Razing Arizona no sweat for Patriots

August 20, 2006|Globe Staff

FOXBOROUGH -- Points. Time remaining. Down, distance, yard line. Timeouts.

And, of course, advertisements for any company that will fork over the cash to buy the space. That's what you find on the scoreboard at Gillette Stadium. Note, there isn't room for excuses. So whether Deion Branch is in uniform or not, the Patriots' offense has to figure out a way to score touchdowns. New England did that last night, as it rolled to a 30-3 victory over Arizona.

With an improved defensive effort compared to the exhibition opener, the Patriots looked as if they are beginning to take shape after three weeks of hard work in training camp. Branch is holding out in hopes of getting an improved contract, and while his presence could mean the difference between a solid team and a title contender, the Patriots showed they are able to make plays with those on hand.

Eight players had receptions in the first half, as New England scored on three of its four possessions, and Tom Brady finally led the team to a touchdown after having to settle for field goals on his first three possessions of the preseason.

A week ago, the Patriots' pass offense looked shaky, as wideouts struggled to get open and dropped passes against the Falcons. This week, even Rich Musinski, a very long shot to make the team, had a touchdown catch.

Stephen Gostkowski, a rookie from Memphis who is trying to win the placekicking job against veteran Martin Gramatica, was good from 37 and 33 yards to give the Patriots a 6-0 lead after one quarter. Second-year receiver Bam Childress submitted the top play of the second drive, hauling in a 29-yard pass from Brady along the right sideline, over the Cardinals' Adrian Wilson.

Childress drew the start with Troy Brown sitting out the first half. It appeared that Brady would play just two possessions, but he returned to the game in place of Matt Cassel during New England's third drive, then led the Patriots' to a touchdown on their next possession.

Reserve running back Kevin Faulk keyed the march with a pair of runs totaling 21 yards. Corey Dillon finished it with a 4-yard run. The Patriots had four tight ends on the field on the scoring play, as Benjamin Watson and Daniel Graham were on the line, with David Thomas in motion and Garrett Mills at fullback. Dillon followed the blocks of Thomas and Mills, both rookies, off the left side. Gostkowski added the extra point to give the Patriots a 13-0 lead with 1:14 left in the half.