Patriots vs Broncos Week

[Brady_to_Moss]

What, exactly, do you mean by this statement, NEP?

Obviously, they are both TEs. Are you speaking to Graham's softness at the position, therefore "only" considering him a receiver in theory?

Jimmy considers himself a WR..not a TE. And I agree. His tittle may be a TE..but he is split out so much..can't block etc..Hybrid TE/WR

 

[supafly]

Jimmy considers himself a WR..not a TE. And I agree. His tittle may be a TE..but he is split out so much..can't block etc..Hybrid TE/WR

I agree that he's soft in his blocking skills, which is why some may not see him as a traditional TE.

Of course, the same exact thing could be said for our own Tim Wright, Julius Thomas, etc--but they are still technically TEs.

He tried the old "I'm a WR" argument for the franchise tag purpose, but he lost. A TE is a TE--no matter how soft he is in the blocking game. At least that's how I see it.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

I agree that he's soft in his blocking skills, which is why some may not see him as a traditional TE.

Of course, the same exact thing could be said for our own Tim Wright, Julius Thomas, etc--but they are still technically TEs.

He tried the old "I'm a WR" argument for the franchise tag purpose, but he lost. A TE is a TE--no matter how soft he is in the blocking game. At least that's how I see it.

I think the point is, how many TE's do you consider both a receiving threat and a player that can block a DE/OLB effectively (not chipping, but straight up man to man). The forum has covered this point in the past and I think you know what he meant (but figured I would clarify).

Though you are certainly technically correct, but we can all agree that Gronk is a complete TE and there's not a team in the league that couldn't benefit from his presence (and that would even include the Saints).

 

[New England Pride]

What, exactly, do you mean by this statement, NEP?

Obviously, they are both TEs. Are you speaking to Graham's softness at the position, therefore "only" considering him a receiver in theory?

What I mean is that that if they put talib on Gronk, we can run him over in the running game. That wasn't something New England had to worry about in the New Orleans game last year. Bill just schemed against him like he was an oversized slot receiver, which he basically is. No disrespect to Graham, obviously he balls, but there's a dimension of his game that he lacks.

 

[RIpats88]

gronkowski is alot more physical than Jimmy Graham. I think Gronk would just run over talib. But on th other hand, if they want to put talib on edelman/lafell then the TE's/RB's should have a big game in the middle of the field given the OL gives brady time.

the emergence of LaFell and the return of Gronkowski has really made this a "pick your poison" type of team

 

[pwes]

Oh My God we get Walt Anderson

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-...60/walt-anderson-referee-for-patriots-broncos

 

[skspikex2]

Oh My God we get Walt Anderson

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-...60/walt-anderson-referee-for-patriots-broncos

So now breathing near Manning will considers roughing the passers-by now.
Would take the ref on the Chicago game in a heartbeat.

 

[slash83]

With the ugly weather on Gameday, play tight man coverage and make manning try and zip the ball through the wind into tight coverage.

 

[The Brandon Five]

Oh My God we get Walt Anderson

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-...60/walt-anderson-referee-for-patriots-broncos

 

[pwes]

The only good thing I can say is he doesn't seem to call a lot of DPI so Manning lobbing it up hoping to get a DPI to move them down the field seems less likely to happen.

 

[Belichick8384]

Weather's gonna be pretty cold and wet on gameday, as it stands now. Manning has thrown 6 INTs in a game before in the rain (vs Chargers). While I doubt he'll throw that many, especially since he's been playing outdoors the past few years, I think there may be some blunders for the Broncos.
However, I'm worried about the PATS' ball control especially with Steven Ridley... I know most of the team knows how to handle a ball in the rain but they have a lot of young players on the team particularly on receiving. Another thing I wonder about is the O-line. They have been playing better, but to be fair they weren't exactly up against very good defenses either. It'll be interesting to see how they will stand against an improved Broncos defense. The PATS haven't quite found a solid lineup for the O-line, which worries me, and I hope they can settle on a definitive lineup. We can't be having any fumbled snaps against a defense like the Broncos'.

I have a bad feeling the defense is going to have to win this one for them. With the injuries, and the way the secondary allows deep balls this year so far, I'm really hoping they can pull this one out and maybe use the weather to their advantage.

 

[JMC00]

especially with Steven Ridley

Uh

The PATS haven't quite found a solid lineup for the O-line,

Haven't watched these past 4 weeks have you? The OL's play has been solid.

and the way the secondary allows deep balls this year so far

What?

 

[Belichick8384]

I'm talking about how many times they keep changing the lineup of O-line. They haven't come up with a definitive line up. They're swapping players around every week. And like I said later on in my post, they haven't been up against very good defenses either. Well, except KC and we all saw how that went.

And if they're allowing deep throws by Alex Smith and Kyle Orton, then what makes you think they'll be able to stop Peyton Manning throwing deep to his weapons? Sure, against the likes of Smith and Cutler they did well. But how will they fare against a QB like Manning? I guess only gameday will tell...

 

[Bruins29]

I'm worried about the PATS' ball control especially with Steven Ridley....

I am sorry. Why do you think this is an issue?

 

[Belichick8384]

If its rainy, they have a lot of young players at receiving and though Ridley doesn't fumble as much as he did 2 years prior to this year he will still be having the ball in the rain. Not to mention the other running backs like Grey and White whom I haven't seen play in the elements really.

 

[Bruins29]

and though Ridley doesn't fumble as much as he did 2 years prior to this year he will still be having the ball in the rain..

I disagree. Ridley is not going to fumble. Would you like to put some money on it?

 

[patsfanincleveland]

If its rainy, they have a lot of young players at receiving and though Ridley doesn't fumble as much as he did 2 years prior to this year he will still be having the ball in the rain. Not to mention the other running backs like Grey and White whom I haven't seen play in the elements really.

Dude

Ridley is on..........injured reserve. It happened three weeks ago.

The Patrots are the only team in the NFL not to allow a pass go for over 40 yards.

You must be a Jets fan plant sent from JI or theganggreen.

 

[Bruins29]

Belichick8384 can not be a Patriots fan. You cant be. Its insulting to the forum if you are.

 

[Belichick8384]

Okay, you're right. Ridley won't be playing. I was obsessing. I know how he plays in weather so...

I think those young receivers could be problematic, and I don't think Denver is going to let Brady throw to Gronk and Eldeman all night. He's going to have to try hitting those younger guys. I do think, though, that the receiving lineup looks better this year than last year...

 

[Bruins29]

Okay, you're right. Ridley won't be playing. I was obsessing. I know how he plays in weather so...

I think those young receivers could be problematic, and I don't think Denver is going to let Brady throw to Gronk and Eldeman all night. He's going to have to try hitting those younger guys. I do think, though, that the receiving lineup looks better this year than last year...

Ahhh yes, the myth of Ridley's fumbles. Apparently they are so bad he can do if from his couch.

Also, now you are babbling about young receives?? What young receivers? You take out Gronk and JE which you just did and your next two guys are a 27 year old and a 28 year old. So what are you talking about?

Dobson hasn't played and I guess you could call Tyms young at 25 in his 3rd year. But he really isn't much of a factor.

Sure, Tim Wright is young at 24 but he also has the surest hands on the team by far. So he would be the least of the concerns.

I think you are just throwing out a lot of nonsense.