EDIT: Hogan will play! // H. back at practice! T.Flowers practicing as well (EDIT: out)

[n6249c]

Tough call this weekend. How will he reintegrate? The Pats offense has changed a lot since Hogan went down. Even if he's healthy, it's tough to say his fantasy value (which was very TD dependent early on) will remain high, even with Gronk out.

As tempting as it is, I consider him a boom or bust. I won't start him over Thielen or Cooks this week. I might consider him over Josh Gordon, but JG's matchup is so juicy it's nearly impossible to sit him down this week.

If Hogan comes out and catches 6 for 75 and a TD, I will definitely put him back in there vs. the Steelers.

Enough fantasy. From a real world perspective this is awesome. I know we say this nearly every year but I have no idea how any team can possibly account for all the weapons in this offense.

I'm wrestling with that tough call, right now I've got Hogan in the lineup with no other WR on the bench. Best pickup available in my league is probably Josh Gordon, or maybe one of the Lions (both Marvin Jones and Golden Tate are available ATM), because I refuse to pick up Roddy Anderson and root for a Jet. But I'm not sure if I should use him to replace Hogan, or Alfred Morris in the W/R spot. Definitely keeping Keenan Allen on the field either way.

Thing is, Hogan had a shoulder injury iirc not his wheels. So I am thinking it's less likely that game action would cause reinjury if he really is ready to go, and thus the team is likely to have him play a good number of snaps and use him fully not just as a decoy, especially with Gronk out. Real key is how effective the run game might be, and whether Brady throws much at all anyway. Might have to look at whether any Patriot RBs are available, but that's a tough call as well. Which one? And Morris is the only RB position I can use (Kamara already played and I'm not benching Bell even against Baltimore).

Tough call indeed. Think I'm going to roll the dice on Hogan.

 

[long distance]

WTF? BB on to PIT already?..

 

[Wheelman]

"But I've been told he hasn't been released" LOL, Gillislee hasn't been bad people! Lewis and Burkhead just have way more versatility. White is entrenched as the 3rd down/passing play RB. The more you can do as BB always says. There's nothing wrong with Gillislee.(unless you count his lack of versatility) It's a numbers game. If one of our 3 RB's can't go, Gillislee will be in and he'll do just fine in the run game. Just less unpredictability because he's not a threat in the pass game.

It would be foolish and ill advised to get rid of probably the best RB depth in the league.

 

[RobertWeathers]

WTF? BB on to PIT already?..

BB taking full advantage of snowy conditions in order to be fully-prepared for January in Foxboro

 

[RobertWeathers]

"But I've been told he hasn't been released" LOL, Gillislee hasn't been bad people! Lewis and Burkhead just have way more versatility. White is entrenched as the 3rd down/passing play RB. The more you can do as BB always says. There's nothing wrong with Gillislee.(unless you count his lack of versatility) It's a numbers game. If one of our 3 RB's can't go, Gillislee will be in and he'll do just fine in the run game. Just less unpredictability because he's not a thread in the pass game.

It would be foolish and ill advised to get rid of probably the best RB depth in the league.

Let the speculation begin. Late for a meeting. Sick. Pissed off when he was told he would be inactive again. Jetsons car didn't work.

Man this guy has is having it rough.

 

[Wheelman]

Let the speculation begin. Late for a meeting. Sick. Pissed off when he was told he would be inactive again. Jetsons car didn't work.

Man this guy has is having it rough.

I must have missed these reports, when did it all happen?

Edit: You're speculating of today's absence, my bad!
Why did the mods remove the ability to delete posts.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I must have missed these reports, when did it all happen?

Its nowhere. I'm just playing the role of irresponsible sports journalist and throwing crap against the wall to see what sticks.

I think the Jetsons car not starting rumor has legs.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Van Noy and Cannon OUT for Monday

 

[GorBelSer]

Hopefully they will be ready to go Monday.

 

[Mack Herron]

Its nowhere. I'm just playing the role of irresponsible sports journalist and throwing crap against the wall to see what sticks.

I think the Jetsons car not starting rumor has legs.

He's sick. Let's hope it doesn't spread.

 

[FCB02062]

WTF w the walking wounded this season, seems every game both offense and defense r missing 2-4 important players...same fukicng thing in Miami Monday night

 

[long distance]

Van Noy and Cannon OUT for Monday

On a positive side Brady, M.Butler and Reilly are removed from inj. report.
Great news about Reilly since he was in concussion protocol and this means he will play at 100% which is big in KVN (possibly Wise) absence.

Gillislee was out with illness and one can spin a positive news on this as well: kills the silly buzz of Pats possibly releasing him and shows RB is a tight group spreading love and viruses..
__

Cannon's absence is becoming more worrisome and might be a long shot already for PIT. This from Reiss earlier today:

Marcus Cannon still had his ankle in a walking boot this week, but since he hasn't been placed on injured reserve, the team obviously still believes he has a chance to return this season. It was a significant ankle injury, and when it happens to someone that is carrying 300-plus pounds it's a lot more weight to put on that wheel. So it's more about giving it the appropriate time to heal.

 

[NormZauchin]

WTF? BB on to PIT already?..

Well, Chris Foerster, Miami's former offensive line coach, was known to play in the snow.

 

[captain stone]

WTF w the walking wounded this season, seems every game both offense and defense r missing 2-4 important players...same fukicng thing in Miami Monday night

Yep. It's 2015 all over again, with quite possibly the same season-ending result.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Yep. It's 2015 all over again, with quite possibly the same season-ending result.

2014 and 2016 is more likely.

This team is 10x deeper than 2015.

 

[Kdo5]

Yep. It's 2015 all over again, with quite possibly the same season-ending result.

There is a difference. I'm sure you remember the last several weeks of 2015? Team was struggling, especially offensively. Lost to Eagles, Dolphins, Jets late in the season. The impact of those injuries were obvious.

Thus far in 2017, it's hard to notice. Offense is still functioning with high efficiency, defense is at the top of its game. Remember the offense in 2015 was missing Edelman, Lewis, Blount and Gronk was hobbled. We had no running game, no consistent slot receiver. Just the likes of Amendola and Keshawn Martin. We have full strength at the running back position which has been a boon for our offense. We are just missing Edelman and Mitchell, maybe we get the latter back. If we can avoid a serious injury and Cannon is back soon we'll be just fine.

I expect some struggles in Miami given the absence of Gronk and Van Noy. The return of Hogan helps though.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

On a positive side Brady, M.Butler and Reilly are removed from inj. report.
Great news about Reilly since he was in concussion protocol and this means he will play at 100% which is big in KVN (possibly Wise) absence.

Gillislee was out with illness and one can spin a positive news on this as well: kills the silly buzz of Pats possibly releasing him and shows RB is a tight group spreading love and viruses..
__

Cannon's absence is becoming more worrisome and might be a long shot already for PIT. This from Reiss earlier today:

Marcus Cannon still had his ankle in a walking boot this week, but since he hasn't been placed on injured reserve, the team obviously still believes he has a chance to return this season. It was a significant ankle injury, and when it happens to someone that is carrying 300-plus pounds it's a lot more weight to put on that wheel. So it's more about giving it the appropriate time to heal.

A bit puzzling as to why Gill would be released unless he was a problem in the locker room (appears not the case as suggested by 'practice player of the week') or the Patriots were utterly desperate to shore up another position.
While it is true Gill is now firmly in the inactive category, he is better than what would be expected for depth. If next Sunday against the Steelers weather is predicted to be a windy rainy mush or windy snow bowl, I don't want Lewis taking 20 to 25 carries in weather conditions that are jacked and the opposition D teeing off on the run game. And while Burk has size for a heavier load under those tough conditions, IMHO Gill is the guy best suited for that pound it role.
As well what if Burk gets hurt (I certainly hope not)? What if Lewis gets hurt (praying it doesn't happen)? Gill stepping in means production at least doesn't fall off a cliff (if it is Burk that gets hurt it will require some juggling of roles but it can be made to work as Lewis has shown some ability to be a receiving target).

Gill CLEARLY got beat out by Lewis (and to an extent what Burk has been able to do) because Lewis is producing so well. Right now Lewis would beat out many starters from other teams (Lewis lone ? is his carries appear to be purposefully limited by JM. Lewis in the past 4 weeks he is right at that 14 to 15 carries a game with few receiving targets except the 4 in the Raider game - while Burk in the last 4 is right around 10 handoffs but getting more receiving targets). Again that doesn't make Gill without value, it just makes him not as valuable as those producing better. And with the chess game that comes with only 41 players that can be active (plus the player locks of K, P, LS, QB, Backup QB), it is hard to justify 6 active spots for the RB position.

To me it's simple, appreciate the good depth with Gill and hope for the guy to succeed in whatever role he earns/fights for in the eyes of the coaching staff.

 

[Bradyking12]

2014 and 2016 is more likely.

This team is 10x deeper than 2015.

Yea BB did a good job of that in the depth department this season, lost Edelman and Hightower for the year, still rolling

 

[Bradyking12]

There is a difference. I'm sure you remember the last several weeks of 2015? Team was struggling, especially offensively. Lost to Eagles, Dolphins, Jets late in the season. The impact of those injuries were obvious.

Thus far in 2017, it's hard to notice. Offense is still functioning with high efficiency, defense is at the top of its game. Remember the offense in 2015 was missing Edelman, Lewis, Blount and Gronk was hobbled. We had no running game, no consistent slot receiver. Just the likes of Amendola and Keshawn Martin. We have full strength at the running back position which has been a boon for our offense. We are just missing Edelman and Mitchell, maybe we get the latter back. If we can avoid a serious injury and Cannon is back soon we'll be just fine.

I expect some struggles in Miami given the absence of Gronk and Van Noy. The return of Hogan helps though.

We should of kept Van Noy out against the Bills but oh well atleast his injury isn't season ending

 

[Bradyking12]

Yep. It's 2015 all over again, with quite possibly the same season-ending result.

We have plenty of depth this season compared to '15, lost one of our top offensive and defensive weapons and still rolling