Ian Clark on Football: 108-yard TD run sets pace for Pats rout of Jets

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – HOW'S THAT for openers?

The New England Patriots pounded AFC East rival New York by a 38-14 score to open the 2007 season yesterday at Giants Stadium. The game was close at the half, but a record-setting 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Ellis Hobbs lit a powder keg and the Patriots exploded.

"I think we set the tempo for this season," said Patriots offensive tackle Matt Light. "Obviously, it's important to come out and play well early and sustain that for four quarters. I think it was a total team effort."

The game was 14-7 with the Patriots on top to open the third quarter. Hobbs took the kickoff on the run deep in the end zone and just about everyone wearing Patriots blue was telling him to down the ball for a touchback.

"I tell those guys all the time, even in practice, 'I'm bringing them out,'" Hobbs said. "I never want to leave the field with a 'what-if' factor. I understood the danger of taking it out deep. One false step and I could have been a zero. But I ended up being the hero."

Hobbs cut toward the center of the field and got through the mass of players, breaking away on the left sideline to etch his name in the record books ahead of Roy Green from St. Louis, who busted a 106-yarder in 1979.

Wide receiver Randy Moss caught nine passes for 183 yards and a touchdown in his New England debut yesterday. (AP)

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On offense, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had a field day with his new receivers, especially Randy Moss. Brady completed 22 of 28 passes for 297 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions for a lofty rating of 146.6. The offensive line was solid all day, giving Brady plenty of time to throw and not surrendering a sack.

Moss' Patriots debut could not have gone much better. He caught nine passes for 183 yards and a touchdown. His 51-yard TD catch in the third quarter was a thing of beauty from the entire offense.

The play began as a play-action fake handoff from Brady to running back Laurence Maroney, who stepped up in blitz pickup to give Brady a huge pocket. Brady stepped into the throw and hit Moss in stride. All Moss did was beat triple coverage on the play to make the grab and waltz into the end zone to make it 28-7.

"It was a good read by Tommy," Moss said. "I read the defense. The corner was down and the safety was back to the right so I came all the way across the field. Tommy had faith in me, believed in me and we had good protection."

Brady also looked to Wes Welker often. Another new addition, Welker caught six passes for 61 yards and the first touchdown of the season. Overall, seven different players caught passes from Brady.

"The way this offense is drawn up, the ball's going to get spread around a lot," said Donte Stallworth, who caught one pass for 19 yards in his Pats debut. "We've got some guys on this team that can make plays. Tom's going to find the open guy."

As for the New England ground game, it was good enough to provide the needed balance but was nothing extraordinary. Maroney finished with 20 carries for 72 yards (3.6 average) and Sammy Morris added 11 tries for 54 yards (4.9). Fullback Heath Evans added a late one-yard touchdown run.

Defensively, the Patriots were superb on run defense but struggled to stop the Jets' short-range passes when the linebackers were called on to cover. Overall it was a strong effort, however, as New York managed just 227 net yards and were only 4-for-11 on third downs.

The New England players were no doubt pleased with the effort, but to a man they reminded everyone that this is just one step in a long walk.

"It's just beginning," Maroney said. "It ain't like we won the Super Bowl yet or won the championship. It's the first game."

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Game Graded and Side Stories

PATRIOTS MVP: How about a co-MVP for Brady and Moss? Despite not playing in the preseason and missing significant practice time with a leg injury, Moss made it look like he and Brady were career teammates.

Brady made excellent throws, used his ample pocket time to find the open man and then delivered precise throws. Moss used his size to go up, over and around over-matched Jet defenders. If this is just the tip of the iceberg, then consider the rest of the league as the doomed Titanic.

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THUMBS UP, THUMBS DOWN: Defensive end Jarvis Green filled in with a strong starting effort in place of the injured Richard Seymour. Green held the point of attack against the run and recorded two sacks. Linebacker Mike Vrabel had seven tackles and 2 1/2 sacks on the day.

Wide receiver Kelley Washington did not catch a pass but played well on special teams with three tackles and a forced fumble. Washington's special teams skills are likely what helped him beat out Reche Caldwell for a roster spot.

Thumbs down to linebacker Rosevelt Colvin, who struggled in coverage and completely lost Laveranues Coles on a seven-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter. Colvin also failed to record a single tackle.

Another downer to backup QB Matt Cassel, who botched a field goal hold and got tackled with the ball. Lonie Paxton's snap was on-target. Cassel just bobbled it.

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PACK A LUNCH: Even with the deep threats of Moss and Stallworth, the Patriots were surgical and patient with their offensive possessions. New England put together scoring drives 12, 9, 5 (Moss' long TD), 17 and eight plays in length.

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WELCOME WELKER: New slot man Welker scored his first Pats touchdown on his 100th career reception. It was just the second career touchdown for Welker, who is entering his fourth NFL season.

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ALL HANDS ON DECK: Probably a result of the 84-degree temperature (which felt warmer than that), the Patriots used every single active player on the day, often sending multiple players in and out on a play-by-play basis.

Ian M. Clark covers pro football for the New Hampshire Union Leader and Sunday News. His e-mail address is iclark@unionleader.com.