Bill Belichick got his first look at players in real game action as the Patriots hosted the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots won the game in the end 7-6 and take on the Philadelphia Eagles on August 20th in preseason game number two.

Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe spoke with 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Toucher & Rich about the performance of Chandler Jones, the injury to Dane Fletcher, Brandon Spikes, Deion Branch, Nate Solder and Tom Brady.

Defensive end Chandler Jones, New England’s top draft pick at 21st overall, was one positive thing everyone could look at from that game. After he was drafted people said that he was a little undersized in terms of strength and that he was going to take a little while to develop in the NFL and now we saw him go up against a very legitimate left tackle and a had success.

“He really did well and this is something we saw building throughout training camp. He’s done very well in his one-on-ones against the Patriots offensive linemen to this point, he’s showed speed, he’s shown strength, that as you said a lot of people didn’t quite think he had yet, and he’s been getting more and more reps with the first team throughout camp.”

Are the Patriots waiting to see how Jones does in the preseason before they make a decision on Andre Carter?

“I’m not sure if one is tied to the other, if it is then I think they won’t be calling Andre.”

Dane Fletcher left the game with an injury, it’s being said that it’s a torn ACL. Generally how long would that keep a player out for, is that a season ending injury? Shalise believes that Fletcher will miss the entire season and even if he doesn’t he won’t be much help.

“We’ve seen it in player after player, even if they were able to come back. If they played into February, if he was able to come back there’s just still so much you lose.”

Plus what’s going on with Brandon Spikes, will Deion Branch be on this team come September and Nate Solder’s poor performance.