gresh and fauria: Could Malik Cunningham be the Patriots’ Taysom Hill?
While the Patriots technically won their matchup versus the Packers on Saturday evening, the final score wasn’t even close to the most important story of the night.
With the first thought below being the focal point, here are seven immediate thoughts from clubs contest in Green Bay:
7 - Football is never that serious.
New England’s 2022 seventh round pick, rookie Isaiah Bolden, was carted off of Lambeau Field with 10:29 to go in the fourth quarter. The cornerback collided with linebacker Calvin Munson on a tackle attempt and laid motionless while team trainers and NFL officials tended to him.
As the defender was being stretchered off of the field, officials along with both team’s head coaches decided to suspend the remainder of the matchup, putting both Bolden and their clubs’ health ahead of the win/loss column.
According to the Patriots, Bolden “sustained an injury during the fourth quarter of tonight’s game. He had feeling in all his extremities, but has been taken to a local hospital for further tests and observation."
Updates on Bolden will continue at WEEI.com.
6 - Punter Bryce Baringer may be a game changer.
The Patriots struggled on special teams last season for the first time under head coach Bill Belichick. Not only did they allow several kick returns for touchdowns and make plenty of mental mistakes but punters Jake Bailey and Michael Palary gave the unit virtually nothing to work with sub par punting all season. Bill Belichick had seen enough.
The team selected Bryce Baringer with the 192nd pick in the sixth round of this year’s draft and, despite an up-and-down week at practice in Green Bay this week, shined in the team’s preseason game on Saturday.
The rookie out of Michigan State was booming the ball, allowing New England’s gunners in Matthew Slater and Brenden Schooler to rally to the football and contain the Packers’ punt returners. He’s likely already won the punter job.
5 - The Packers have yet another quarterback in Jordan Love.
Aaron Rodgers nipped at the heels of Brett Favre for three seasons in Green Bay, and Jordan Love just nipped at his for the last two.
While I’m not directly comparing the two, both have something special.
Love went 5 for 8 passing on his two drives leading the Packers offense against the Patriots on Saturday night, making two sensational throws. The 2020 first round pick out of Utah one down the sideline to second-year receiver Romeo Doubs and another for a touchdown to rookie Jayden Reed.
He has all of the arm talent you could ask for in a quarterback and with Matt LeFleur calling the shots, it looks like he’ll be able to put it all together.
4 - Myles Bryant is a roster lock.
New England’s fifth cornerback, who a lot of fans unfortunately loathe, will absolutely make the team. Myles Bryant is a mainstay in the back end of the Patriots defense and when put in the right spots, is worthy of a spot on the 53 man roster.
The fourth year defensive back made a great pass breakup on rookie pass-catcher Jayden Reed on the Packers’ second series. Not only is Bryant a favorite of the coaching staff, but can be an effective player when he’s not hung out to dry.
The corner/safety combo saw a select few drives on Saturday and was then held out with the rest of the starters. He’ll be in Foxborough for week one and beyond.
3 - Demario Douglas isn’t just a roster lock. He’s going to be a day one contributor.
Despite drafting Demario Douglas out of Liberty in the sixth round, the Patriots are treating him like a first round pick.
The rookie pass catcher out of Liberty played just two snaps for New England’s offense on Saturday night, but hauled in a catch from starting quarterback Mac Jones on both reps for a total of 17 yards.
The 5-foot-8 shifty slot receiver is a throwback model of what New England had with guys like Troy Brown (Douglas’ position coach), Wes Welker, and Julian Edelman.
Bill O’Brien and Jones are going to have fun with the former Flame.
2 - Just like last week, the offensive line will be the downfall.
With Mac Jones under center, the Patriots looked put together offensively. The third year quarterback completed six of nine pass attempts for 52 yards and looked like he had control of his unit. The problem was the offensive line.
Jones was in command of offensive coordinators Bill O’Brien’s system on Saturday, reading run-pass-options properly and checking into productive run plays at the line. The issue was the protection in front of him.
Green Bay sacked Jones twice, once forcing a lost fumble, and successfully got the Patriots out of rhythm offensively. Despite the former Alabama quarterback showing confidence in the operation, it's hard to believe that will continue if his facemask remains in the dirt.
1 - Kendrick Bourne is good.
While the title is sarcastic, the thought is not. Shamefully, the Patriots failed to use the wide receiver they paid $15 million to at all last season.
On Saturday night, he hauled in three passes for 34 yards from Mac Jones, including this highlight reel catch:
For reasons pretty much unknown, Bourne was in the dog house with Patriots “offensive coordinator” Matt Patricia last season. He was a no-show all year and caught just 35 passes for 434 yards in 2022.
With a clean slate now in front of him, the former San Francisco 49er looks poised to play a major role in New England’s offense in 2023.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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