PATSNUTme

Other players have fumbled, even in key situations, and have not been benched. So, why did Gabe get benched?

We probably will never know so here is my speculation. I think that coaching staff noticed how he was carrying the ball after a reception. I think that he was told about it and told to change it. I think that he was being watched and reminded in practice.

But, on that play he reverted back to his old ways and that is why he was benched. I really can't think of any other reason.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

BelichickFan

I don't have a clue. God knows Faulk must have been told to quit fumbling but they keep putting him out there. Last year's Denver game was the last straw for me with him. I guess we'll see on Sunday with Gabriel. Will he be out there or will Gaffney.

Tunescribe

There had to have been a significant history behind it, a very serious history I would think. But even then it doesn't make much sense (on the surface at least) to bench one of our top wideouts for the rest of the game. It'll be interesting to see how much he plays this week or if Gaffney gets more reps in his place.

5 Rings for Brady!!

My theory remains that it was essentially a try out game where Belichick worked everybody into the game on both sides of the ball and didn't rotate players in or out during the actual game quarters but stuck with personnel groups. He gave Gaffney a look as well as Gabriel.

But if he truly benched Gabriel, than it was a cumulation of this week and last week. After all, Gabriel hasn't been too productive lately, along with the entire offense.

I really haven't seen any evidence to suggest that Belichick did anything other than try all his personnel packages in the one game they thought they could get away with it.

PATSNUTme

I believe that Gabe has had 24 catches 340 yards and 3 TD's. That is being as productive as Branch is in Seattle.

MoLewisrocks

No way I buy the trying out the groupings (or early season rope a dope) theory. This was a division game with troubling consequences in the absence of a W. And BB has never taken any opponent lightly.

My best guess would be that Gabriel while talented perhaps doesn't get the significance of the precision and discipline this offense also demands. He made a few comments about a month ago that led me to believe he thought the degree of difficulty argument wasn't resonating with him. He did after all come up in the Raiders system which was basically that guy behind center is gonna throw it up and your job is to go get the ball. That's a talent trumps system attitude that just isn't gonna fly here - even it you are making some plays as a result.

5 Rings for Brady!!

Lately, as in since the Colts game.

I think Belichick was trying to play everybody to see who works best. I seriously doubt that Gaffney has won the job over Gabriel.

I seriously think that he will be playing again next week, even if he needed some bench time to think about what he may be doing wrong.

He is a hard worker, and if he needs to be corrected once in a while, he will get it straight.

PATSNUTme

It was noticable watching the replay that Gabe was carrying the ball high and away from his body. Not in a good position to protect the ball.

But, I don't know if this was a habit for him on Oakland. But carrying the ball that way is not what BB wants, I'm sure of that.

5 Rings for Brady!!

He has been doing that all year. So it could be annoying the coaches.

Perhaps his lack of production these last two games is a result of Brady not looking to him as much. Brady doesn't care for it when players don't know their routes. Brady is usually on the same page as the O.C. about the WRs running sharp routes.

I think they must have felt that Gaffney earned an opportunity or they wouldn't have felt okay to bench Gabriel in the middle of the game. That was why I felt that they were trying out some personnel changes on offense. I can't believe that Gaffney would be out on the field unless they felt comfortable that he would do alright in Gabriel's place. I don't think it was entirely spur of the moment decision making, but more of a pre-emptive strike. The immediate cause may have been the fumble, but I would think that they have been watching Gabriel and Gaffney closely in practice.

I doubt that they just decided to bench Gabriel out of the blue after the fumble, with no pre-meditated back up plan.

belichickaholic

It could be as simple as belicick implementing a new rule to cut down on the fumbles. If you fumble your out of the game, no matter the opponent or the score. Fumble and your done till next week.

I don't remember seeing dillon playing after he fumbled in the Indy game. I could be wrong though. But I don't remember seeing him in there.

Just a theory.