Spikes Downgraded?!

https://twitter.com/FieldYates/status/404630738685161472

what is going on with this team? Basically 9 of 11 expected starters from beginning of season out or hurt

bigballas said:

https://twitter.com/FieldYates/status/404630738685161472

what is going on with this team? Basically 9 of 11 expected starters from beginning of season out or hurt

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If he doesn't play tonight it won't have that big of an impact I expect to see us spend the entire game in a nickel or dime formation.

assuming the winds are what's expected, wouldn't you expect bronks to try to run a bit more? thats where a loss of Spikes would hurt us....our run D looks very vulnerable

The benefits of him in there against Denver's shaky run game are vastly outweighed by the horror show that would be Spikes in coverage tonight.

This team is just cursed. They really are...amazing

If there is a game that Spikes won't be needed as much it's this one. Great run stopper and intimidator, and a pretty good blitzer, but I actually expected Fletcher to get the bulk of the reps inside tonight. It hurts more if Belichick wanted to go 3-4 but that's the breaks. I guess it is time for Bueharnois to step up.

bigballas said:

https://twitter.com/FieldYates/status/404630738685161472

what is going on with this team? Basically 9 of 11 expected starters from beginning of season out or hurt

Click to expand...

Maybe its my imagination but this team seems to be hit with more injuries on a regular basis than any other team i can think of for years now. Especially when the SB is on the line.

Fixit said:

The benefits of him in there against Denver's shaky run game are vastly outweighed by the horror show that would be Spikes in coverage tonight.

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Well in response to "What's your prediction for tonight's game?" Spikes just tweets "PAIN!"
I don't know if that means his knee or he plans on inflicting pain to the Donkeys.

Knowshon Moreno has 4.0ypc with Thomas, Decker, Welker, and Thomas lined up on the field with him. Even Maroney got 4.5ypc in the 07 offense; this kid sucks.

Denver averages 3.6ypc, 28th in the league. I'll welcome more runs by Moreno/Ball.

Fletcher is a better coverage guy so I guess this isn't horrible...?


I'm grasping for straws at this point

I wouldn't read too much into the injury report. Seems like BB randomly puts guys as questionable sometimes.

Let's look at this logically.....if the wind is as bad as they say it is going to be the long ball is a crap shoot at best. Manning never really threw a good long ball and his latest version look more like wounded ducks. Their O is predicated on the short passing game, Spikes is a liability in that. The drop off to Fletcher in the run stuffing vs the pickup in the coverage of short routes is a positive. I think if the Pats dominate on both sides of the ball in the rushing game tonight they win this game. Dominate rushing for the O keeps Peyton off the field, dominate rushing D makes the 2nd and 3rd down passing scenarios harder to pickup.

Good thing I packed both Gronk and spikes's jerseys... Game time decision...

Froob said:

I wouldn't read too much into the injury report. Seems like BB randomly puts guys as questionable sometimes.

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sure...but he was probable on friday. game day downgrades aren't typical

bigballas said:

sure...but he was probable on friday. game day downgrades aren't typical

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Which is why it sounds like he wont be playing

The knee injury was known Monday night.

Since they likely would rather give him some healing time against the Donkos, they need to make his status reflect that, so the bookies... I mean for the integrity of the game, of course.

Froob said:

I wouldn't read too much into the injury report. Seems like BB randomly puts guys as questionable sometimes.

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bigballas said:

sure...but he was probable on friday. game day downgrades aren't typical

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Yes, the concern isn't that he's questionable. The concern is that he went from probable to questionable on game day. Even worse this actually coincides with Jeff Howe's report earlier in the week that he may not play due to the knee injury.

As we know, knee injuries aren't necessarily guaranteed to allow the player to return the next game either, so it'll be something to keep an eye on. Hopefully he only misses one game, because we certainly can't afford to lose anymore important players.