Pats will steamroll Fish

[TruthSeeker]

Wasn't that the game where it is pretty much accepted that BB was intentionally throwing the game to get a more favorable matchup in the playoffs?

Yes, it was.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Since this weeks game is a meaningless game its no big deal but I would hope this is the LAST thread saying we will destroy the opponent

...it seems like bad luck to me

 

[dex13]

Woody is close to 1000 all-purpose yards. Needs 93 yards more and I'm hoping he gets them.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Woody is close to 1000 all-purpose yards. Needs 93 yards more and I'm hoping he gets them.

Thats a big deal. Another amazing achievement for a kid who was praying for a chance somewhere, got it and is grabbing it by the horns.

 

[Tunescribe]

What I'm curious about -- and I doubt anyone has enough inside info to give an answer -- is whether the Pats will actually game-plan much against Miami. In other words, will they treat it like a preseason game and put all their resources into preparing for prospective playoff opponents? It will be especially interesting to see what BB does with personnel. I'd be surprised to see first-teamers go the full game, but BB might stay with them as long as the outcome is in doubt to keep the winning/60-minutes mentality. It's not like it was three years ago when there was the undefeated season to gun for and the Brady/Moss records. It's really hard to guess how BB will approach this one.

 

[Michael]

MVP?

Most Valuable

Dog killer? Sure.

And don't get me started on comeback of the year. :rolleyes2:

 

[pdangle]

It's really not that difficult to predict IMO.

Winning the game is a non-issue so starters, critical veterans and hi-injury-prone positions or players, or players with nagging injuries, will play less than usual. Start, sit, or how much they play less, depends on many factors.

The youngin's will play for experience. Anyone coming off injuries and game ready, will also play to get some reps.

How long the starters play depends on the game score, time and MIA intensity, which is a lot less predictable at this point.

Despite the lip service, winning the game is a non-issue, Health is. So BB will do his best to mitigate the injury risk. So may say he might try to blow them out early and/or play less of a bruising style, but I've never seen BB do that. Out of respect, and lack of any reason not too, he'll play to win with the players he keeps in the game.

So if I had to guess, overall, I'd say the Pats end up playing this game at about 65%-75% peak efficiency, so to speak. Or about 25%-35% less PT than average based on all starter/sub package minutes this season.

 

[PatsDeb]

What I'm curious about -- and I doubt anyone has enough inside info to give an answer -- is whether the Pats will actually game-plan much against Miami. In other words, will they treat it like a preseason game and put all their resources into preparing for prospective playoff opponents? It will be especially interesting to see what BB does with personnel. I'd be surprised to see first-teamers go the full game, but BB might stay with them as long as the outcome is in doubt to keep the winning/60-minutes mentality. It's not like it was three years ago when there was the undefeated season to gun for and the Brady/Moss records. It's really hard to guess how BB will approach this one.

They were saying on the radio that instead of a regular practice, the Pats just had an extended walk-through today. So, I'd say the answer is no, they are not game-planning much against Miami (maybe they are going to use the Buffalo game plan? Lots of running game?). Brady was there for the walk-through, though and did not miss Wed. like he usually does. So, I would guess, they did not game plan much and are now game planning for our other possible playoff opponents; the starters will play, at least for some of the game, just to keep the fires warm, but we will see a very basic offense and defense, and probably featuring more of the running game.

 

[pdangle]

What I'm curious about -- and I doubt anyone has enough inside info to give an answer -- is whether the Pats will actually game-plan much against Miami. In other words, will they treat it like a preseason game and put all their resources into preparing for prospective playoff opponents? It will be especially interesting to see what BB does with personnel. I'd be surprised to see first-teamers go the full game, but BB might stay with them as long as the outcome is in doubt to keep the winning/60-minutes mentality. It's not like it was three years ago when there was the undefeated season to gun for and the Brady/Moss records. It's really hard to guess how BB will approach this one.

Good question. I'd say they will game plan for MIA, just because too many variables on who they play and the bye week for any needed preparation. I'm sure the scouting of these opponents will begin in earnest for sure. But I'm of the mind that BB leans toward teaching and letting the young D (and some O) execute the aforementioned game plan.

But now I'm wondering if BB will throw some new wrinkles (either real or as a gambit) in on O or D, but especially D, to give our next opponent more things to think about during preparation. I wouldn't put it past BB to set up our next opponent into looking one way, just to burn them in another.

 

[jmt57]

Take your pick on today's injury report:
Tom Brady Participates in First Wednesday Session in Three Weeks - New England Patriots - NESN.com
It Is What It Is - Pats injury report: Tom Brady limited, Tully Banta-Cain out with flu
Flu hits Banta-Cain; Brace hurts elbow - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Connolly and Wright still did not practice due to their concussions.
Brace is over his concussion but now has an elbow injury that he must have been getting treatment for, as he did not participate in the walk-through.
TBC was out with the flu.

Cunningham, Branch, Hernandez, Brady and Pryor were all listed as having limited participation; McCourty and Arrington were on the injury report with full participation.

 

[JSn]

I saw an article today discussing whether the Jets would rest Sanchez. ESPN article, I believe. Bruschi chimed in about the Pats and said with a bye-week, the Starters play. Too much risk of rust if they rest easy for two weeks. If it really bothers anyone, I'll try to find the link.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

What I'm curious about -- and I doubt anyone has enough inside info to give an answer -- is whether the Pats will actually game-plan much against Miami. In other words, will they treat it like a preseason game and put all their resources into preparing for prospective playoff opponents? It will be especially interesting to see what BB does with personnel. I'd be surprised to see first-teamers go the full game, but BB might stay with them as long as the outcome is in doubt to keep the winning/60-minutes mentality. It's not like it was three years ago when there was the undefeated season to gun for and the Brady/Moss records. It's really hard to guess how BB will approach this one.

Yeah, I'm very curious to see what he does. My guess is he'll play to win, and he'll be pushing for the win for the young kids sake. I don't think we'll do anything new or exotic, but against Henne, we shouldn't have to. I expect the starters to play into the second half unless they're already banged-up.

But you never know with BB. The game is meaningless as far as play-off scenarios go, but I'm really interested to see this game, even more than the Bills game somehow

 

[goheels22002]

The guess the score contest should be very interesting this week. I think the Pats want this one just to keep the home streak rollin'.

 

[JeffChicago23]

Yeah we will, and maybe only for a half if we have them pretty much beaten I think BB pulls out the starters I dont think he wants deja vu from last year a la Wes Welker.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

Yeah we will, and maybe only for a half if we have them pretty much beaten I think BB pulls out the starters I dont think he wants deja vu from last year a la Wes Welker.

Wes was hurt in the first quarter of the Texans game, so if he's concerned about anyone, I doubt they play at all.

 

[JeffChicago23]

Wes was hurt in the first quarter of the Texans game, so if he's concerned about anyone, I doubt they play at all.

True that but I dont think BB will place his backups to start it doesn't seem like BB at all he is aggressive and I can see them playing a half but not on the bench for 60 minutes.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

True that but I dont think BB will place his backups to start it doesn't seem like BB at all he is aggressive and I can see them playing a half but not on the bench for 60 minutes.

I know what you mean. It's a really tricky situation. I could see them going the full 60 just because it's a young team. But after what happened to Wes last year, I could see him going the opposite. I'm not even sure BB has made up his mind yet, or if he has, I don't think he's told the players since they keep telling the media they want to play.

 

[WhoaDirty]

I saw an article today discussing whether the Jets would rest Sanchez. ESPN article, I believe. Bruschi chimed in about the Pats and said with a bye-week, the Starters play. Too much risk of rust if they rest easy for two weeks. If it really bothers anyone, I'll try to find the link.

Wouldn't it be amazing if they rested Sanchez and steamrolled a team because of the back-up QB?

 

[Tunescribe]

Wouldn't it be amazing if they rested Sanchez and steamrolled a team because of the back-up QB?

That would be fun. Get a quarterback controversy started going into the playoffs. :rocker:

 

[CheeseMonkeys]

Vick for MVP is a joke. I'm sick of hearing about how great he's been playing. The only reason everyone thinks he's so great is because he's worked his way back up after losing his place in the NFL.