How well did New England Patriots rookie linebacker Gabe Jacas play in the team’s 13-13 preseason tie against the Indianapolis Colts?
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter gave Jacas a “C” for his performance against the Colts, citing his pugnacity as a double-edged sword that came with his play on the night.
“Gabe Jacas showed hustle Thursday night in his 25 snaps on defense,” Reuter said. “The outside linebacker took down Anthony Richardson on the sideline after flushing the quarterback out of the pocket in the first quarter. Jacas was in on a run stuff, as well. His quickness off the snap flummoxed right tackle Jalen Travis, and the rookie squeezed the pocket with a speed-to-power bull rush. However, Jacas did not get much direct pressure on Colts quarterbacks, and Indianapolis used his aggressiveness against him with misdirection plays.”
Jacas recorded five total tackles on the game, but did not produce in any other area against Indianapolis.
The Illinois product showed encouraging signs when rushing the passer, but ultimately looked like he had a level of play that he just did not reach in accordance with his talent level, which he will get the chance to do in the Patriots’ next preseason matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel admitted Jacas has to improve, but he is also encouraged by the young edge rusher's willingness to take what he's learned and put it to action.
“I think that it needs to be better. It was better on Saturday [in practice] than it was in the game," Vrabel told reporters, via WEEI. "We pointed some things out to him in the game, and I thought it was really cool of him to make those corrections.”
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: NFL.com's grade for Patriots rookie Gabe Jacas' performance vs. Colts