I have a feeling that Stephen Neal might not play in this game.

[DefenseRules]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/

Injury report
Link|Comments (0) By Mike Reiss, Globe Staff December 7, 07 03:58 PM
The Patriots and Steelers both released their injury reports today.

Patriots

Questionable
S Rashad Baker (ankle)
G Stephen Neal (shoulder)

Probable
QB Tom Brady (right shoulder)

Baker did not practice, Neal was limited, and Brady had full participation.


Steelers

Doubtful
S Troy Polamalu (knee)

Questionable
LB Andre Frazier (groin)
LB LaMarr Woodley (hamstring)

Probable
RB Najeh Davenport (foot)
LB James Harrison (personal)

Polamalu, Frazier and Harrison did not practice; Woodley was limited; while Davenport had full participation.

He didn't finish the game and he's been limited all week. I'd rather have a healthy Hochstein at guard than a gimpy Neal.

 

[letekro]

I have an inkling that it will have zero impact on the outcome of the game, whether he plays all, none, or some of the game.

 

[makewayhomer]

I have an inkling that it will have zero impact on the outcome of the game, whether he plays all, none, or some of the game.

yeah, who the hell needs Olineman, one is exactly the same as the next. we should take the names off the jerseys imo

 

[SoCalPatsfan90]

yeah, who the hell needs Olineman, one is exactly the same as the next. we should take the names off the jerseys imo

LOL nice.

I hope Neal is good to go, but if not, we'll just play the same as we always do.

 

[marty]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/



He didn't finish the game and he's been limited all week. I'd rather have a healthy Hochstein at guard than a gimpy Neal.

Yea, especially since Russ knows when to pick his times for encroachment!

 

[mgteich]

There is little dropoff when Neal doesn't play, and the reps are had by Yates and/or Hockstein.

 

[Flying Fungi]

Yea, especially since Russ knows when to pick his times for encroachment!

I think you mean 'false start'. Encroachment is a defensive penalty.

 

[letekro]

yeah, who the hell needs Olineman, one is exactly the same as the next. we should take the names off the jerseys imo

Neal has played, what, 50% of the snaps this year? You're telling me there's a noticeable drop off from him to Hochstein/Yates? If you made a list of indispensable players on offense, Neal would be 10th or 11th.

Btw, in the hands of Dante Scarnecchia, one pretty much is exactly the same as the next. These guys are all smart, and all rather limited athletically. What makes them good is their time spent playing together. Hochstein is kind of like a 6th starter, so your sarcasm is somewhat misplaced.