Injury Reports: why do the Pats always have more players listed than their opponents?

I don't know if anyone has provided an explanation of why, week after week, and season after season, the Patriots always have more players listed on their injury report than their upcoming opponent. Possible answers: (1) Belichick is more honest about his players' status than opposing coaches, (2) Belichick is trying to confuse opposing coaches by making it difficult to game plan for particular players, (3) the Patriots play and practice harder than other teams and really do have more injuries - every week, (4) the Patriot trainers aren't as good as those on other teams, or (5) the Patriots draft slow healers.

It's Belichick basically trolling the league injury rules

The league makes a massive deal out of it if a player says years later that his injuries weren't documented so Bill nips this potential issue in the butt by reporting even hangnails.

It seems to me that there isn't much room for fudging the "limited practice" reports; they're true or they aren't. Maybe the Patriots really hold more guys out of practice, counter-intuitive though that seems.

I agree that the listings for guys who practice fully are gamesmanship, most famously Brady's shoulder.

BB hates the injury reports,since they're essentially there for the Vegas oddsmakers. So he loads them up every week with every scratch and dent he can find.

Fencer said:

It seems to me that there isn't much room for fudging the "limited practice" reports; they're true or they aren't. Maybe the Patriots really hold more guys out of practice, counter-intuitive though that seems.

I agree that the listings for guys who practice fully are gamesmanship, most famously Brady's shoulder.

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Actually, there is PLENTY of room for fudging "limited practice". For instance, if the Patriots are focusing on special teams drills, then whomever isn't on special teams could be listed as "limited". Or, if they are focusing on passing drills for ALL the potential receivers, then those who aren't out there every snap can be considered "limited"..

doesntmatter1 said:

The league makes a massive deal out of it if a player says years later that his injuries weren't documented so Bill nips this potential issue in the butt by reporting even hangnails.

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Thanks, I didn't think of that reason.

olschool said:

BB hates the injury reports,since they're essentially there for the Vegas oddsmakers. So he loads them up every week with every scratch and dent he can find.

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Didn't think of that one either.

Gee...I never heard of THIS topic before...........:bricks: