Who will be the *one* key to a SB push?

[tombonneau]

If you could choose one player who could power the team to a SB push by turning his game up to All-Pro level (with everyone else pretty much playing at the level they are currently at), who would it be?

Personally, I think that that player is Brandon Meriweather.

If he can start making big plays in the secondary and helping the entire unit out with an All Pro performance, I think that goes a long way to making this defense SB caliber.

Alternately, I think a sneaky pick would be Jarvis Green, as if he suddenly turned it on and the Pats had a legit DL to consistently pressure the passer, that would be huge; however, I think this scenario is far less likely.

 

[DaBruinz]

I think that the one KEY player going forward is going to be Rosie Colvin. If he can hit his stride as the play-offs come, then I think its a good chance that the defense clicks like we're used to and we see a lot more of what we expect.....

 

[Lifer]

If you could choose one player who could power the team to a SB push by turning his game up to All-Pro level (with everyone else pretty much playing at the level they are currently at), who would it be?

Personally, I think that that player is Brandon Meriweather.

If he can start making big plays in the secondary and helping the entire unit out with an All Pro performance, I think that goes a long way to making this defense SB caliber.

Alternately, I think a sneaky pick would be Jarvis Green, as if he suddenly turned it on and the Pats had a legit DL to consistently pressure the passer, that would be huge; however, I think this scenario is far less likely.

Very interesting thread...

Richard Seymour, if he played at his very highest level is one.

Always Randy Moss, if he was a 9-120-3 receiver every week.

And Cassel, of course.

 

[ALP]

brandon is a good choice, so is hobbs...

if hobbs turns into the champ bailey of old, or the asomugha of today, and also gets like 1 int a game, i would like our chances much better

 

[Lansdowne]

I think the X-factor could be Jonathan Wilhite. The secondary may get a major boost if he continues to play like he did last week.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I would like to see what our young rookie sensation Mayo can do when rushing the passer - He seems to have been relegated to just making tackles - We need more QB pressure up front to protect our poor secondary

All the front 7 needs to step it up if you want to be technical

 

[tombonneau]

I would like to see what our young rookie sensation Mayo can do when rushing the passer - He seems to have been relegated to just making tackles - We need more QB pressure up front to protect our poor secondary

All the front 7 needs to step it up if you want to be technical

I agree with this 100%. They had one game a few weeks ago where they were sending him up the middle to great effect, but that was the first and last I saw of it.

 

[ernie_adams]

The key to a SB run always comes back to the play of your QB but I like the post......I think "other" than Matt Cassel the guy who coulld charge this team to a SB run is Ellis Hobbs. The reason being is that not only is Ellis going to be locked up with the other teams premiere receivers but he also has the opportunity to effect the game on special teams. How many times have we seen a game swing on a big special teams play? Especially in the playoffs where "teams" play is so important in the field position battle and setting up easy scoring opportunites.

 

[BradyManny]

I echo DaBruinz's sentiments of Rosie Colvin. If by some miracle he could play at the level he was playing at last year before the injury, our defense would be in OK shape. I can't reiterate enough that this defense - for all the whining about it throughout the year - was playing nearly at the same level as it was last season (only giving up 2 points more a game) UNTIL Adalius Thomas went down. That's been the key.

But on the offensive side, I gotta say it's Matt Cassel. If he keeps playing at the high level he's been playing at, then our offense is still explosive enough that it is going to score between 20-30 points a game, and against bad defenses, 30+ - which puts us in every game. (The difference of course being that last season, our offense was good enough to WIN every game. But I'll take being in contention at this point.)

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

Tony Romo.

Okay, he is not on the Patriots but if he can step up big time and beat the Ravens it would go a long way to helping the Patriots win the SB.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I wish you had asked the question as the "one" key player on each side of the ball, becuase I think that the only answer is Cassel if I'm limited to one overall. If Matt isn't playing at a very high level, I just don't think we would have any chance to get into the Playoffs let alone thru the next five weeks and to Tampa.

That said, on D, I like the argument that Seymour is the one proven game breaker left in that lineup on that side of the ball. If he is playing at his highest level, he can literally take over a game in the fourth quarter. Of course, a couple of timely INT's by Merriweather and Hobbs would be nice as a Stocking Stuffer...

 

[scout]

It has to be someone on defense, and the secondary would be the biggest influence. Wilhite is a good candidate, tho the line might help with some pressure on the qb. One thing is for sure, we are not going anywhere with our red zone defense no matter how good the offense is.

 

[tombonneau]

I wish you had asked the question as the "one" key player on each side of the ball, becuase I think that the only answer is Cassel if I'm limited to one overall. If Matt isn't playing at a very high level, I just don't think we would have any chance to get into the Playoffs let alone thru the next five weeks and to Tampa.

That said, on D, I like the argument that Seymour is the one proven game breaker left in that lineup on that side of the ball. If he is playing at his highest level, he can literally take over a game in the fourth quarter. Of course, a couple of timely INT's by Merriweather and Hobbs would be nice as a Stocking Stuffer...

See, I agree with the poster above that it *has* to be someone on defense. My reasoning being, the offense is currently playing well enough to win a SB. No one on offense really needs to raise their game. Sure, it would be nice, but I just don't know that any one player on offense -- even Cassel -- could raise their play to All Pro level and make up for the current state of the defense.

An argument could soundly be made for Cassel or Moss, but I really think finding that one All Pro "straw that stirs the drink" on D would be more impactful.

 

[pao]

If you could choose one player who could power the team to a SB push by turning his game up to All-Pro level (with everyone else pretty much playing at the level they are currently at), who would it be?

Personally, I think that that player is Brandon Meriweather.

If he can start making big plays in the secondary and helping the entire unit out with an All Pro performance, I think that goes a long way to making this defense SB caliber.

Alternately, I think a sneaky pick would be Jarvis Green, as if he suddenly turned it on and the Pats had a legit DL to consistently pressure the passer, that would be huge; however, I think this scenario is far less likely.

This is secondary to the HC but I'd pick Matt Light. His coming back is going to be huge.

 

[Halifax_Pats_Fan]

You know it is unfortunate, or not real realistic to think Matty can take us to the SB.

Don't get me wrong I would love that more than anything but for someone who has not started since highschool to get an NFL team to the SB, I mean that is a lot to ask.

I think the JMD will be the key person in creating and modifying the offense to score points. Put the players in position to win.

I will be pulling hard for Cassel, and would be psyched if he gets this team to the SB.

I mean can you just imagine...

 

[JSn]

According to Reiss, neither Light nor LeVoir are at practice today. Yikes...
That ONE player might have to be reserve Olineman.

Aside that, I think Wilhite or Hobbs (or both) need to get scary asap.

 

[BionicPatriot]

Wilhite and Hobbs can get scary maybe by making a face, but chances are they wont be too effective without pressure.

I don't expect this year's Colvin to step up big. I don't think we have a LB left on this roster on the outside that can rush the passer. We have to pray to the lord somehow, in a 3-4, our DL can create massive pressure or something. I really don't see another way.

 

[Dagg]

Tony Romo.

Okay, he is not on the Patriots but if he can step up big time and beat the Ravens it would go a long way to helping the Patriots win the SB.

Hoodie beat me to it.

 

[Lansdowne]

Tony Romo.

Okay, he is not on the Patriots but if he can step up big time and beat the Ravens it would go a long way to helping the Patriots win the SB.

That's a damn good answer there.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

According to Reiss, neither Light nor LeVoir are at practice today. Yikes...
That ONE player might have to be reserve Olineman.

Correction per Reiss--LeVoir was there.