- Joined
- Sep 14, 2004
- Messages
- 2,956
- Reaction score
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I know to many it seems a dream at this point in the season.
Looking at the injuries PATs have and teams like Chargers and Ravens
it seems difficult.
But here are a few thing that I feel need to happen to make it a reality.
1. PATs need to Clinch the Division then get injured starters healthy
and other starters rested if possible.
It would be nice if PATs could clinch this week but that won't happen
without help from the JETs
I'm thinking the PATs will need to win the next two games to be able to
rest starters. They may have to do it without Watson and Wilfork.
2. Three players have to really step up.
Wright for Wifork and Thomas for Watson. This has been in past the time
that second stringers have had a chance to excell and as result PATs
had better depth going into Playoffs.
The third guy is Jackson. I really think he needs to contribute in a big way
if PATs are going to have the fire power to take on teams like Ravens and
Chargers.
3. Rodney needs to be healthy. he will have probably two weeks to knock off the rust.
Can he do it? I am not sold on any of the other Safties.
Hawkins will be fine with Rodney in there. Rodney is crucial to stopping
the run. With Seau gone the run D has not looked good. Rodney can
change that if he is healthy.
4. Other players that need to get healthy and I don't care if they need to rest the next 3 weeks.
Wilfork, Watson, Hobbs, Graham, O'Callaghan.
These guys need to be as close to 100% as possible.
5. PATs need to win the next two games ... especially Jacksonville ... in
order to gain a high degree of confidence. The substitutes need to meld in
and the team need to soldify in the next two weeks.
6. The front seven needs to come together and show they can stop the
run. I was not impressed with Banta Cain last week and I hope there are
changes but I do not know how this unit can play like they did when
Seau was in there. Maybe Rodney is the only hope.
7. PATs need to put it all together and make a strong showing in
wild card weekend. I am really hoping the injury report is empty
at that point.
If all of the above happens I think PATs will have a real good shot. They will
be competitve with Chargers and Ravens. Is this too much to hope for?
Looking at the injuries PATs have and teams like Chargers and Ravens
it seems difficult.
But here are a few thing that I feel need to happen to make it a reality.
1. PATs need to Clinch the Division then get injured starters healthy
and other starters rested if possible.
It would be nice if PATs could clinch this week but that won't happen
without help from the JETs
I'm thinking the PATs will need to win the next two games to be able to
rest starters. They may have to do it without Watson and Wilfork.
2. Three players have to really step up.
Wright for Wifork and Thomas for Watson. This has been in past the time
that second stringers have had a chance to excell and as result PATs
had better depth going into Playoffs.
The third guy is Jackson. I really think he needs to contribute in a big way
if PATs are going to have the fire power to take on teams like Ravens and
Chargers.
3. Rodney needs to be healthy. he will have probably two weeks to knock off the rust.
Can he do it? I am not sold on any of the other Safties.
Hawkins will be fine with Rodney in there. Rodney is crucial to stopping
the run. With Seau gone the run D has not looked good. Rodney can
change that if he is healthy.
4. Other players that need to get healthy and I don't care if they need to rest the next 3 weeks.
Wilfork, Watson, Hobbs, Graham, O'Callaghan.
These guys need to be as close to 100% as possible.
5. PATs need to win the next two games ... especially Jacksonville ... in
order to gain a high degree of confidence. The substitutes need to meld in
and the team need to soldify in the next two weeks.
6. The front seven needs to come together and show they can stop the
run. I was not impressed with Banta Cain last week and I hope there are
changes but I do not know how this unit can play like they did when
Seau was in there. Maybe Rodney is the only hope.
7. PATs need to put it all together and make a strong showing in
wild card weekend. I am really hoping the injury report is empty
at that point.
If all of the above happens I think PATs will have a real good shot. They will
be competitve with Chargers and Ravens. Is this too much to hope for?