3 winners, 3 losers from Patriots’ preseason win over Titans
Patriots Tight Ends (LOSERS)
The New England tight ends, as a whole, missed a wonderful opportunity to show what they were capable of on Saturday. Whether it was the recently-acquired Lance Kendricks – who has plenty of experience starting for quality teams like the Rams and the Packers – or less-proven options like Andrew Beck or Ryan Izzo, the position left much to be desired in Nashville over the weekend.
The opportunity was certainly there for the taking as well. Matt LaCosse, whom many believe will be the Patriots’ Week 1 starter against the Steelers, missed the game while nursing an ankle injury. Benjamin Watson could also be New England’s starter eventually, but he’s going to miss the first four games of the season while serving a suspension. Stephen Anderson has also missed time while dealing with an injury.
Add it all up, and the timing was ideal for Kendricks, Beck, Izzo, or someone to step up to the plate and try to help offset the massive production lost in Rob Gronkowski’s retirement. Yet none of those players rose up to the challenge, with each only accounting for one catch apiece.
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The Patriots have to be thrilled with the embarrassment of riches they have at running back and now at wide receiver entering the final two weeks of the preseason. They also look primed to showcase one of their strongest defenses in decades, and their quarterback depth chart is the envy of the league. It is only at tight end that this team continues to look extremely vulnerable… at least until someone proves otherwise.