The post Sunday afternoon craziness for the New England Patriots appeared first on Cover32.
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Rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who threw his first National Football League pass on Sunday filling in for the injured Garoppolo and held on (barely) to defeat the Dolphins 31-24, is thrust into the starting role. Unfortunately, Garoppolo wasn’t on the field to enjoy the victory-or for the entire second half of the game.
Garoppolo was hurt in the second quarter after a hit by Kiko Alonso and rookie Jacoby Brissett took over as the Patriots quarterback, but Garappolo had already thrown three touchdowns and New England had a 21-0 lead before he left the game with a shoulder injury.
A day later, after breaking down the film, he was equally upbeat about the young quarterback’s performance stepping in for Garoppolo. Slot receiver Julian Edelman, who played QB for Kent State, served as Plan D if an emergency demanded it on Sunday.
The last time New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount faced the Houston Texans, it was December 13, 2015, and he was knocked out by a hip injury that ultimately ended his season.
And if the second half was an indicator, it’s going to be an uphill battle on Thursday night.
RESILIENT DOLPHINS: The Dolphins dug out of a 31-3 hole with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns. Safety Duron Harmon sealed the victory with an interception in the end zone as time expired.
The New England Patriots have a brand new quarterback issue.
There’s been no confirmation – yet – that Brissett will get the start. He could be in there for the last play of the game, so he has got to prepare for that and he has got to prepare for all the ones in between. It would also make history: no black quarterback has ever started a game for New England.
As for the out-of-nowhere incumbent, the Patriots are saying all positive things about the unproven Brissett.
The Patriots didn’t ask Brissett to do much against the Dolphins. Garoppolo is expected to return week four.
BRISSETT’S CONFIDENCE: Brissett didn’t seem consumed by the moment with Garoppolo going down.
“Jacoby’s a rookie that doesn’t have any game experience, and yet when he went into the game. he had good poise and composure and managed the situation well initially”, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said. “I love you and I will always be a Pat for life”, he said.
I really need to call out Chris Long, he was all over Miami and is wicked fun to watch; he tackled for two which included Tannehill, recovered a fumble in the first quarter and tipped the ball on the Dolphin’s final drive and he was involved in three of four of Miami’s turnovers. I didn’t feel like he was rattled on the sideline when it was his opportunity to get in there.
“We’ve got to coach better and we’ve got to play better”, he said.
RETURNING RECEIVER: The return of DeVante Parker gave the Dolphins’ offense a boost. Gronkowski has been dealing with a hamstring issue and also missed the opener. He made a good play on that play. “You see some of the plays he made – the one handed catch on the takeoff – so we’re just scratching the surface with him. We just have to keep him healthy and on the field”.
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The defense – despite giving up some yards and points late in the game – looked great, all should be right with the world in New England right?
