Why I'm not 100% sure Bruschi plays

[shakadave]

I know Bruschi is off the injury report. Probably that means he'll play. But is the following scenario possible?

Last week, we kept him listed as questionable (or was it probable?) even though we knew he wouldn't play, just to make Jax waste time prepping for him.

This week, we take him totally off the report, causing Denver to "know" he'll play, and spend time preparing for Bruschi, then we I-R him an hour before the game.

The talk show on Patriots.com said they hadn't seen Bruschi around the locker room the last couple practices, and wondered whether they just "happened to miss" him.

Hopefully this theory of mine is all hokum, but I've been worried about Bruschi for weeks. Remember how awkward that hit was to his leg in the Jets game? He went off on the dreaded cart. I won't rest easy until I see him out there on Saturday. Does anyone else share my paranoia, even a little bit?

 

[Patjew]

Hopefully this theory of mine is all hokum, but I've been worried about Bruschi for weeks. Remember how awkward that hit was to his leg in the Jets game? He went off on the dreaded cart. I won't rest easy until I see him out there on Saturday. Does anyone else share my paranoia, even a little bit?

A little, yes.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Don't pet the sweaty stuff. Tedy will play.

 

[BelichickFan]

Hopefully this theory of mine is all hokum, but I've been worried about Bruschi for weeks. Remember how awkward that hit was to his leg in the Jets game? He went off on the dreaded cart. I won't rest easy until I see him out there on Saturday. Does anyone else share my paranoia, even a little bit?

None of us now for sure. But according to Reiss he was working out hard before last week's game which meant he was close. So he's going to be in pretty good shape now unless he had a setback. Your IR theory is way off unless he had a major setback as the Super Bowl is three weeks away.

 

[Willie55]

I think the league would probably fine the Pats a good portion of money if he suddenly went to IR after not being on the injury report at all this week. I know Bill, and everybody else, plays with the injury, but that would be stretching it.

BTW there was a scroll on ESPN today, late afternoon, that said Tedy was expected to play.

 

[JJDChE]

I don't even think it is possible to put him on IR an hour before the game. I'm sure they have rules about that. They probably would have had to have done it by 4pm today.

 

[shakadave]

Thanks everyone for helping me sleep a little better tonight!

 

[flutie2phelan]

....
This week, we take him totally off the report, causing Denver to "know" he'll play, and spend time preparing for Bruschi, then we I-R him an hour before the game.

Several subsequent posters challenged this hard.

I think Shaka just meant that he'd be inactive or warm the bench ... not realizing that "IR" is a term of art with definite meaning in the NFL - such as This Is The End Of Your Entire Season.

 

[Michael]

Thanks everyone for helping me sleep a little better tonight!

I was convinced he will play tomorrow. Thanks for helping not sleep better tonight!

 

[PatsWorldChamps]

I was convinced he will play tomorrow. Thanks for helping not sleep better tonight!

Like any fans sleep the night before a game?

 

[BusterTBronco]

I hope Bruschi plays.

We're gonna make him look bad. Real bad.

 

[Pats67]

oh, Buster, please. The man recovered from a stroke to return to the NFL. Somehow a trip to Denver doesn't seem that daunting.

You know in your heart Buster - in the immortal words of Brian Cox - "this ain't go like you think its gonna go."

 

[Ring 6]

I think the premise is wrong that he was listed as questionable, and everyone knew he wouldnt play last week.

I think he prepared hard to play, and was a game time decision, and just wasnt ready yet, but close.

What many people forget about leg injuries is its not a matter of whether or how much it hurts. Bruschi would play through the pain. Its a matter of the strength in the leg. Bruschi didnt sit out because it hurt to push off the leg, but because he didnt feel the strength he needed when pushing off.
Being off the injury report by Wed, and being reported expected to play means the healing has brought back the strength, and he is certain to play. IMO

 

[BusterTBronco]

oh, Buster, please. The man recovered from a stroke to return to the NFL. Somehow a trip to Denver doesn't seem that daunting.

You know in your heart Buster - in the immortal words of Brian Cox - "this ain't go like you think its gonna go."

The man recovered from a stroke to return to the NFL? Ya don't say? Really? I had no idea!

Well, then, he must be the greatest football player of all time! There is no way you guys can lose with Bruschi on the field!

 

[Ring 6]

The man recovered from a stroke to return to the NFL? Ya don't say? Really? I had no idea!

Well, then, he must be the greatest football player of all time! There is no way you guys can lose with Bruschi on the field!

Actually, thats pretty much correct. Not NO WAY, buit virtually no way.

 

[shmessy]

The man recovered from a stroke to return to the NFL? Ya don't say? Really? I had no idea!

Well, then, he must be the greatest football player of all time! There is no way you guys can lose with Bruschi on the field!

Way to overreact, Gertrude.

 

[BusterTBronco]

Way to overreact, Gertrude.

My point is that Bruschi is not 100% (and it has nothing to do with the stroke).

The Broncos would be wise to attack him.

 

[Ring 6]

Actually, thats pretty much correct. Not NO WAY, buit virtually no way.

Patriots with Bruschi playing the last 3 years 31-6.

 

[Ring 6]

My point is that Bruschi is not 100% (and it has nothing to do with the stroke).

The Broncos would be wise to attack him.

I hope Shanahan thinks that way.

 

[shmessy]

My point is that Bruschi is not 100% (and it has nothing to do with the stroke).

The Broncos would be wise to attack him.

Then write that.