One thing I learned last year...

Preseason matters. Too often we write off preseason games thinking they are just warm ups, but for the last three seasons they have been almost exact reflections of the team's performance for the regular season. Ill be watching very closely this year.

I don't put much stock in it except for effort. We were 3-1 in both 2014 and 2013. Both seasons had distinctly different results.

Now I will say this- not being able to get lined up in preseason is an issue, so from those things you're right

The Patriots are effectively 2-2 every year in preseason

It's not the final score of the preseason games that really matters. What matters is the execution of the 1s when they play in each game. Typically:

Preseason Game 1: The 1st quarter
Preseason Game 2: The 1st quarter into the 2nd quarter
Preseason Game 3: The first half and possibly the first series of the 3rd quarter. This is the critical game because it's really the only preseason game that is game planned and the starters get significant minutes.
Preseason Game 4: A complete washout. No one who makes the squad is going to play significant minutes.

Everything after that, including the final score, really isn't relevant. When you have the 3s and 4s out there in the 4th quarter or the 4th game, very little of what happens out there translates into the regular season.

So this preseason watch the defense carefully when the 1s and a mix of the 1s and 2s are our there. That's going to be the actual defensive rotation when the season starts. See if they line up correctly, communicate out on the field, hit the right gaps, and not lose receivers or contain. See if they can get off the field on 3rd down, hold the opposition to field goals, and take the ball away.

This will give you a much better indication of how it'll be once they get to live fire in September.

Let's not forget that in 2013 in the preseason, the 1s on defense were bringing it. And it translated directly into that top 5 regular season defense.



Because the final score and the final preseason standings really don't matter. It's the execution of the likely 53 when they are out on the field that matters.
Guys who will be sitting in the stands with you as fans come September are not crucial in evaluating the strength of a team in the preseason.

SFIAH

If we keep talking about improved defense long enough, one day we'll be right.

I think delvin breaux is a exceptional db but I really think he need some prescription sport goggles. High deep balls give him trouble to locate

I got to see Fri-Sun's practices at the GB and the interior of the Def line looked a little more in tune this year than previous camps.

Everyone is talking about Breaux but what needs to improve for the DBs to be able to actually perform better is that D-Line. I definitely saw more pressure up the middle during the live drills. That pressure will impact how much time a QB has in the pocket. The more time in the pocket and the more time a WR has to break coverage. I'd have to do more intensive looks at the game tapes from last season but it ALWAYS seemed like every QB had a ton of time to wait for a guy to get open. That seemed to change this camp from the last 2 years I'd been able to watch camp. I think having a simplified attack plan makes a huge difference too, D Allen is providing that this season. They moved away from that hybrid BS 3-4 that Ryan was trying to make work and the all of the Def players noted during autograph times that they are running 4-3 this season. I'm hoping that Rankins will make an impact and the rest of the interior guys fuse into that new plan and provide the pressure needed for a Def to be better. Gwachum looks like he'll play opposite of Jordan and Tull will factor in as well on the outside.

I think Breaux will be improved this season and his interference calls will go down this year. Hopefully Lewis will be good for opening day and stay healthy through the duration of the season. PJ Williams looked to be running well but man, he was holding or making early contact every single play it seemed. A lot of laundry will be coming his way unless he improves his technique.

I'm cautiously more optimistic that the change in coaching and scheme will make things improve this season. However, there wasn't much room to go lower than last year and a historically bad scoring defense can really only improve. I hope that Def line can put more pressure on, it will only make the DBs look better and help the team overall.

My biggest concern is that the O-line could struggle. Was it that the D-line has improved or that the interior of the O-line is in question? Peat was at LT every day with Armstead out and Streiff was at RT, how long can he last this season? I will say that Peat looked to be highly improved as far as fitness level goes. It was encouraging to see him be able to make it from sideline to sideline and the entire field during cool downs with the team!

I hate to sound cliche'

which is why i LOVE august. its another year of hope. whether its real or not... I had hope so many years, and then a real game came...
--- BUT THIS YEAR IS IT!!!!!