Patriots’ Rookie TreVeyon Henderson Finds End Zone AGAIN

It seems as though the fans were right in their assessment of the New England Patriots second round pick TreVeyon Henderson. It took just two drives in the team’s preseason Week 2 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings for the rookie to find the end zone for the second straight week.

Last week Henderson put a jolt in the entire New England fan base when he returned the opening kick off of the season 100 yards to the house.

Today Henderson found the end zone in a more traditional way. It came on the ninth play of the team’s second drive. On third and four from the eight yard line, Henderson took the stretch handoff to the left side, hesitated in the backfield before accelerating off the back of the zone block from rookie tackle Will Campbell and breaking a pair of tackles while powering on to pay dirt.

It was the rookie’s fourth carry of the drive. They also turned to him on a third and long, running a simple inside zone play that Henderson took for 11 yards to put the team in striking distance.

Another impressive outing from the second round gem.

Mike Vrabel Plays Two Drives With The Starters

It was clear Mike Vrabel was not happy with the way his team looked in this week’s joint practice sessions with the Vikings. Reports coming out of camp detailed the ways in which the experienced Vikings team exposed a lesser-so Patriots unit.

Perhaps as a response to his team’s performance this week, Vrabel elected to play the starters for a second straight week.

Four out of the five starting offensive lineman were in action, Drake Maye was under center, and Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte headlined the receiving unit.

On the defensive side of the ball, Super Bowl champion Milton Williams started the game head up on the Vikings center. Carlton Davis saw his first action as a Patriot in the first drive as well, with Robert Spillane and Harold Landry headlining the linebacker unit.

Though the head coach never explicitly said he planned on not playing the starters, his decision to roll them out for a second drive seemingly confirmed the suspicion.

Last week the one’s only took the field for one drive. This week, after a punt in the opening drive of the contest, Vrabel rolled the ones back out. Perhaps to say ‘prove that you deserve to come out’.

After the second drive touchdown, Josh Dobbs took over the offense.

Antonio Gibson Gets The Start In The Backfield

Analysts have discussed how Antonio Gibson fits into this new Patriots offense. With Rhamondre Stevenson adopting the role as bell cow running back, and TreVeyon Henderson clearly gaining vlaue in the passing game, the sixth year back seemed like he was at the ball without a dress.

However, with Stevenson out today with an undisclosed injury, Gibson got the start in the backfield over Henderson. It wasn’t until a clear passing situation in which Henderson entered the game.

Gibson also got a majority of the red zone carries on the day, perhaps carving out a role as the short yardage back. At six-foot-one, the tail back has demonstrated an ability to get into the end zone over his career.

Though it is not clear how, it is clear that his Patriots team plans to utilize the 27-year-old that was once thought to be buried in a busy backfield.