career day and didn't even use his most accomplished wideout. Granted, Ochocinco appeared to get interfered with on one play when the referees swallowed their whistles.
*Gruden was typically entertaining last night, fawning over Brady as he always does, but it was his neverending praise of Reggie Bush that took the cake. While Bush looked like he is ready to step in to the Dolphins' every down back role, he hardly impressed me on the whole. Maybe it's because I'm not used to seeing him run between the tackles but Gruden was acting like he turned a corner as a player. Why then, did Miami not use Bush at all on their two goalline possessions in the third quarter?
*Speaking of those two possessions, they are probably what cost the Dolphins the game. Chad Henne tried forcing the ball to Brandon Marshall on the first one, nearly getting picked by Devin McCourty in the process. The second possession wasn't any better as Henne overthrew Hartline and the Dolphins were stopped on fourth down. The next play was the 99-yard pass to Welker.
*The only blemish on Brady's performance was his interception to Odrick. The interception was Brady's first in 358 pass attempts (in the regular season), an NFL record.
*Oh yeah, for the love of God, no more throwing TD passes to linebackers! That's exclusively Mike Vrabel's thing! I know Dane Fletcher and he's no Vrabel.
*I normally complain about the insane amount of commercials during an NFL game but the NFL is finally doing the right thing when it comes to instant replay. In years past, there would be a continuous shot of the referee watching the replay over and over. Now they go to commercial during the review. Rather than the boring "tv timeouts" the NFL can still get their advertising dollars while delivering a better product on television, which should be the point.
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