thoughts on New England’s 25-14 snoozefest against Carolina The Carolina Panthers destroyed the New England Patriots 25-14 and it wasn’t even that close. The Patriots didn’t look like they cared Brandon Bolden Jersey , which is fine since it’s the preseason, but they also didn’t look like they could have executed if they were trying, which is not fine.Here are my quick takeaways after the game.The Patriots defense was awful in the first halfWhen the Patriots starters were on the field, the Panthers gained 77 yards, 58 yards, 7 yards, and 59 yards. The three extended drives resulted in field goals for Carolina. It’s great that they tightened up in the red zone Womens Dont'a Hightower Jersey , but the Patriots first team defense spent the first half getting gashed every which way by the Panthers offense. Carolina waltzed their way up the field over the first 10 minutes of the game with four third-down conversions. Then they gained 28 yards on consecutive plays on their second drive. And then they ran the hurry-up to score right before the half. They were able to move however they wanted by running the ball, passing to receivers, or passing to their tight end. Bill Belichick won’t be too happy.The Patriots offense was also awful in the first halfThe Patriots went three-and-out on their first drive, stalled inside the red zone on their second drive and settled for a field goal, and then gained a mere 44 yards on 14 plays before Stephen Gostkowski pushed his field goal attempt wide. That was the Patriots entire first half. Tom Brady was accurate enough, but his receivers weren’t able to get open down the field. Julian Edelman dropped two passes, while Chris Hogan had 1 catch for 10 yards. The tight ends didn’t catch any of their 3 targets. Mike Gillislee and Jeremy Hill gained a weak 28 yards on 11 carries (15 of those yards came on a single Gillislee carry http://www.patriotslockerroom.com/authentic-jonathan-jones-jersey , meaning they averaged 1.3 yards on their other 10 attempts).It wasn’t their best performance.Phillip Dorsett looked really good!Dorsett was one of the lone bright spots in the first half for the Patriots as he collected all 4 of his targets for 36 yards. Those catches included 16 yards on 1st-and-10 and a 6-yard gain on 4th-and-3. He looked quick with the football in his hands and he was able to contribute on short passes- a sign of development after only really being a deep ball target in 2017.With Julian Edelman suspended for the first four games of the year, Dorsett really has a chance to be the Patriots leading receiver, which is kind of a scary thought- but is closer to reality than anyone could have projected last year.Here are some young players that look to be in the running for playing time:Keionta Davis started on the defensive line opposite of Deatrich Wise Jr. and they’re likely to be the top defensive ends behind Trey Flowers and Adrian Clayborn. Derek Rivers is likely to get a year to prove himself. Ja’Whaun Bentley got some playing time behind Elandon Roberts, but both seem like strong bets to make the roster.Eric Rowe started opposite of Stephon Gilmore and should be the presumed starter.On offense, Dorsett was the only youngster that really made any strong claim. Here are some veterans looking in from the outsideThe Patriots sprinkled in some Eric Decker didn’t play until the second half, and while Cordarrelle Patterson played in the first half with the first team, he was also playing late into the fourth quarter.Jeremy Hill suffered an injury that could hand a roster spot to Mike Gillislee. Hopefully it’s not serious.Offensive linemen Luke Bowanko Rex Burkhead Jersey , Brian Schwenke, and Matt Tobin were all playing in the second half and will have a hard time making the roster.Will Tye did not make the most of his opportunities, getting blown away as a run blocker and not pulling down his target opportunity.Marquis Flowers was playing behind both Roberts and Bentley, which should be slightly concerning since he hasn’t played much this preseason.Jason McCourty was with the second-team cornerbacks opposite of Keion Crossen. Cyrus Jones was the slot receiver. We could be looking at a top five of Gilmore, Rowe, McCourty, Crossen Womens Donald Trump Jersey , and either Jonathan Jones or Cyrus Jones. Daily news and links for Wednesday"TEAM TALKPatriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Rodney Harrison and Leon Gray set for July 29. It’s free! /Save the date.Paul Perillo tells us everything we need to know about new Patriots 4th-round draft pick QB Jarrett Stidham.Paul Perillo tackles this week’s Patriots Unfiltered Q&A: Power running, QB plans, TE depth and more.Patriots Foundation now accepting nominations for 2019 Myra Kraft Community MVP awards program.Press Pass: Kyle Van Noy (video) and Rex Burkhead (video)Undrafted Patriots discuss making the team: David Andrews, Brandon Bolden and James Develin discuss going undrafted and what making the team means to them. (1.41 min. video)Patriots Unfiltered: Harrison to Patriots HOF; Recent rookie free agent signings and which has the best chance to make the team. (2 hour audio)LOCAL LINKSSean T. McGuire catches up with David Andrews, on how the Patriots are working hard, not resting on their laurels, and how it’s been like that since he got here after the Pats won SuperBowl XLIX.NBC Sports Boston notes Kyle Van Noy made a few things clear to the media yesterday: He hasn’t lost a step http://www.patriotslockerroom.com/authentic-jordan-richards-jersey , he’s ready for the new season and he wants to win again.Sean T. McGuire reports Kyle Van Noy has made his presence in New England, and is among those showing no complacency this offseason.Andrew Callahan relays Kyle Van Noy on why he’s still driven by the ‘bust’ label early in his career.Ryan Hannable makes the case that acquiring Kyle Van Noy is one of Bill Belichick’s greatest deals with Patriots.Andrew Callahan notes Rex Burkhead can see the difference in Sony Michel already, in the way he’s grasping the playbook and the offseason program.David Latham (LastWordOnSports) Patriots X-Factors: Demaryius Thomas - Isaiah Wynn.David Latham (LastWordOnSports) New England Patriots roster prediction 1.0.Andrew Callahan talks about how the Patriots offense had ‘big tells’ in Super Bowl LIII.Darren Hartwell NFL Rumors: Patriots to sign Jared Veldheer after OT’s free-agent visit.Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Veldheer could be the Patriots’ first of a secondary slate of FA signings.Max Datz (LastWordOnSports) 2019 NFL regular season schedule: Toughest stretch - AFC East.Ryan Hannable highlights WEEI guest Rodney Harrison discussing being named to the Patriots Hall of Fame and how he believes Rob Gronkowski will be back playing in the NFL.Patriots Beat Podcast: Mike Petraglia and Alex Barth discuss Rodney Harrison’s selection to the Patriots Hall of Fame and why he’s an all-time Patriot. (28 min.)NATIONAL NEWSAndy Benoit (SI) The inside story of the Rams’ Super Bowl defense. /Good read.Dave Archibald (Inside the Pylon) Answering questions about the N’Keal Harry pick.Albert Breer (SI) Why it’s a very important day for the remaining NFL free agents.Joel Corry (CBS Sports) Agent’s Take: Let’s take a look at the contracts 2019 first-round picks are expected to sign.Mike Freeman (Bleacher Report) 10-Point Stance: Solution to NFL’s Tyreek Hill problem is clear.Danny Kelly (The Ringer) The best player and team fits from the 2019 NFL draft.Kristopher Knox (Bleacher Report) Every NFL team’s undrafted free agent most likely to make the roster. Patriots: NC State WR Jakobi Meyers.NFL Experts (ESPN) Answering the 2019 draft’s biggest questions: Our picks for Offensive Rookie of the Year.Shalise Manza Young (Yahoo! Sports) NFL announces London academy that will combine football training with education and life skills.Julia Limitone (Yahoo! Sports) The real reasons why NFL players go broke.Erik Pederson (Yahoo! Sports) ‘NFL: The Grind’: Epix teams with NFL Films for weekly series launching in the fall.Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Joe Namath hasn’t had a drink since his embarrassing moment on live TV.EXTRACURRICULARMike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Doctor-shopping could be affecting concussion settlement. /NFL prefers league-approved doctors.Dan Greene (SI) The XFL: A second-chance league and its not-my-first-rodeo commish.Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Prosecutors make bizarre claim against Robert Kraft’s lawyers.Report (AP) Prosecutors accuse Robert Kraft’s lawyers of lying in court.