Injuries and our roster - can we still win the Super Bowl?

[makoute]

Assuming that when the season started, and before all the injuries we were a Super Bowl team, let's look at the team now that we have lost 3 of 5 and don't look anything like we looked after started the season 10-0. Here is the complete injury status - Football Injury News and Analysis - Rotoworld.com

RB - Blount, Lewis. Blount's replacement, Steven Jackson in his prime would have been a major upgrade over Blount but he is 3 or 4 years past the magic 30-year running back "cliff", so it is a big question mark how much he has left. Lewis was a special player when he was healthy but James White is an adequate (if not equal) replacement.

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Sorry to say, but White has not been an adequate replacement, and no where near equal to what Lewis was getting. He simply has been dreadful as a running back, as a wide receiver he has been good. Unfortunately, he is listed and was drafted as a running. Anytime he is touched he goes down.



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[primetime]

Steven Jackson is 32 years old. Just sayin'.

And is totally rested. The cliff isn't some magical thing, it has to do with how much beating a running back's body takes over his career and then over an individual season. Fred Jackson, who didn't carry the ball much until his late 20s, didn't experience the cliff until he was 34, and even then is a serviceable player still. That doesn't mean you're getting the Jackson of the mid-2000s, but it does mean that he may have some jump left in his step that he would not have had they signed him in training camp. Look at DeAngelo Williams, same age as Jackson albeit with slightly less wear on the tires, but playing extremely well right now.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

If Edelman, Amendola, Gronk, Hightower, Chung, McCourty, Vollmer, all play as expected (and stay healthy) then yes, without question.

it's not about health only. there is another component that people are overlooking and that is even if these players come back, how effective will they be? it's important to have continuity and chemistry. that's what worries me the most.

 

[PatriotsPimp136]

it's not about health only. there is another component that people are overlooking and that is even if these players come back, how effective will they be? it's important to have continuity and chemistry. that's what worries me the most.

Exactly. That's why i am hoping edelman plays some snaps against miami if he can give it a go.

 

[BTTA]

If Edelman, Amendola, Gronk, Hightower, Chung, McCourty, Vollmer, all play as expected (and stay healthy) then yes, without question.

I don't think anyone knows if Edelman will play in the playoffs at this point, including Edelman. He needs to put extreme pressure on that part of his foot to find out, and there's no way that's happened at this point in the healing process.

 

[PatsDeb]

If the Patriots can get everyone back from injury, they can win their 5th Lombardi trophy. No doubt in my mind. When healthy, the Pats are as good as anyone in the league.

The question for me is, can they actually do this? Coming back from injury often takes the best of players some time to get back into top form. I am worried that it's going to be too little too late. However, the team is doing everything they can to stay in it and win it. They are not going to quit and will give it their all. They will go for broke in the playoffs. I just hope it's enough.

 

[The Brandon Five]

And is totally rested. The cliff isn't some magical thing, it has to do with how much beating a running back's body takes over his career and then over an individual season. Fred Jackson, who didn't carry the ball much until his late 20s, didn't experience the cliff until he was 34, and even then is a serviceable player still. That doesn't mean you're getting the Jackson of the mid-2000s, but it does mean that he may have some jump left in his step that he would not have had they signed him in training camp. Look at DeAngelo Williams, same age as Jackson albeit with slightly less wear on the tires, but playing extremely well right now.

Frank Gore and Darren Sproles are also 32.

 

[JJDChE]

No, we absolutely cannot win. Not because of injuries, but because our opponents are so fierce. During the bye week, the Patriots players will be sitting at home cowering and praying for a painless loss in the divisional round to a far superior foe, whether it be KC, Pittsburgh or the dreaded Jets. We're doomed.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMEEEEDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!

 

[venecol]

I don't think anyone knows if Edelman will play in the playoffs at this point, including Edelman. He needs to put extreme pressure on that part of his foot to find out, and there's no way that's happened at this point in the healing process.

That's a good point. Everyone seems to think JE is a shoo in for Week 17 and certainly for playoffs. He's been seen jogging and taking passes but I have not read a thing about his actual progress.

I do expect most of the key guys back for playoffs and Pats having another run at it. Is it normal for this late in the season to have openings in the roster and PS?

 

[QB12]

We've shown the mental toughness and grit, even in defeat, of our championship teams, and certainly similar to what BB reflected upon that he saw in KC last year.

 

[sieglo]

The offensive line is the biggest concern.

 

[QB12]

The offensive line is the biggest concern.

If our O-line protects Tom, we win #50.

 

[PatriotsPimp136]

That's a good point. Everyone seems to think JE is a shoo in for Week 17 and certainly for playoffs. He's been seen jogging and taking passes but I have not read a thing about his actual progress.

I do expect most of the key guys back for playoffs and Pats having another run at it. Is it normal for this late in the season to have openings in the roster and PS?

Well without him it would be even tougher. Team hasn't gotten as much from lafell. Amendola's ok but he is not edelman. I hope martin keeps getting better

 

[BadMoFo]

We have injuries? I wish we'd post more about them.

 

[brdmaverick]

We certainly have a shot, but a Lombardi is no lock even without injuries. I mean think about it, last year the Patriots were as healthy as any team can hope to be in the playoffs and yet we were still within 1 yard of losing.

Injuries only add to the degree of difficulty. (obviously)

 

[NE_Zealot]

Nobody scares me on the AFC side of the puzzle. If the Pats get bodies back they should be fine.

The team that has my attention is the AZ Cardinals. They dismantled a playoff team at home while terrorizing the 2nd best QB in the game. They sacked the dude EIGHT times and brought two strip-sacks to pay dirt. Their WR corps is scary good. They are headed into the post-season hot.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I really can't think ahead to the SB. It makes my head hurt. I have to see how the Pats are playing and how the team that comes out of the NFC is playing. But, does a healthy Patriots team have a reasonable chance if they get that far? Yeah, I think they do. If they aren't healthy, the question is moot, as they won't be there.

For now, "We're on to Miami"

I feel OK about their chances at Home against QB's who haven't been in the playoffs, as long as Amendola, Edelman, Chung, McCourty and Vollmer are "really" healthy. I liked what I saw of Jackson on Sunday and I think they can patch together a big time effort at Home. That's why "I'm on to Miami."

Assuming they take care of business on Sunday and are healthy:

I'm most nervous about the Chiefs.

They will not lose twice in a season to the Jets and nearly beat them in their own house with half a team last week.

They also had the Broncos beat in their house and gave the game away, with a lot of help from the Officials. So, I'm feeling good about that matchup.

They beat Houston in their dome and I'm confident they'd beat them in Foxboro in January.

For some reason (and this might be "famous last words"), I'm not worried about the Bengals...in Foxboro.

Pittsburgh and an experienced Roethlesberger had me most nervous.

 

[FourierSeries]

it's not about health only. there is another component that people are overlooking and that is even if these players come back, how effective will they be? it's important to have continuity and chemistry. that's what worries me the most.

The chemistry won't be an issue at all. No player knows this offense better than Edelman (except for Brady) and no one has more chemistry with Brady than he does. The only issue will be coming back from the injury itself. That will probably take a bit of time to get adjusted to, but I predict that it won't be as long as people expect. I'm very confident he will contribute a lot to this offense upon his return.

 

[FourierSeries]

I don't think anyone knows if Edelman will play in the playoffs at this point, including Edelman. He needs to put extreme pressure on that part of his foot to find out, and there's no way that's happened at this point in the healing process.

Edelman won't miss the playoffs.

 

[JJDChE]

Edelman won't miss the playoffs.

Are you saying he will play through a broken foot if he re-breaks it when he finally takes the field? I'm gonna have to disagree there.