Ryan Allen News? - Bueller?, ...

[Gumby]

Looked through and didnt see a thread (so merge me up /pillory me at the virtual stocks, if a thread already exists), but I cant believe this isnt a topic of conversation yet,...... so has anyone heard anything on his status?

Injury updates: I have heard little -to nothing... Doesnt seem like he broke anything; but a muscle tear or something that stops him from catching the ball is as bad as a broken foot.

If he can't go: Would Pats make a roster move to either IR him and pick up another punter or cut someone else to make room for a 1-week rental punter?

A: Who else is out there who they could possibly use?
(I think good old zoltan ended season on cincy roster after squeelers cut him)?

B: What will they do for holder responsibilities??

Interesting that Brady was sent out instead of Mallett. Is Mallett a KNOWN LIABILITY in that function????? Cause so many other teams use their backup QB for that role; I cant believe he never practiced it. So it just makes me think he must suck at catching the football while kneeling. My guess - Slater or Edeldude --- heck they do everything else -- would be viable holder options [wait check that; NOT SLATER; he drops the ball everytime it is thrown; he only grabs ball-carryers well ] .

 

[Gronkandez]

He had an MRI on his shoulder yesterday. The original thought was that he didn't break any bones. He was able to make the Safety punt right after the injury so I'm guessing he'll be able to get out there. If anything it may affect his holding ability.

I agree about Mallett. I figured he would have been out there. Can you imagine seeing Peyton Manning or Drew Brees holding on kicks?

 

[jmt57]

As mentioned above, there was a report of an MRI yesterday. Consider that to be a huge breakthrough in news made public, because whatever we find out, the opposition finds out as well.

NFL teams are required to file reports on each of their practice sessions. Teams are required to list who did not participate, fully participate or had limited participation in those practices before the end of the day. I wouldn't expect any more than that.

While it stinks for us as fans to not know these things, I fully understand why a football team won't come out with more injury news than they are obligated to report - especially early in the week.

That leaves fans and the media to speculate about the severity and hypothesize the alternatives while waiting for the next game to kickoff.

 

[Dagg]

My only guess on the Brady vs Mallett is that Mallet likely never held before(ever).

It used to be common place when Brady was coming up and in college for QBs to hold for kickers. Mallet, being younger, my guess is the punter maybe always did it.

This is the only reason I can see why we would trot Tom out there over Mallet.

 

[Mack Herron]

If they are planning to use a new punter Sunday, they will bring someone in ASAP and we would know likely within a day. OTOH, if they are planning to use Gostkowski, we won't know.

 

[Tunescribe]

Gost punted so well I wonder if they'd keep him on double duty for the rest of the playoffs and use the roster space for one of the practice squad guys.

 

[Ian]

Gost punted so well I wonder if they'd keep him on double duty for the rest of the playoffs and use the roster space for one of the practice squad guys.

I'm with you on that one and thought the same thing until the scenario that played out in Cincinnati went through my head and reminded me that they'd then be without a place kicker and a punter. That would be a nightmare and ruined the thought.

I'd have to believe that Allen will battle through the punting duties if he didn't tear/break anything, and someone else will hold. His leg is tremendous and the field position advantage he gives them is huge. Hopefully he can get back out there.

 

[chasa]

one caveat of having brady as the holder if ryan is out, it opens the door for some Fake field goals that otherwise would have been obvious since brady is not often the holder. by having him hold defenses need to play more careful which means less likely of seeing a blocked kick.

 

[Gronkandez]

Gost punted so well I wonder if they'd keep him on double duty for the rest of the playoffs and use the roster space for one of the practice squad guys.

Gost had a couple of good punts but one or two other were wounded ducks. I would much rather go with a more exprienced guy if Allen can't go. Gost just didn't look natural out there and he hasn't had a lot of reps catching and releasing the ball which makes me nervous.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

He had an MRI on his shoulder yesterday. The original thought was that he didn't break any bones. He was able to make the Safety punt right after the injury so I'm guessing he'll be able to get out there.

On the replay of the post-safety free punt you can see Allen grab at his right shoulder after kicking. He was holding the ball fine in his right hand, dropped it and punted it away, then grabbed at the shoulder. And reports during the game said when he came out of the game after the free punt he wasn't moving his right arm.

So I wouldn't take the ability to make that free punt as indicative of his ability to play.

 

[Mack Herron]

I'm with you on that one and thought the same thing until the scenario that played out in Cincinnati went through my head and reminded me that they'd then be without a place kicker and a punter. That would be a nightmare and ruined the thought.

I'd have to believe that Allen will battle through the punting duties if he didn't tear/break anything, and someone else will hold. His leg is tremendous and the field position advantage he gives them is huge. Hopefully he can get back out there.

This is a best case scenario that may depend on Allen's ability to extend his arm over his head.....you know.... just in case.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

Gost had a couple of good punts but one or two other were wounded ducks. I would much rather go with a more exprienced guy if Allen can't go. Gost just didn't look natural out there and he hasn't had a lot of reps catching and releasing the ball which makes me nervous.

Also, Gost said yesterday that punting will mess up his placekicking mechanics and that he does not expect to be punting next week.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

BTW, I can't have been the only one who sorta wished they had Ghost dropkick it instead of that punt from the IND 26, right?

(I know they'd never actually do it since it's not a practiced thing -- can't risk a screwup being returned for a TD, but it's nice to dream.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

BTW, I can't have been the only one who sorta wished they had Ghost dropkick it instead of that punt from the IND 26, right?

Nope.
Just you.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I'm with you on that one and thought the same thing until the scenario that played out in Cincinnati went through my head and reminded me that they'd then be without a place kicker and a punter. That would be a nightmare and ruined the thought.

I'd have to believe that Allen will battle through the punting duties if he didn't tear/break anything, and someone else will hold. His leg is tremendous and the field position advantage he gives them is huge. Hopefully he can get back out there.

If God forbid something happened to Gostkowski, I'm sure the Pats have someone else on the roster who could fill in as Welker did in 2010 (Edelman? ).

In any case, Ghost himself has said he doesn't expect to be punting in Denver.

 

[Tunescribe]

BTW, I can't have been the only one who sorta wished they had Ghost dropkick it instead of that punt from the IND 26, right?

I wondered that aloud at the game, especially as he seemed to be lined up extra deep.

 

[grux]

I hope he can punt on Sunday. He has a big leg and will be able to kick some rockets in the thin Denver air.

 

[SebertJr]

Also, Gost said yesterday that punting will mess up his placekicking mechanics and that he does not expect to be punting next week.

Good, that was my concern....as well as a holder for him, as far as Brady holding and presenting the opportunity for a fake, don't see it happening, that's a lot of moving for Tom.

 

[SebertJr]

I wondered that aloud at the game, especially as he seemed to be lined up extra deep.

I believe Bill was showing some mercy there.

 

[Froob]

Gost punted so well I wonder if they'd keep him on double duty for the rest of the playoffs and use the roster space for one of the practice squad guys.

I was thinking that too but, I think it's too risky incase Gost gets hurt too. Too bad Brady isn't a really good punter. Would be awesome to always have to worry about a fake if your QB was a good enough punter(although again, injury risk).