GRESH’S GRADES: A marked improvement over last time

Editor’s Note: Andy Gresh will be part of The Providence Journal’s Patriots coverage for the season. “Gresh’s Grades” will appear each week in print, on providencejournal.com/sports, and on 630wpro.com following a Patriots game.

Sunday’s win over the Jets was not clean by any stretch, as the Patriots committed a season-high in penalties and penalty yards, many by offensive linemen. The red-zone woes still continue for Tom Brady and crew. The bottom line is a win is a win. Remember, the goal is to have enough wins for a bye at the end of the year and the Patriots are now one step closer to that goal.

QUARTERBACK: B+

The numbers and efficiency were impressive. It took a series for Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski to get into a rhythm, but once they did, they capitalized on the few opportunities where Gronk had space to operate. He did force the ball to 87 in the red area but none of it off of play action, which is befuddling. Brady only took five hits on the day, a couple were big shots. He stood tall and delivered the ball. Needs to get going right away in the first quarter.

RUNNING BACKS: A-

Since the day he was drafted, I was a big fan of Sony Michel’s. Runs hard with good power, a nice change of direction, and can hit the home run. The play where he was bent in half, shows his toughness. I’ll give you that James White got 24 garbage rushing yards in the final two minutes, he’s become Mr. Dependable. The Jets worked hard to make sure White didn’t hurt them in the passing game, and the Patriots adjusted. Wait till Rex Burkhead comes back and all three can share the ball.

WIDE RECEIVERS: B

The Pats top four at this position group – Josh Gordon, Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, and Phillip Dorsett – had only one missed target all day: 14 targets, 13 receptions. The penalties are easily correctable, but shouldn’t be happening with this many veterans at this time of year. Gordon is great at running the quick slant. Hogan will get some looks his way in the play-action game with teams loading up on Gronk. Dorsett is a dependable veteran who quietly does his job.

TIGHT END: B+

Gronk was tightly covered most of the day. Jamal Adams did a nice job on him one-on-one and was physical on 87 for the full 60. You would think someone injured as often as Gronk would shy away from catches over the middle of the field, but he was fearless on the TD catch knowing contact was coming. And Jacob Hollister did a nice job of pushing Michel to a first down in the third quarter.

OFFENSIVE LINE: C

It allowed TB12 to be hit only five times. The running game produced nicely but needs to be more consistent in the red area. All six (including LaAdrian Waddle) had good push most of the day. The issue was the penalties. If you count the total yardage (yards lost that would’ve been gained on the play plus the actual penalty yards) lost on three different fouls by three different linemen, the total is 74. Not to mention it takes the wind out of the offensive sails. Not good.

DEFENSIVE LINE: A-

To hold this running game in check, and hit the quarterback 13 times, that’s a great job. Deatrich Wise did have the penalty that extended the drive that led to the Jets first TD, we just didn’t know at that time that was the beginning of a nice day for him around the QB. He and Trey Flowers dominated in the pocket. Good job by the run pluggers, Malcolm Brown and Danny Shelton. I’d like to see Adam Warren get back to crushing the pocket again in pass-rush situations.

LINEBACKERS: B

Lots of passing from the Jets which put Elandon Roberts in space occasionally, and that is not a good thing. Some misses, some nice open-field plays. Dont’a Hightower had one tackle, however, opposite him, Kyle Van Noy had 13. Van Noy is turning into a player that was worthy of a first-round pick. This position is much less about building a fence to stop the run game and is more about running and playing in space. Especially when the opponent throws 45 times.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: B+

Other than the 41-yard play-action connection to Quincy Enunwa, none of the Jets wide receivers made big plays. They extended some drives, but no explosive plays of 20 yards or more. Still, some issues covering running backs, which is an issue across the NFL for defenses. Duron Harmon didn’t play the full complement of snaps like Patrick Chung and Devin McCourty because of wanting bigger bodies in at linebacker to help handle the Jets’ run attack.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B

Other than the kickoff return of 35 yards by Andre Roberts in the first quarter, the kick- and punt-return units did a much better job. Allen missed an opportunity early to give the Pat’s great field position but created a touchback from the Jets’ 40. Stephen Gostkowski’s having a good season both with kickoffs and kicks for points.

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1) Obi Melifonwu got some snaps at safety. He has the size Bill Belichick has been looking for in a “big safety.” I just don’t know about his instincts at the position.

2) People can write and say whatever they want about Gronk. The guy draws attention in coverage and there’s a reason offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels runs to his side on the goal line.

3) The Minnesota Vikings have lots of offensive talent at WR, TE, and RB. But I think QB Kirk Cousins will keep them from winning in Foxboro.

“The Gresh Show” airs each weeknight on 99.7FM and AM 630 WPRO from 6 to 9 p.m.

Article originally posted to The Providence Journal on November 26, 2018. 

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