The Official Patriots vs Steelers game thread

[JMC00]

So who moved into active with KT — and Boyce and Leon W — not playing?

Isaac Sopoaga

Only difference between this week and last week is Kelly and Thompkins.

 

[jmt57]

Anyone knows the reason why KT is inactive?

I would think that is simply a case of Collie outplaying him, plus Amendola is back.

It's a numbers game, you have to have enough backups at other positions.

 

[Uncle Rico]

I would think that is simply a case of Collie outplaying him, plus Amendola is back.

And getting stronger, perhaps.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

And getting stronger, perhaps.

I want him to have a great game. Vereen, Dobson, gronk and him playing at high levels make for a pretty decent offense with weapons.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Mike Reiss
Kenbrell Thompkins slid to 5th on WR depth chart last week. Expecting physical game vs. "old-school" Steelers, Pats go w/ 3rd TE & FB today.

 

[Efstratios]

Things I hope for from this game.

1: A win
2: NO MORE INJURIES
3: Brady to regain some semblance of what we've come to expect (2 tds or so).
4: The defense to continue playing well (I really love the Jones's and DMac)
4: Amendola to get his first TD of the year.
5: Gronk to get his first TD of the year.
6: Dobson to get a TD.

Almost forgot

7: BB/Josh McD to stop this bizarre fixation on holding back the number of snaps Ridley gets, when he's clearly the best RB we have.

 

[patsinthesnow]

Thompkins has gone from a 95% snap WR to a part time WR to a WR4 to inactive. Not good....

 

[Uncle Rico]

Thompkins has gone from a 95% snap WR to a part time WR to a WR4 to inactive. Not good....

Depends how you look at, maybe. Bad for him, perhaps good for the team.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

Thompkins has gone from a 95% snap WR to a part time WR to a WR4 to inactive. Not good....

Well that gets Dobson on the field, and gives us so deep threat ability. Bigger target too I think.

 

[SVN]

Mike Reiss ‏@MikeReiss 4m
Kenbrell Thompkins slid to 5th on WR depth chart last week. Expecting physical game vs. "old-school" Steelers, Pats go w/ 3rd TE & FB today.

 

[resdubwhite]

In truth the 95% snap Wr was a case of need. he's still developing.

 

[Ozymandias]

KT's gotta work on his consistency if he wants to be consistently active and featured in the offensive gameplan. The coaching and Brady must have had enough of his drops and hot and cold play.

Dobson is ascending.

 

[patsinthesnow]

Depends how you look at, maybe. Bad for him, perhaps good for the team.

I'm pumped Dobson has ascended from WR4 to WR1. It's dissapointing a JAG in Collie has leapfrogged KT though.

 

[jmt57]

Thompkins has gone from a 95% snap WR to a part time WR to a WR4 to inactive. Not good....

I think if he was still the primary WR then that would be more of an issue, because it would mean

1. Danny Amendola was still unable to play
2. The Austin Collie signing did not work out
3. The team's top draft pick had not progressed at all
4. Julian Edelman had become unreliable


This isn't necessarily a case of bad news and the glass being half empty.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

I'm pumped Dobson has ascended from WR4 to WR1. It's dissapointing a JAG in Collid has leapfrogged KT though.

Well collie has been pretty good when healthy*.

 

[Marqui]

I'm pumped Dobson has ascended from WR4 to WR1. It's dissapointing a JAG in Collie has leapfrogged KT though.

Has Dobson really "ascended" or have the other WRs just dropped off really far?

 

[Marinlik]

I'm pumped Dobson has ascended from WR4 to WR1. It's dissapointing a JAG in Collie has leapfrogged KT though.

Collie isn't really a JAG though.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

Has Dobson really "ascended" or have the other WRs just dropped off really far?

Have you watched his play? He has definitely improved. And he would have more catches and yards if Tom would throw to him instead of a triple covered gronk.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Has Dobson really "ascended" or have the other WRs just dropped off really far?

Belichick doesn't quite say "ascended," but he sees improvement:

"I think you’re really seeing a good day-by-day consistency, on and off the field," Belichick said. "On the field, in the weight room, his conditioning, in the classroom, walkthroughs, all that. He’s focused and he just keeps improving. I think it’s a very steady incline. ...

 

[Marqui]

Have you watched his play? He has definitely improved. And he would have more catches and yards if Tom would throw to him instead of a triple covered gronk.

Improved? Sure. But he's so good now that they don't even need any other outside WRs? Come on.