Gold Stars, Penalty Flags: Brady, Gronk & Edelman Leading Patriots' Offensive Charge
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots have hit their bye week undefeated, sporting a perfect 3-0 record to start the season.
This is a scenario that many people likely predicted for New England's start of the season, especially when we found out Tom Brady was allowed to play.
There have been some obvious Gold Stars throughout the first three weeks, but I've added some newcomers to the mix. Enjoy the down time for now, because it is a long haul from here on out.
Gold Stars -- Offense
- I think it's safe to say Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman all get gold stars. You know their stats and what they have meant to pacing the offensive attack.
Gronk has become the biggest mismatch in the league. His catch radius is about 7-foot-2 and his aggression is caveman-like. Gronk is one of the few tight ends in the league who doesn't have to come off the field, as he is equally important to the Pats in the passing game and running game.
Edelman is far and away Tom Brady's favorite target. Not only has he developed into a great wide receiver, he simply moves the chains. Jules gets after the ball. Screen plays, short routes or fly patterns, his game is grab the rock first and then pick up the yards after the catch. He is well on his way to another 100-catch campaign.
Brady is rewriting the record books every time he hits the field. What players bring to the game in athletic ability, Brady brings that and more in mental toughness. He's simply out-thinking opposing defenses before he even snaps the ball. He's back on top with his latest title and Brady is scorching the earth beneath him for anyone trying to make that climb. He may be the best leader in any sport going right now.
With that trio out of the way, let's hand out some more offensive gold stars:
- Name the players on the Pats offensive line. Did you have trouble? Well, you are in the same boat as the three teams the Pats have faced.
Nate Solder has been a staple and Marcus Cannon and Sebastian Volmer have done what they are supposed to do. But rookies David Andrews, Tre Jackson and Shaq Mason have stepped in and kept that line moving. I know the scheme has been quick passes, and that's helped the trio, but they have been solid in the run game and all have avoided crippling penalties. Plus, they've kept Brady standing upright and his uniform clean, and that is what's most important.
- Dion Lewis is more than a welcome surprise to the New England offense. The back has been strong between the tackles and even stronger catching the rock out of the backfield. I understand he's fumbled twice and lost one of them, but the fact he was back out there right away and not missing a beat means something. Belichick and the Patriots coaches like him. He's slippery and his style is a great compliment to Legarrette Blount's hard-nosed running.
Gold Stars -- Defense
- Jamie Collins and Chandler Jones have been a dynamic duo for the Patriots defense.
Collins' name is starting to get national praise and he may not be able to hide anymore. He's turning into a star. It seems like he's recording double-digit tackles in ever game, and now he's adding sack totals to the mix (Collins is second in the league with 3.5 sacks). Since New England took him in the second round in 2013, his teammates have said that he is a freak athlete. We are seeing more and more of that every Sunday. One thing that often goes unnoticed with Collins is he rarely misses tackles; if he gets his hands on you, you are more likely than not heading to the ground.
Meanwhile along the edge, Jones opened the year with a flurry and he hasn't stopped. Maybe the rotation fits him, but he's turning into the pass rusher the Pats have been looking for. Jones has gotten better at stopping the run and he's healthy. Plus, he's having fun. He loves the game and being out there on the field. You can see it in his game and it transfers to other players on the Pats defense.
- Jabaal Sheard has been everything the Pats thought he would be. He's gotten better at stopping the run and has helped beef up the Pats defensive line, which was needed with their weaker secondary. Sheard is fitting right in with Chandler and Rob Ninkovich; he was a perfect signing for the Pats defense over the offseason.
Penalty Flags
- What is the deal with Aaron Dobson? One week he comes out and looks like he's finally ready to surface from witness protection (seven catches in Week 2 vs. Buffalo) and then he goes back to his old self (one catch on three targets in Week 3 vs. Jacksonville).
Why won't he catch the ball with his hands??? He did it in college and we got a glimpse of it in against Buffalo, but then last Sunday he was back to making those same basket catches that end with the ball on the ground. He has talent, but it's not consistent. The Patriots need to lock him in a room and have him watch tapes of Deion Branch over and over. Maybe then he'll learn how someone attacks a ball that's been thrown to him.
- This is a minor penalty flag but I was expecting more from Scott Chandler. It's still early and he has time to find his way, but as much as the Pats have been in the red zone I expected to see more catches on the tight end's behalf. He could still be feeling his way around, but some team is going to successfully slow down Gronk and Chandler is going to be needed. They should try to get him going early.
- Jerod Mayo gets a penalty flag. After two injury-plagued seasons this is what we have from Mayo: A slow start and a low snap count.
This could be a blessing in disguise, but I'm just so used to seeing him lead the defense when he's out there. That is not the case right now; three games in and he has just three solo tackles. That's not the Mayo we are used to seeing. Tuesday's pickup of Jonathan Bostic could mean even less Mayo going forward.
- I am waiting to see something special from Malcom Brown. This is another small penalty flag. He's a rookie, but I thought his athleticism would jump off the page. It hasn't yet.
Brown has just been okay, and I was hoping for more than that.
Follow Levan Reid on Twitter @LevanReid.
