Getting Healthy for the Playoffs

I'm always nervous talking about injuries - don't want to jinx things. The Pats have done pretty well this year, certainly compared to last year. Jerod Mayo and Stevan Ridley have been the major players lost for the season, and the Pats have adjusted well to those with the additions of Ayers, Casillas, Blount and Gray (from the PS). They've weathered long inactive stretches from Chandler Jones and Sealver Siliga, and won 2 games with Dont'a Hightower out against good teams (8-6 Buffalo and San Diego).

All NFL teams are banged up at this time of year, and it's the time when many teams are shutting down players to let them heal up for next year. For the Pats, there are a lot of banged up guys who they might want to think about getting back to healthy for the playoffs. Mike Reiss mentioned 2 today when he suggested that resting CB Kyle Arrington and OL Dan Connolly might be a good idea:

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-...-kyle-arrington-dealing-with-hamstring-injury

If the Pats can't stop the Jets' passing game (or lack of one) with Revis, Browner, Ryan, Dennard and Butler then they're in trouble. Connolly is a stabilizing force on the OL, but they need him healthy for the playoffs more than they need him against the Jets and Bills.

There are a bunch of other guys who have missed time with injuries who could also potentially help the Pats come playoff time:

- Dominique Easley. Has 7 pressures and 2 QB hits in limited time, and was playing well in Chandler Jones' absence before aggravating his knee. May be shut down for the year, but the Pats haven't put him on IR. An effective Easley could be a valuable weapon for a playoff run.
- Cameron Fleming. Was very valuable in a 6th OL/TE role in jumbo packages, which would be a staple for the playoffs.
- Shane Vereen. Popped up on the injury report November 26 (ankle), and was still listed as "questionable" last week going into the Miami game. He hasn't been running very effectively, and has only 24 yards rushing in the past 4 games since hurting his ankle against Detroit (1.2 YPC, after averaging 4.7 YPC through the first 10 games). It would make sense if he can't cut or generate mush power on a bad ankle. Vereen hasn't produced more than 32 yards combined rushing/receiving in any of the past 3 games, after averaging 62 combined yards over the first 11 games. Maybe it's time to see what James White can actually do for a game or two, and let Vereen get healthy.

Getting a bye and hopefully HFA is important. But I think being healthy for the playoffs is more important, and I'm fairly confident the Pats can win at least one and probably both of their remaining games without these guys.

I'm not too concerned about HFA. It's great to have so they don't have to travel but so long as NE gets a top-2 seed and a bye, I think they'll be okay. There's no guarantee they'd have to travel anyways (see 2012 playoffs).

Health is the most important thing for this team right now. I like the idea of seeing what James White can do. I noticed Gray getting some snaps and a target in the passing game last week. He was lined up next to Brady in the shotgun multiple times if I recall correctly. So, as you said, maybe a good time to get some rest for Vereen.

Resting Arrington is fine with me, as I believe we have depth at that position and the last two opponents are not deep in receiving options. Missing Connolly though would be tough, as the one thing you CAN say about the Jets and Bills is their defensive lines are top notch. I don't like the idea of opening up a door to an upset unless Connolly really can't go.

I had been hoping Fleming would be back for Miami, as I thought the Pats could run it down their throats. At this point I'd rather wait for the playoffs.

I agree losing Connolly hurts, but I doubt he'd be very effective while hobbled.

mayoclinic said:

I had been hoping Fleming would be back for Miami, as I thought the Pats could run it down their throats. At this point I'd rather wait for the playoffs.

I agree losing Connolly hurts, but I doubt he'd be very effective while hobbled.

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IMO Fleming needs snaps more than he needs rest, assuming he is healthy. Ankles are tough, but I have to assume he'll be ready to go this week or next, and I think he should play if that's the case.

Connolly sitting is fine with me. NY's DL is good, but the rest of their roster is so lousy that NE should be able to win without him, even if it means gutting out a close one.

the thing I am worried about is the injury that seems to ALWAYS hit the Pats around playoff time every single year. The Flu. Has there ever been a year when they havent been hit? Why dont other teams get hit? It makes me nuts

Read elsewhere that the latest Manning poor performance excuse is that he has the flu

CheekyDave said:

the thing I am worried about is the injury that seems to ALWAYS hit the Pats around playoff time every single year. The Flu. Has there ever been a year when they havent been hit? Why dont other teams get hit? It makes me nuts

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Every team gets hit, some worse than others. Denver has no LBs. They put 3 players on IR. The Pats have done relatively well, and have compensated brilliantly.

mayoclinic said:

Every team gets hit, some worse than others. Denver has no LBs. They put 3 players on IR. The Pats have done relatively well, and have compensated brilliantly.

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Yes. I'm astonished that the injury that has hit them most is Ridley, not Mayo.

PatsWickedPissah said:

Read elsewhere that the latest Manning poor performance excuse is that he has the flu

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He must get the flu every January then.

I feel like this year...



the Patriots are strong... versus years past, where...



...we were a little limpy and puny...

I agree we've been pretty fortunate so far only really losing two guys for year and Jones looks like he 'll be fine. Hope BB doesn't let Gronk play in a blow out. Hell get Aladin in there. Probably go 19-0 if Brady hadn't gotten hurt in AFCCG.

Every man up for the Jets game - do NOT take it lightly.

If Conolly is the best choice on the line, he HAS to play. The interior of the Jets line will get Brady killed if there's a hiccup on the OL.

Win that game, hope for Cinci to beat Denver (really good shot the way Manning's playing), and the Buffalo game becomes the time to rest those who need it, followed by a bye week.

50-yard-line said:

Every man up for the Jets game - do NOT take it lightly.

If Conolly is the best choice on the line, he HAS to play. The interior of the Jets line will get Brady killed if there's a hiccup on the OL.

Win that game, hope for Cinci to beat Denver (really good shot the way Manning's playing), and the Buffalo game becomes the time to rest those who need it, followed by a bye week.

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NE already played the Jets without Connolly and Stork without Brady getting killed. You make a good point that resting guys has to be looked at more holistically, but if Connolly needs time off, he should get it.

Here's my checklist:

Is Tom Brady playing?
Is Rob Gronkowski playing?
Is Darrelle Revis playing?

If we can answer yes to all three of those questions, no excuses. Otherwise, this team should not be expected to win the Super Bowl.

I am usually a proponent of giving guys who need it time off...but if Brady is the QB I don't like the idea of purposefully replacing his starting protectors w backups...

So do we think Maneri was signed to take Fleming's place?

The Brandon Five said:

So do we think Maneri was signed to take Fleming's place?

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Disappointed about Easley, but probably not a bad thing. Maneri is listed at 6'7" 280#, so if he's close to that weight then he's not going to have much role as a regular lineman, just as a blocking TE in jumbo sets. Maybe give Fleming another couple of weeks to rest up.

I just hope that at 6' 7" he doesn't accidentally deflect one of Tom's passes off the back of his helmet

Blount has a shoulder injury..who knows how bad it is. But he was at practice...but limited