fillylabinga

I know this will be discussed in threads elsewhere, but I think it deserves it's own: how huge is the Neal activation? And will he actually play tonight?

I think O-Line injuries may be the most overlooked in terms of importance. The downgrade from Brady to Cassell is obviously the biggest change from last year, but I have these memories of early in the season when Brady would just sit in the pocket patting the ball for what seemed like ages before picking apart the defense. I have a feeling that even Cassell would look good behind a line like that.

But the line really hasn't been the same this year. I don't know how much of it is because of Yates, but from my limited view he hasn't looked too good. Kaczur is still out, but I actually thought LeVoir played pretty well last week--maybe he's an improvement too.

And I haven't even mentioned the impact on the rushing offense--Neal's specialty is supposed to be pulling/running game.

Anyway, could this be fresh start we needed for the O-line to turn things around?

ALP

maybe neal will be the glue that sticks this line together...

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AzPatsFan

Everybody forgets that Neal went down early in th Giants Superbowl. And Hiochstein who was dinged up himself, came in to play for him. We know what happened then as Kevin Faulk then got hurt, so the RB blitz pickup, got weaker.

IMHO Neal is the best pulling Guard in the NFL. He si much less accomplished as a drive run blocker and he can sometimess be beat on the pass rush, but by and large he can tie up and wrestle with DL rushers, as well as any Guard.

PATSYLICIOUS

WELL if last night was any indication, it's pretty damn big!!!

captain stone

Anyone would be better than Yates. There's a reason that he not only went undrafted, but didn't come close to even a draftable grade by any scouting service: because he sux.

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DaBruinz

Troy Brown, Terrell Davis, Kurt Warner, and Adam Vinatieri (just to name a few) all say hi and to please stop knocking UDFAs because even they can turn out good.

drew4008

I would say Mankins is better at pulling. Did you see him on that Moss bubble screen? He hit his block perfectly and held on for an unheard of amount of time and then smoked him to the ground at the end of it. That was the best downfield block I have seen in ages.

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Patjew

Didn't Troy get drafted in like the umpteenth round? I didn't know he was an UDFA.

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Patjew

I'd say it was PFB.

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DaBruinz

Yes he did.. I forgot... but he was also cut by the Pats originally... It was also extremely late when I wrote that post so I claim tiredness as my excuse