FOXBOROUGH, Mass.—In one half Thursday, the New England Patriots' defense took all the optimism it had built up over two preseason games and tossed it right in the garbage.
With No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford(notes) making his cheap nfl jerseys first start, the St. Louis Rams drove up and down the field on the Patriots secondary. Bradford was 15-of-22 for 189 yards with two touchdowns, facing little resistance from the defensive backs.
Rookie cornerback Devin McCourty(notes) appeared outclassed by receivers Donnie Avery(notes) and Danny Amendola(notes), while Darius Butler(notes) and Leigh Bodden(notes) gave far too large of a cushion.
Safeties Brandon Meriweather(notes) and Patrick Chung(notes) rarely stuck to their receivers, and the pass-rush didn't bother Bradford.
It was a poor effort that would make any coach scratch his head.
On the other hand, special teams offered a glimmer of authentic nfl jerseys hope after a frustrating 2009.
Brandon Tate(notes) took the opening kickoff 97 yards, showing the speed that made him the nation's best returner as a college player. His next return was for 43 yards.
— SN correspondent Ian R. Rapoport covers the Patriots for the Boston Herald
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