Three and Out: New England Patriots - Tim Graham (BSPN)

[JSn]

Three and Out: New England Patriots - AFC East - ESPN

1. Tom Brady's performances should be easing Patriot Nation's anxiety.

So a couple of his passes sailed late in Thursday night's appearance against the Cincinnati Bengals. Not to worry. Perhaps shots delivered by Bengals pass-rushers Keith Rivers and Robert Geathers made Brady a little jumpy, but those are the types of mental hurdles Brady must encounter is his recovery from left knee reconstruction. Brady needed to get walloped. As he needed to find his footwork again after surgery, he must retrain his mind to block out all the disruptions that can remind a quarterback he's vulnerable. Brady's well on his way back to regaining that fantastic pocket poise.

2. Don't count out Laurence Maroney.

The Patriots were deep at running back before they signed accomplished free agent Fred Taylor, who has rushed for 11,271 yards. That acquisition combined led many to believe Maroney, often injured and even more frequently criticized, was about to fade on the depth chart. But Maroney could return to his 2007 role as the featured back. As long as the Patriots boast a variety of skilled runners in their backfield, nobody will qualify as a workhorse. Maroney, however, has enough talent to become the back of choice over Taylor, Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk and BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

3. Tedy Bruschi could have trouble making the team.

The sands in Bruschi's hour glass are down to their last few granules. Reports out of Foxborough seem to be subtly preparing Patriots fans that their beloved inside linebacker is nearing the end of his career. He might not make the 53-man roster unless there's an injury. Bruschi is 36 and can't contribute much on special teams. He has been working with the second-teamers lately in practice and did not start Thursday night's preseason game, stepping aside for Gary Guyton.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Like the great sage Meatloaf said, two outta three ain't bad... We do keep backups and rotational players who don't play on ST and Tedy has in fact been a ST's player for most of his career...they're not all kickers and gunners. Tedy was out due to some injury concerns and just got back to practice last week. That he would be on the second team in week 2 of the PS is not a slam dunk he's headed for retirement. He doesn't need first team reps get acclimated or to show BB what he can do.

 

[Patjew]

I'm thinking he could be 3 for 3. Tedy is my pick for the (not so-) surprise cut.

 

[CrazyDave]

Maroney? Okay.

 

[patchick]

I'm thinking he could be 3 for 3. Tedy is my pick for the (not so-) surprise cut.

If Mackenzie had stayed healthy and looked good, I think it would have been a real possibility. But with him out of the picture and Lenon hurting too, I'd guess Tedy's safe. Otherwise your #1 sub in 3-4 packages is...Alexander?

 

[Mack Herron]

Bru joins Seau on the beach waiting by the phone for the inevitable injury. Meawhile, Alexander fills out the roster at ILB while BB scans the wire for veteran help.

 

[ALP]

if bruschi has declined that much....ill take seau over him in limited time

 

[Patjew]

If Mackenzie had stayed healthy and looked good, I think it would have been a real possibility. But with him out of the picture and Lenon hurting too, I'd guess Tedy's safe. Otherwise your #1 sub in 3-4 packages is...Alexander?

Could Tank take the spot or not so much?

 

[shmessy]

"Perhaps shots delivered by Bengals pass-rushers Keith Rivers and Robert Geathers made Brady a little jumpy, but those are the types of mental hurdles Brady must encounter is his recovery from left knee reconstruction. Brady needed to get walloped. As he needed to find his footwork again after surgery, he must retrain his mind to block out all the disruptions that can remind a quarterback he's vulnerable. Brady's well on his way back to regaining that fantastic pocket poise."

Tim Graham just caused an "Aha" moment for me.

We've all been on Kazcur's back the past few days for so badly wiffing on that sack Thursday night. COULD THAT HAVE BEEN instructed by Dante??????

Why not? I'm completely serious. Might Kazcur have been ordered to take a fall by the coaching staff for the EXACT reasons listed by Graham???

Someone who watched the TV telecast mentioned that Brady and Kazcur were laughing on the sidelines afterward and doing fistbumps - - - could that have been right after Kazcur told Brady that the staff told him to do what he did so that Brady could get this "experience" in PS?????

 

[Deus Irae]

"Perhaps shots delivered by Bengals pass-rushers Keith Rivers and Robert Geathers made Brady a little jumpy, but those are the types of mental hurdles Brady must encounter is his recovery from left knee reconstruction. Brady needed to get walloped. As he needed to find his footwork again after surgery, he must retrain his mind to block out all the disruptions that can remind a quarterback he's vulnerable. Brady's well on his way back to regaining that fantastic pocket poise."

Tim Graham just caused an "Aha" moment for me.

We've all been on Kazcur's back the past few days for so badly wiffing on that sack Thursday night. COULD THAT HAVE BEEN instructed by Dante??????

Why not? I'm completely serious. Might Kazcur have been ordered to take a fall by the coaching staff for the EXACT reasons listed by Graham???

Someone who watched the TV telecast mentioned that Brady and Kazcur were laughing on the sidelines afterward and doing fistbumps - - - could that have been right after Kazcur told Brady that the staff told him to do what he did so that Brady could get this "experience" in PS?????

I think that if Dante told a tackle to let a defensive player go in completely unblocked to tee off on Brady, Belichick would be getting arrested for Dante's murder later on that evening.

 

[farn]

Not saying I'll be blown away... but I see Bruschi on the 53. He is little of what he was in 03-04, but there is room for him here.

BB is not the sentimental kind (see Milloy, Vrabel, Bledsoe), but in 07, when he activated Brown for the final game, I was a bit surprised. I have to think Bruschi is in similar company... he makes the 53 (but if someone lights it up from now until Labor Day, I dunno).

 

[signbabybrady]

Not saying I'll be blown away... but I see Bruschi on the 53. He is little of what he was in 03-04, but there is room for him here.

BB is not the sentimental kind (see Milloy, Vrabel, Bledsoe), but in 07, when he activated Brown for the final game, I was a bit surprised. I have to think Bruschi is in similar company... he makes the 53 (but if someone lights it up from now until Labor Day, I dunno).

For me it comes down to who is better....lets just assume Guyton and obviously Mayo are better...who is the next best ILB in the 3-4???

IMO it is still Bruschi. Its not Alexander and I haven't seen enough of Lennon to say he is better. am I missing someone else on the inside who is better?

OK lets bring both inside and outside into the picture. Mayo, Guyton, Thomas are better but then who...I guess Woods is better and Tully and Burgess(who have seemed more like sub package ends).....thats 6 we will keep more than 6 so again who is better than Bruschi past those 6???


so if Bru is 7 out of Mayo, Guyton, Thomas, Woods, Tully and Burgess that still leaves one or two spots for Alexander and/or Lennon or someone else.

 

[shmessy]

I think that if Dante told a tackle to let a defensive player go in completely unblocked to tee off on Brady, Belichick would be getting arrested for Dante's murder later on that evening.

P-R-E-S-E-A-S-O-N.

And it was GREAT that Brady got plowed - - - for the reasons stated clearly in the Tim Graham piece.

 

[efin98]

I think that if Dante told a tackle to let a defensive player go in completely unblocked to tee off on Brady, Belichick would be getting arrested for Dante's murder later on that evening.

I'm not so sure he would kill Dante as say "don't do it again" and give him a wink and a nod.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I think that if Dante told a tackle to let a defensive player go in completely unblocked to tee off on Brady, Belichick would be getting arrested for Dante's murder later on that evening.

agreed, but the murder would only have taken place after Belichick had removed multiple appendages, slowly.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I'm not so sure he would kill Dante as say "don't do it again" and give him a wink and a nod.

i really couldn't disagree more. BB and Dante have been around the game long enough to know that play in the NFL is full of enough "naturally occurring" hazards without adding intentional whiffs and hits.

 

[shmessy]

I'm not so sure he would kill Dante as say "don't do it again" and give him a wink and a nod.

The wink and a nod would mean "Hey, don't make it look so obvious, would ya".

 

[mgteich]

Bruschi is still a fine special teamer. He is a much better option for #4 ILB and STer than Alexander. That being said, I think that Bruschi is still a best option than Guyton against running teams on running downs.

 

[PatsFan37]

Tim Graham just caused an "Aha" moment for me.

We've all been on Kazcur's back the past few days for so badly wiffing on that sack Thursday night. COULD THAT HAVE BEEN instructed by Dante??????

This is the same Robert Geathers who slammed Trent Green into the turf and gave him a concussion.

Sure, let him through unblocked so he can get a running start before slamming Brady to the turf. I mean really, what harm could it do?

Are you nuts?

 

[BPF]

"Perhaps shots delivered by Bengals pass-rushers Keith Rivers and Robert Geathers made Brady a little jumpy, but those are the types of mental hurdles Brady must encounter is his recovery from left knee reconstruction. Brady needed to get walloped. As he needed to find his footwork again after surgery, he must retrain his mind to block out all the disruptions that can remind a quarterback he's vulnerable. Brady's well on his way back to regaining that fantastic pocket poise."

Tim Graham just caused an "Aha" moment for me.

We've all been on Kazcur's back the past few days for so badly wiffing on that sack Thursday night. COULD THAT HAVE BEEN instructed by Dante??????

Why not? I'm completely serious. Might Kazcur have been ordered to take a fall by the coaching staff for the EXACT reasons listed by Graham???

Someone who watched the TV telecast mentioned that Brady and Kazcur were laughing on the sidelines afterward and doing fistbumps - - - could that have been right after Kazcur told Brady that the staff told him to do what he did so that Brady could get this "experience" in PS?????

He's the story behind Kaczur's supposed "missed" block, from Reiss today: Revisiting the big hit on Tom Brady - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com

Kaczur was asked about the breakdown today at Gillette Stadium.

“It was a communication error on what we were running,” he said in the team's locker room before the Patriots' practice (3:45 p.m.). “We had a draw and thought we were running the ball. Unfortunately, he took a hit on that one, which we never want to see.”