FOXBORO — It could be said last night’s preseason finale against the Giants was a meaningless tune-up before the upcoming regular season.
And though the 28-20 final score in favor of the Patriots is ultimately worth nothing, the playing time rookies and bubble players got meant something given the looming roster cut to 53 players tomorrow.
For Ryan Mallett, it was his chance to shine. The rarely used backup quarterback started last night’s contest with Tom Brady and most of the starters getting the night off. Barring anything crazy, it’s most likely his last chance to show he has what it takes to be an NFL quarterback.
He responded, leading the Patriots twice down the field for scores in the first half, including a 40-yard strike to Josh Boyce. The 25-year-old finished 10-for-16 for 117 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
“I felt good,” Mallett said. “I felt in command of the offense. I made a few plays. Missed a few that I should have made, but that just comes with playing more.”
For Tim Tebow, it was an opportunity to show he has what it takes to play in the NFL. When the Patriots were down 20-14 in the fourth quarter, the former Heisman Trophy winner brought the team back with a 52-yard catch-and-run touchdown pass to Quentin Sims.
Tebow threw a second 9-yard score to Sims in the waning seconds, leaving him 6-for-11 for 91 yards despite being sacked four times and intercepted once. Sims had a game-high 72 yards on three catches.
“Tim, he had the boo birds out the play before and then he comes back and throws a touchdown,” Mallett said. “It just shows what kind of player he is.”
Tebow also rushed for 30 yards.
Then you had Adrian Wilson, trying to show he still has something left. The 13-year veteran started at safety alongside rookie Duron Harmon and played on special teams. Wilson, who wasn’t available for comment after the game, was in for the majority of the contest, along with the second- and third-team rookies. He finished with two tackles.
He wasn’t the only veteran out there. Running back Leon Washington, in his eighth year, had a highlight with a 43-yard punt return in the second quarter to set up the TD pass from Mallett to Boyce.
Washington did, however, fumble a punt in the third. He said he thought he had a good preseason, but never looks too far ahead when cut day is coming.
“That’s one thing about football. We receive so much glory when we do well. But when times when guys get an injury or guys get released, it’s real life,” Washington said. “For me, being an older guy in the locker room, I try to explain that to a lot of young guys. Have a backup play and take this approach seriously. And just keep fighting.”
Defensively, seventh-round pick Michael Buchanan led the way, finishing with 21⁄2 sacks, and 2012 third round pick Jake Bequette had a strong game off the line of scrimmage.
“I made a lot of improvements,” Buchanan said. “I think I have a good grasp for my job on this defense and some of what my role on this team may be. I think technique-wise and just overall everything, I think I’ve made some improvements, but I still have a long way to go.”
The Patriots ended the preseason on a high note, finishing 3-1. But reality sets in tomorrow when 22 players are let go.
“It’s tough, but all the guys understand,” Washington said. “We know what we signed up for.”
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