Look for a Big Game for Edelman/Slater This Week

[shmessy]

Combination of fill-in kicker (for the great Nate Kaeding) Nick Novak (who reached the endzone only once in seven kickoffs in the preseasoon before getting cut by the Jets) and the fact that the Chargers ST's were lousy last year and only gave up a 103 TD return in Week One this year.

This could be an area of emphasis for the Pats this week to take maximum advantage.

 

[Timbo717]

Combination of fill-in kicker (for the great Nate Kaeding) Nick Novak (who reached the endzone only once in seven kickoffs in the preseasoon before getting cut by the Jets) and the fact that the Chargers ST's were lousy last year and only gave up a 103 TD return in Week One this year.

This could be an area of emphasis for the Pats this week to take maximum advantage.

This is a good point. Hopefully it'll translate into consistently good starting field position for the Pats, and the ability to pin SD deeper in their zone if we have stalled/failed drives.

 

[RussFrancis]

I think youre on to something here, and I'll definitely be looking for it. I really like how Edelman looked on his returns on Monday, with the exception of the return from the goal line. I think both of these guys were fighting for their roster spot lives this preseason, survivied, and are primed for solid seasons. Nothing would make me happier than for each to shine this Sunday.

 

[borg]

If Volmer plays, I expect a Solder TD. I also think the new Gronk will get lost in the shuffle as well and be open for a couple catches. SD D is tough...and BB needs to get creative. NE only had 210 yds in O last year vs these guys and SD stuffed the running game.

 

[Sicilian]

I hope you're wrong, because I hope the number of SD kickoffs is minimal... preferably only one

Seriously though, it's a good point, and I'm really liking Edelman as a kick returner. Not sure he'll ever break one, but he seems to consistently get past the 30, which is huge with this offense.

 

[patchick]

Seriously though, it's a good point, and I'm really liking Edelman as a kick returner. Not sure he'll ever break one, but he seems to consistently get past the 30, which is huge with this offense.

Edelman does look like a pleasant surprise returning kicks. He's more the natural PR, shifty rather than blazing. But in the pick-a-lane-and-go KR world, he seems to pick that lane more reliably than Tate did.

As for Slater, have you noticed how BB & Caserio tend to drop their bland script and get gushy when his name comes up?

 

[signbabybrady]

I am one of the biggest Slater fans but I find it funny to say big game out of him.

I know he had that nice catch but ideally the talent ahead of him at WR should be doing that work. And you obviously were refering to a big game out of him as a STer.

I also know he is deep on the KR but Edelman is the primary returner (or was week one).

So where exactly does said big game come from?

He could have 6-8 STs tackles and it still would be funny to say Slater had a big game even if it would be true. He could be the lead blocker for 2 kick returns and it would be kinda funny still. He would have to go off in several phases of the kicking game for this to be true and to not sound funny as it is just so rarely said.


I am not saying STers dont have big games I am just saying it is funny to here someone say they did and even funnier to see someone predict they will (returners excluded).


PS. I love the turn around this board has shown for Slater.

 

[JJDChE]

Don't be surprised to see Scifres kicking off. He had two TBs in 4 kickoffs last week.

 

[Snake Eyes]

If Volmer plays, I expect a Solder TD. I also think the new Gronk will get lost in the shuffle as well and be open for a couple catches. SD D is tough...and BB needs to get creative. NE only had 210 yds in O last year vs these guys and SD stuffed the running game.

I get giddy at the thought of Solder lining up as a TE and catching a TD

 

[shmessy]

I hope you're wrong, because I hope the number of SD kickoffs is minimal... preferably only one

Seriously though, it's a good point, and I'm really liking Edelman as a kick returner. Not sure he'll ever break one, but he seems to consistently get past the 30, which is huge with this offense.

Punt returns, baby!

 

[Ochmed Jones]

As a receiver, does Edelman have Brady's confidence?

Right now I think not.

As a receiver, does Slater have Brady's confidence?

Right now I think he does, but only for a limited amount of the route tree.

Solder at blocking TE? Absolutely, huge red zone target.

 

[Haley]

I think their punter will probably do the kick offs, no?

 

[ctpatsfan77]

As a receiver, does Edelman have Brady's confidence?

Right now I think not.

The key thing about Edelman in 2009 v. Edelman in 2010:

2009: When Welker was hurt, Edelman may very well have been the second-best receiver on the team after Moss.

2010: GRONKnandez.

 

[shmessy]

I think their punter will probably do the kick offs, no?

Punt returns are part of the game too, no?

 

[Haley]

Punt returns are part of the game too, no?

You don't make any sense. We're talking about kickoffs not punts.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

The key thing about Edelman in 2009 v. Edelman in 2010:

2009: When Welker was hurt, Edelman may very well have been the second-best receiver on the team after Moss.

2010: GRONKnandez.

True but I also think Brady cut Edleman some slack back then.

Now I think Brady is expecting Edelman to be 100% up to speed and I don;t think Edelman is there yet.

Hernandez/Gronkowski are slowing becoming Brady's security blankets. Cover Hernandez with a LB and Brady will eat that up all day. Cover Hernandez with a DB and that leaves Gronkowski with LB coverage and Brady will eat that up all day.

The next generation has to be nickel coverage in order to cover both TE's, once we see that, then Green Ellis should be able to run wild.

Bottom Line: If we keep Brady clean, he will put up 30 plus points on most any team in the league.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Hernandez/Gronkowski are slowing becoming Brady's security blankets. Cover Hernandez with a LB and Brady will eat that up all day. Cover Hernandez with a DB and that leaves Gronkowski with LB coverage and Brady will eat that up all day.

And teams can blanket both of them if they prefer Death by Smurf.

 

[Timbo717]

I get giddy at the thought of Solder lining up as a TE and catching a TD

There you go. We also could run the ball with Solder as one of two TEs on the left side and go Gronk-Solder-Light-Mankins. Woodhead is so small it'll be like rolling a marble behind 4 Monster Trucks.

(Obviously I'm joking )

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I get giddy at the thought of Solder lining up as a TE and catching a TD

Let's not get all carried away here.

Brady's good, but he can't throw it THAT high.

 

[Sicilian]

There you go. We also could run the ball with Solder as one of two TEs on the left side and go Gronk-Solder-Light-Mankins. Woodhead is so small it'll be like rolling a marble behind 4 Monster Trucks.

(Obviously I'm joking )

I like it better with one on each side of the line. That way you've got an extra blocking BEAST on the left OR right, and the defense can't try to stack against the heavy side.