Patriots and Roughriders Updates:

Patriots Preseason Game #2 v. Cincinnati (8/20/09):

The Patriots faced Cincinnati at home on a warm Thursday evening, hoping to continue the high level of play from Game 1. The Bengals won the toss and elected to receive. Gostkowski’s kick boomed deep into the end zone and the returner took a knee. The Patriots’ D came out in a 3-4 base. On second and 7 from the 23, O’Sullivan connected with Ocho over the middle for 12. A penalty, a loss and a sack took the Bengals back to the 17, and they had to punt. The Patriots took over at their 29. Welker took a hitch pass on the left side and streaked to the 29. Brady then hit Greg Lewis on the left side for 10. The drive ended stalling and Gostkowski kicked a 32-yarder to put the Pats up 3-0. Cincinnati’s Quan Cosby returned the ensuing kick to the 17. On their second series, the Bengals ran “Fumbles” Benson up the middle three times. They were able to move the ball to the 36 before punting out. Edelman took the punt, but was squeezed on the left side at the 27. Brady was sacked on first down by Geathers, and despite a 15-yard gain on a pass from Brady to Taylor, the offense had to kick out. Slater was flagged for interfering with the punt returner and the Bengals got an additional 15 yards, bring the ball to the 38. O’Sullivan connected with Ocho over the middle to the Patriots’ 41. Two straight penalties brought the ball back 10 yards. Benson carried off right tackle to the 38. Benson made two more runs for a first down.

Moving into the second quarter, the Bengals moved backwards and New England ended up taking over on downs. Brady handed things over to Kevin O’Connor. On first down, Fred Taylor ripped off left tackle for 10 to the 38. The drive went nowhere thereafter and the Pats had to kick out. On first down, O’Sullivan hit Coates over the middle, but he fumbled and McGowan recovered at the 38. On second-and 10, O’Connell hit Maroney on the left side for 14 yards, but the drive stalled and they punted out and the Bengals took over at the 20. From there, Jordan Palmer hit Ocho down the left side to midfield. Ocho made Wheatley look like a chump and stiff armed Bruschi along the way. But the drive fizzled and they punted out pinning the Patriots deep in their own territory. The Bengals started their next drive at the Patriots’ 35. O’Sullivan returned and hit Jerome Simpson, who made a spectacular diving catch for a touchdown, but Simpson was caught pushing off and the play was called back. On the next play, O’Sullivan connected with Henry coming down the left side for a 24-yard touchdown, torching Wheatley in the process. Ocho kicked the extra point and the Bengals went ahead 7-3. On the Patriots’ ensuing drive, O’Connell hit Faulk twice and Galloway once, moving the ball to the Bengals 31. From there, Gostkowski ended up kicking a 41-yarder to make it 7-6 just before time expired in the first half.

The Bengals allowed Ocho to kick off to start the second half. Brian Hoyer came out as the Patriots’ quarterback. Hoyer connected with David Thomas for a first down. Two plays later, BJGE made a nice run inside the 45. Hoyer then connected with Nunn for another first down. The Bengals move the ball quite well, De De Dorsey had a long run, taking the ball into the red zone. From there, Leonard took it inside the 10. Another pass interference call against the Bengals pushed the ball back to the 22. Eventually, they moved the ball to the 6, where they went for it on fourth down. Palmer’s pass attempt failed and the Patriots took over on downs. From the 3, Hoyer hit Nunn for a 30-yard gain and BJGE followed with a 13-yard rip up the middle. Hoyer was pancaked by Sims on the next play, Maualuga made a great stop on BJGE and the Patriots punted out to end the third quarter.

The fourth quarter was typical of early preseason games, in which the starters have long since departed and it’s garbage time being fought out by guys who (by and large) won’t be around come Week 1. The ball changed hands twice in the first five minutes of the quarter without much happening. Sam Aiken made a terrific sideline catch that brought the ball down to the Bengals’ 35, then Hoyer connected with Nunn on the left side down to the 12. From the 10, BJGE took it up the middle and fumbled. The Bengals recovered with 3:30 remaining and it appeared as if the Patriots’ best chance to go ahead went by the boards. Hoyer led the offense down the field one last time in the final minute with no timeouts remaining. He moved the ball out to the 40, then scrambled to midfield but was unable to get out of bounds as time expired. Final score: Cincinnati 7, Patriots 6.

New England played poorly tonight and deserved to come out on the short end. Even though the score was irrelevant, fans had hoped that the team would play sharp and show continued development heading into the third (and most important) preseason game but that didn’t happen tonight. It’s back to the drawing board for next Friday night’s game in Washington.

Roughriders Game 8 at Montreal (8/21/09):

The Riders traveled east to McGill Stadium for a very tough test against the 6-1 Alouettes. The Als boast the CFL’s top offense and quarterback in Anthony Calvillo and the Als have gotten off to a flying start, and have won two more games than all the other teams in the League. The Roughriders have been nothing if inconsistent. One week they play like the best and the next play miserably. Having been previously humiliated 43-10 by Montreal, the Riders wanted to put forth a more creditable showing, though they were decided underdogs coming in. The weather conditions in Montreal were oppressingly humid with periodic showers.

The Riders won the toss and elected to receive, but went two and out on their opening drive. Montreal started on their 46, and a reception by Watkins picked up 8. Calvillo missed on a second and two, and the Als had to kick out. Duval punted into the end zone for a single (1-0). On the Riders’ first possession, Anwar Stewart sacked Durant and they had to kick out, Boreham’s punt was returned by Larry Taylor 65 yards for a touchdown to make it 8-0 Montreal. When the Riders got the ball back, Durant hit Wes Dressler on a 45-yard play down the right sideline to Montreal’s 34. Two plays later, Durant found Dressler at the 23. Montreal committed a pass interference penalty against Dressler, putting the ball on the Als’ 1. Montreal’s goal line defense held on two runs up the middle. The Riders went for it on third and one, and the Als held. Talk about a squander! Why didn’t they just go for a field goal? The Als couldn’t move the ball deep in their territory and Duval conceded a safety (8-2). Eric Morris returned Duval’s kick to the Riders’ 36. Durant then connected with Dressler over the middle at midfield for a first down. Montreal was called for defensive holding and another first down. Durant’s next pass was intercepted by Matthew Proulx at the Als’ 10 after Sanchez tipped a pass intended for Clarmont directly to Proulx. Avon Colbourne made a couple of nice runs, taking the ball out to the 32 as the quarter ended.

On the first play of the second quarter, Calvillo hit Jamel Richardson at midfield. On the next play, John Chick sacked Calvillo and Duval had to punt out; it was a 61-yard beauty and Morris conceded the single (9-2). On the ensuing possession, Duval hit Dressler on a 38-yard completion at Montreal’s 36. From the 26, Durant hit Rob Bagg on a play-action touchdown pass, and the Riders tied the score 9-9. Jamie Boreham’s kick went deep into the end zone and the Als elected to concede the single (10-9). Montreal came back on their next possession to take the lead on an 18-yard field goal by Duval. Morris returned Duval’s kickoff to the Rider 25. On second down at the 35, Montreal was flagged for illegal contact, giving the Riders another first down. From Montreal’s 43, Durant hit Jeran Walker on a deep sideline pass for a touchdown, and the Riders went up 17-12. This was the second time that Durant torched Montreal’s Sanchez. On the ensuing kickoff, Taylor returned the kick to midfield, putting the Als in great shape. On second down, Calvillo connected with Cahoon for a first down. Avon Cobourne then carried up the middle to the 19. Calvillo then hooked up with Cahoon to the 12. From the 8, Calvillo hit Cahoon in the end zone and Montreal went back on top 19-17 with 33 seconds left in the half.

Montreal got the ball to open the second half, and decided to go for it on third and 1 at their 53, and failed to get a first down. Morris returned Duval’s punt 28 yards to Riders’ 33. Montreal was called for another interference call giving the Riders a first down, but Durant was intercepted by Proulx, who returned it to the 28. The Als decided to go for it on third and 3 from the 18, and picked up the first down. From the 8, Cobourne carried to the 5. An offensive holding call brought the ball back 10 yards. Two plays took the ball back to the 2 and the Als decided to go for it. Calvillo found Kerry Watkins wide open for the touchdown and the Als went up 26-17. On the Riders’ next drive, Durant gained 26 on a quarterback draw to Montreal’s 49. After a penalty, Cates carried to the 39, but Durant was sacked by Stewart back at the 50 taking the Riders out of field goal territory. Montreal returned the ball back to their 20 and went two and out as the quarter ended.

The Als got the ball back early in the fourth, starting at their 25. Calvillo hit Cahoon for 7 over the middle, but Watkins dropped a pass leading to another punt. Dressler returned the punt back to the Riders’ 42. Two penalties against the Riders took the ball back 10 yards. After a 13-yard gain, Boreham had to punt away. Montreal regained possession deep in their end and the Rider defense held. Duval’s punt was returned to midfield by Morris but a face mask penalty cost the Riders 15 yards. Durant’s first pass in the drive was intercepted by Cox, who returned the ball to the Riders’ 22. From there, Calvillo moved the ball inside the 20, as Montreal chewed up a ton of clock time. From the 10, Cobourne carried over the left side for the touchdown to make it 33-17. Four turnovers tonight really hurt the Riders. On their next possession, the Riders moved the ball deep into Montreal territory. After a nice pass from Durant to Dressler moved the ball to the Als’ 4, Hugh Charles took it in from there. The Riders went for two and Durant escaped two defenders and hit Getzlaf in the end zone to make it 33-25. On second and 7, Calvillo was sacked and appeared to have fumbled, but the referee ruled the play an incomplete pass and Montreal punted out. A holding call put the Riders back to their 22. Two pass completions by Durant moved the ball to the Riders’ 49, with 1:29 left. On 3rd-and-10, Durant scrambled up the middle, but fell short by a yard. With one timeout remaining, the defense held. Duval’s kick went into the end zone and the Als salted this one away with a single. Final score: Montreal 34, Saskatchewan 25. The Riders now go into their bye week with a 4-4 record, still very much in the Western Division race but have to feel somewhat disappointed by the turnovers, special teams play and tonight’s result.

Patriots Pre Season Game 3 at Washington Redskins

The Patriots traveled to FedEx Field for their third (and most important) preseason game as they prepare for the real thing in a couple of weeks. The Patriots won the toss and elected to receive. Maroney returned the ball out to the 38. The Patriots went three and out on their first drive. Matt Slater interfered with the fair catch and the ‘Skins got an extra 15 yards out to the 31. Campbell connected with Kelly on the right side on second down for a first down. On the next play, Santana Moss made a nice leaping catch for 21 yards. An offensive holding call took the ball back 10 yards, but Campbell hit Moss on the next play for 14. A pass completion to Randle El gained seven more and another first down. A pass interference call against Darius Butler put the ball on the Patriots’ 1 and Marcus Mason took it up the middle and Washington was ahead early 7-0. The Patriots started their next drive at their 26. Brady hit Maroney for a gain of 9 on first down, but Maroney went nowhere on his carry on second down. Maroney carried for 3 to pick up a first down but fumbled on his carry (recovered by the Patriots). Brady connected with Moss over the middle for a first down then found Galloway for 20 to the 27. On the next play, Brady found Moss on the right side for a touchdown pass to tie the score 7-7. Brady was 4-4 on the drive (7 plays, 73 yards) and picked apart the Redskins’ secondary. The ‘Skins started their next drive at their 29, and went three and out. Pat Chung fumbled the punt but Butler scooped it up and the Patriots took over at their 16. On first down, Brady connected with Moss for a first down, After an encroachment penalty, Fred Taylor carried for a first down. On third and 7, Brady hit Moss with a short pass but DeAngelo Hall was called for a face mask giving the Patriots another first down. Brady connected with Moss for another 9 as the first quarter came to a close.

On the first play of the second quarter, Brady went over the top to find Moss for a 27-yard touchdown pass and the Patriots were up 14-7. Starting at their 26, the Redskins went three and out, as two runs went nowhere and Campbell was heavily pressured on third down. On the Pats’ next drive, Brady connected with Maroney for 8, then Maroney carried up for 10, and he followed that up with another catch for a first down. An unsportsmanlike penalty call against the Redskins’ bench moved the ball down to the 26. An offensive pass interference call took the ball back 10 yards and they had to settle for a 43-yard field goal by Gostkowski to make it 17-7. The Redskins started out their next drive at the 20, where Campbell connected with Moss for 7. But the drive stalled and they had to punt out. After the Pats went three and out, Washington started out at their 8. Campbell found Santana Moss for 11 then connected with Cooley on a 73-yard pass play down the left sideline to New England’s 6. On third-and-goal, Campbell scrambled to the left and took it in to make it 17-14. The Patriots started their next drive at the 23 with just under three minutes left in the half, but went three and out. Haynesworth flattened Brady on third down and Brady went down heavily on his right shoulder. The Redskins went into their two-minute drill and moved the ball into the red zone in the final minute. Jarvis Green popped Campbell but good as he completed a pass to Betts to the 8. With five seconds left, the ‘Skins had to settle for a chip shot field goal to tie the score at 17 as the first half ended.

The Redskins started the second half at their 24. Mason carried off left tackle for 11 to start. Campbell hooked up with Thomas for 16 on the next play. On 3rd and 3, Campbell’s pass was incomplete and they had to punt away. Pat Chung called for a fair catch at the 8, so the Patriots were pinned pretty deep to start their opening drive of the second half. Kevin O’Connell opened up at quarterback, as Brady went back to the locker room fueling suspicions that he may have been injured worse than originally thought. O’Connell hit Greg Lewis for a first down. Laron Landry intercepted O’Connell’s pass and Washington took over at the Patriots’ 27. Colt Brennan came in and hit Mason for a first down at the 20 and then hit on another pass to Fred Davis at the 10. An off-side penalty took the ball to the 5. On third-and-goal, Brennan threw in the flat, Jonathan Willhite intercepted the pass and took it 99 yards to the house and the Patriots were up 24-17. The ‘Skins came right back as Brennan hit Mason for 12 out to the 35. Brennan was then sacked by Gary Guyton on second down, and the ‘Skins had to punt out. On the Patriots’ next possession, O’Connell was intercepted by Kevin Barnes on a poorly thrown sideline pass and the ‘Skins took over at the Patriots’ 44. Brennan found Mitchell for a first down at the 33. On third and 10, Brennan found Mitchell down the left sideline, who made a nice over the shoulder catch for a touchdown to tie the score 24-24.

Moving into the fourth quarter, a roughing the passer call against Washington moved the ball out to the 43. BJGE carried for 22 on a draw play, then Chris Taylor carried for 10. Taylor then carried for 8 down to the 18. Taylor then fumbled at the 10 and Washington recovered. Anthony Alridge carried twice for over 20 yards to take the ball out of the back end. A roughing the passer call against the Patriots took the ball to the 41. Brennan found Hagins for another first down and Alridge carried for 15 more. But a sack by Titus Adams took the ball back to the 35, where Suisham’s field goal try went short from 52 yards out. The Patriots didn’t do much, but Hanson’s punt pinned the ‘Skins back at their 2. A third down and 2 rush attempt by Alridge was stopped cold and they had to punt out, Pat Chung returned the punt 33 yards to Washington’s 23. BJGE carried for 8 on first down. From there, Walter fumbled and the ball was recovered by Washington, but it was ruled that the Patriots called time out before the ball was snapped. Gostkowski then hit a 31-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining, and the Patriots won 27-24.