So for these preseason games, I am going to key in a few things I'm looking for tonight. It could be a player or a group of players or a type of play, what have you, this is what I am looking for:
Ryan Mallet: Surprised this is my top pick? Then you don't understand my man-crush on Ryan Mallet. At 6'7" he is that new breed of taller QBs we are starting to see. He has all the physical tools you could possibly want, including a rocket arm, and is a coach's son (something Belichick loves). With the lockout last year, he was a little over his head at times in the preseason last year, so this year, with a full offseason under his belt, I want to see what he can do. Once Belichick came out and said he had been making "great strides," my excitement started for this preseason.
The Rooks: Chandler Jones, Donta Hightower, and to a lesser degree, Tavon Wilson: I can't wait to see Jones and Hightower out there flying around. I want to see how Jones can handle himself, and I am expecting big things after that comment by the Saints LTJermon Bushrod. For Hightower, I am not looking for anything in particular, but would like to see some of this thump that I have been hearing about from the beat reporters. For Wilson, I want to see how he handles himself back there, and also how they use the 'Big Nickel' defense with him.
Stevan Ridley: Ridley has distanced himself from all the other running backs onto the roster, and has seemingly looked even better than he did last year. He was great in limited reps last year and averaged 5.1 yards per carry. If he can keep that number up while bringing his carries from 87 to around 200, this season will be a resounding success for him (as that would bring him past the 1,000 yard mark). What I want to see is someone that looks like number one running back, with the confidence (and ball security) to match.
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