DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Jamie Collins, Patriots defense look good in preseason opener
DETROIT >> The Patriots are expecting big things out of Jamie Collins in his second stint with the team.
Collins, who was a free agent for several months before the Pats scooped him up, has been running with the starters ever since he signed in May.
“Jamie has been great,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said on 98.5 The Sports Hub prior to kickoff. “As you know, he’s very athletic. (He’s a ) physical player, a talented player who can do a lot of different things…He’s always done a good job for us and I think he’s going to help us. (I) think he’s had a good camp and we expect him to have a good year.”
Facing off against the Lions backups in Thursday’s preseason opener, Collins predictably dominated in limited action. He blasted by Lions offensive tackle Tyrell Crosby for a sack of Tom Savage on a second down. Then, on the ensuing third-and-long, fellow linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley blitzed up the middle to drop Savage.
It was the third sack of the night for the Pats. Nose tackle
Danny Shelton got to Savage on the opening series.
Cornerback Stephon Gilmore, safety Devin McCourty, safety Patrick Chung, cornerback Jason McCourty, linebacker Dont’a Hightower, linebacker Kyle Van Noy, and defensive end Michael Bennett did not play.
Still, several established defensive players, like Collins, saw the field.
Cornerback J.C. Jackson made a terrific passbreakup on a deep pass down the right sideline on the third series. The ball was intended for Lions receiver Andy Jones.
Safety Duron Harmon, edge defender John Simon, middle linebacker Elandon Roberts, defensive end Deatrich Wise, and safety Terrence Brooks were among the veterans to see action, highlighting the rare amount of depth and experience across the Patriots defense.
Simon intercepted a David Fales at the line of scrimmage at the 8:18 mark of the second quarter.
The Pats took a 20-0 lead into the second half. NIGHT OFF FOR VETS As expected, a number of veterans players got the night off.
Offensively, quarterback Tom Brady, running back Sony Michel, running back James White, and offensive linemen Joe Thuney, David Andrews, Shaq Mason and Marcus Cannon watched from the sideline.
The only “starter” to play on the offensive line was Dan Skipper, who has been receiving all the first-team left tackle reps in practice. The Pats might need Skipper in the regular season if Isaiah Wynn (Achilles) is not ready to play. HARRY WATCH Rookie receiver N’Keal Harry made two terrific catches in limited action, but left early with an undisclosed injury.
Following a 25-yard reception – a leaping grab over Lions cornerback Jamal Agnew – Harry limped off and headed to the blue medical tent on the Patriots sideline. He emerged without his helmet, but remained on the sideline, chatting with Brady and Michel.
Harry’s first catch came on his very first snap. He ran a comeback route on a third-and-10 and made a diving grab for a gain of 11 yards. NEW NUMBERS Gone are the days of Jarrett Stidham chucking a deep ball while wearing a linebacker’s jersey number.