Mychal Kendricks: Trade for the Beast??? (Poll)

[RobertWeathers]

The first round bye has been critical to their SB runs. No denying that, but getting say, a 3rd seed wouldn't exactly be an automatic out in the playoffs, especially if the team is clicking at that particular time.

They've also had 1st Rd byes and not won or made it to the SB

 

[luuked]

They've also had 1st Rd byes and not won or made it to the SB

At this point some of that historical stats bring up to make a point are almost as useful as reading tea leaves. This is 2017 and almost nothing of what has happened before has any direct bearing for the next 3-4 months.

 

[RobertWeathers]

At this point some of that historical stats bring up to make a point are almost as useful as reading tea leaves. This is 2017 and almost nothing of what has happened before has any direct bearing for the next 3-4 months.

There is no doubt receiving a 1st rd bye and/or 2 home playoff games makes the road a little easier but it's not critical to a team's Super Bowl aspirations.

IMO health and the actual matchup against the opposing team is what matters most.

 

[luuked]

There is no doubt receiving a 1st rd bye and/or 2 home playoff games makes the road a little easier but it's not critical to a team's Super Bowl aspirations.

IMO health and the actual matchup against the opposing team is what matters most.

I would never disagree that having a BYE is an advantage. One less game where something can go wrong or someone can get injured. One more game for whoever you will face. I just hate reading about how we need a BYE this year because we have never won the SB without a BYE. It is completely meaningless because as you are saying matchups, health and whether your team is clicking is more important than anything else.

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

Super Bowl contenders should not make make themeselves weaker in one section of the team (even with all their depth there) to strengthen another, especially when one of their players have skills or abilities that cannot easily be replicated.

I would only trade Dion if our defense reached a point of calamity (e.g. injuries to Hightower, Flowers, or Wise) and even then, you would not likely get a player for a Lewis, who could single-handidly stabalize the front or have that dramatic of an impact. That kind of transformation requires another entire offseason. And as the season goes along, our defense could turn out to be serviceable enough to still compete in a Super Bowl, especially if the secondary reaches its full potential.

On what Lewis provides (via Kevin Duffy):

The Dion Lewis dilemma: Should New England Patriots consider trading talented RB?

By keeping four capable backs, Bill Belichick has ensured that the 2017 Patriots will have an effective running game even if several injuries hit in the backfield (worth noting: Mike Gilislee and Rex Burkhead have been prone to injuries throughout their careers). So there is incentive to keep this backfield intact through 2017.

There's also this issue: Without Julian Edelman, the Patriots might be lacking one specific and crucial skill set. They have enough speed/vertical threats on the field (Brandin Cooks, Chris Hogan, Rob Gronkowski, Phillip Dorsett). They do not have many players who can force missed tackles and turn a 4-yard gain into a 9-or-10-yard gain. That's whatmade Edelman special when he ran crossers and option routes (or at least part of what made him special). That's also what makes Lewis a unique option in the Patriots backfield.

Gillislee is a power back. He hits the hole hard, has great burst, and seems to be an upgrade over Blount. He'll have his place in the offense. White is slippery, but isn't exactly an explosive athlete. Burkhead is solid all-around.

Lewis is different, and we saw that in his brief appearance Thursday. On a 2nd-and-10 midway through the third quarter, Lewis took a handoff from Tom Brady, nearly tripped over Chris Hogan (who crashed to the ground while throwing a block on the edge), maintained his balance, surged forward through a small opening, pin-balled off of Kansas City defensive end Allen Bailey (285 pounds), and was finally brought down by Chiefs safety Daniel Sorensen. It was a 5-yard gain, but almost certainly would have been a loss of yardage, or a net zero, for most running backs.

The Patriots will evaluate their offensive personnel in the coming weeks. They will decide exactly how they should proceed without Edelman. They very well may decide that Lewis, who averaged an eye-popping 94.8 yards from scrimmage in 2015 prior to his ACL tear, needs to be on the field.​

 

[IllegalContact]

meh.........ayers has already been here.....and is more versatile....bring him and ninko back and we will be fine

 

[RobertWeathers]

I would never disagree that having a BYE is an advantage. One less game where something can go wrong or someone can get injured. One more game for whoever you will face. I just hate reading about how we need a BYE this year because we have never won the SB without a BYE. It is completely meaningless because as you are saying matchups, health and whether your team is clicking is more important than anything else.

Yep. Every year is different. Every team is different.

In 2015 you could argue if the DEN/NE AFCCG was in Foxboro the outcome would have been different.

In 2014 I'm not too sure NE actually pulls that game out in BAL. Same in 2011.