Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire

It is preseason game number one. Not much planning went into this one so do not expect a lot. What I am looking for more than anything else is how the Patriots will use personnel and what base plays they will run on offense and what base fronts and coverages they will run on defense. 

Defensively, I will be focused on fronts and pressures. I do not think we will see much tonight but the expectation is, the Patriots will be more aggressive under DeMarcus Covington. 

The new kick return will be the primary focus tonight as we get our first look at new special teams coach Jeremy Springer and the new kick return alignment. 

Normally we would present our offensive and defensive game plan for this game but it is the preseason, we will save our specific game plans for the regular season. 

The biggest thing I am watching tonight is offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and how he calls a game. I want to get a feel for the following:

1. How he utilizes personnel.

2. His commitment to the running game and how he uses it to set up play-action. 

3. How often he throws on early downs, especially boots and nakeds. 

4. Is he aggressive? Is he willing to take shots, especially in plus territory. 

5. What will the screen game look like? West Coast offensive coaches are all well versed in the screen game.

Finally, I want to see how Jerod Mayo manages the different situations that come up in his first game as the head coach. It is a preseason game. I do not expect him to be overly aggressive but if there was ever a time to set the tone for your tenure on the field, it is a game like this.