Patriots Preseason Takeaways: Keion White proves to be a beast for the defense in loss to Texans
FOXBORO, Mass. — Keion White took advantage of each and every opportunity during his first game in a New England Patriots uniform. The second-round draft pick was all over the Texans offensive line, showing true athleticism to get into the backfield. While he wasn't credited with a forced fumble, his efforts allowed Calvin Munson to […]
FOXBORO, Mass. — Keion White took advantage of each and every opportunity during his first game in a New England Patriots uniform.
The second-round draft pick was all over the Texans offensive line, showing true athleticism to get into the backfield. While he wasn't credited with a forced fumble, his efforts allowed Calvin Munson to recover the ball for the Patriots
So the main takeaway from the first preseason game: White is going to be VERY fun to watch.
And he wasn't the only rookie to show up, with Malik Cunningham providing a spark on offense in the fourth quarter.
Cunningham was responsible for the Patriots only touchdown in Thursday's game, rushing 9-yard into the end zone.
FINAL SCORE: Texans 20, Patriots 9
Here’s what else I saw from Thursday's game:
NOTABLE PLAYS
– Jalen Mills started the game strong with an interception on C.J. Stroud in the first quarter. The Patriots started with the Ball on the Texans 24-yard line.
– Following Mills interception, the offense was unable to get into the end zone and Nick Folk came out to kick a 44-yard field goal. His three points put the Patriots on the board first.
– Bailey Zappe hit Tyquan Thornton for a 27-yard gain in the first quarter.
– Calvin Munson with a fumble recovery in the second quarter.
– Rookie Isaiah Bolden with a 26-yard return to start the second half.
– Corliss Waitman got his first punt of the night in the third quarter, with 98.5's Alex Barth clocking it as a 4.82 second hang-time. Punt went for 39 yards before being caught.
-Malik Cunningham replaced Trace McSorley in the fourth quarter, having more luck than any Patriots running back in his second play. Cunningham had a seven yard run and was helping New England charge down the field. And one thing stood out on that play: his speed.
-Cunningham almost hit Tre Nixon in the end zone, with a very nicely placed ball, but it went through the hands of Nixon.
– With Cunningham in, Patriots went for it on 4th and 2 and the quarterback hands it off to Pierre Strong Jr., who gets the first down.
– Cunningham runs it in for a 9-yard rushing touchdown.
INJURY
– Carl Davis went down on the field in the first half, with the trainers appearing to be looking at his left leg/knee. He was able to walk off on his own and went to the medical tent.
– Kody Russey was able to walk on his own to the sideline after being hit and staying down for a minute. He walked into the medial tent.
Patriots Injury Report:
G Mike Onwenu (PUP)
G Cole Strange
OT Calvin Anderson (NFI)
RB/WR Ty Montgomery
CB Jonathan Jones
OL Bill Murray
OLB Ronnie Perkins
ST Cody Davis (PUP)
DE Trey Flowers (PUP)
OTHER NOTES
– Stroud, the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, made his NFL debut on Thursday night. He was replaced by Davis Mills towards the end of the first quarter.
– Trace McSorley replaced Bailey Zappe at quarterback in the third quarter. Cunningham replaced McSorely in the fourth.
– Demario Douglas had a quiet night, which could actually be seen as a good sign for the rookie. He was kept on the sidelines with most of the starters, while fellow rookie Kayshon Boutte was involved in the game and getting the reps.
– Marte Mapu, who has been in a red non-contact jersey for all of training camp was not on the field for Thursday's preseason game. Instead, he spent much of the time alongside Steve Belichick and was seen taking notes.
Patriots Offensive Starters:
QB Bailey Zappe
RB Pierre Strong
WR Kayshon Boutte
WR Demario Douglas
TE Anthony Firkser
TE Matt Sokol
LT Conor McDermott
LG Atonio Mafi
C James Ferentz
RG Kody Russey
RT Sidy Sow
Patriots Defensive Starters:
DT Carl Davis
DT Daniel Ekuale
DE Keion White
LB Anfernee Jennings
LB Jahlani Tavai
LB Mack Wilson
CB Jack Jones
CB Christian Gonzalez
S Jalen Mills
S Joshuah Bledsoe
S Myles Bryant
-Matthew Slater certainly said what was on his mind to one official.
QUARTERBACK STATS
Patriots
Bailey Zappe
10 Completions
12 Attempts
67 Passing yards (avg. 5.6)
6 Rushing yards
0 TD
0 INT
Sacked twice
Trace McSorley
1 Completion
3 Attempts
4 Passing yards (avg. 1.3)
3 Rushing Yards
Sacked once
Malik Cunningham
3 Completions
4 Attempts
19 Passing yards (avg. 4.8)
34 Rushing yards (avg. 6.8)
1 Rushing TD
0 INT
Texans
CJ Stroud
2 Completions
4 Attempts
13 Passing yards (averaging 3.3)
6 Rushing Yards
0 TD
1 INT
Sacked once
Davis Mills
9 Completions
12 Attempts
99 Passing yards (avg. 8.3)
0 Rushing yards
1 Passing TD
0 INT
Case Keenum
9 Competions
14 Attempts
79 Passing yards (avg. 5.6)
1 Passing TD
0 INT
Featured Image via Sophie Weller – A to Z Sports
