Patriots Pregame Thread Week 18: Dolphins at Patriots, 4:25 on Fox

[Real fan 02]

TBA

I bought the Youtube NFL Ticket this season and the 12:00 game schedule has been perfect.

I dont want the BYE. I do for injured players, additional player rest and more time to gameplan. But, I don't because this team hasn't looked as sharp coming off extended rest this season - Giants MNF and Bills post BYE.

You make a good point. Of course players would embrace a week off.. but as Rodney said before the adrenaline is so amped up that you want to stay in a routine.. players are creatures of habit and the good thing is key guys like Spillane, Tonga, milt have all been given the rest to recover. We will need them going forward in the playoffs to slow Hampton in the wildcard next the following week.

 

[Patsfan1645]

I am not saying it would be the only reason that he will come to this decision. Just stating he won't bench starters who have realistic shots at incentives. Belichick did bench players with realistic shots at incentives at times. Other coaches would bench them too.

100% agree. He is a former player and he knows that allowing those guys to potential hit those incentives will strengthen his position in the eyes of the team.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

It seems a really crap bet to let up no matter how the scoreboard looks. First seed is in play, which means take care of our business... believe it or not, Miami remains relevant

 

[BobDigital]

I'm not worried about contract incentives, i am sure they will give them to the players if they are close. That is what good teams do. No need to force it. That being said, since the Pats are probably going to play at least most of this game, here is what i want.

#1 Diggs to get 1K yards for the season. He needs 30 more and i think he should hit that mark. He deserves that.
#2 Williams to get at least 3 more catches and catch every catchable target. Prove the drop was a fluke. Grab 3 more and show you can continue to be part of this offense outside of the occasional deep shot.
#3 Chism to get another Catch. I just want him ready to go and to get some reps in case something happens to Boutte or Douglas as we need someone to step up in the playoffs for a bit.
#4 Rest Henderson. I don't like Henderson had so many touches last game. He should have enough left in the tank for the last push, but i don't want to over use him before the playoffs. He saw 19 last good, and he proved he can carry that kind of load if need be. Let's keep him between 10-12 this game unless absolutely needed.
#5 The OL we will role with all out there at the same time for a bit. I want them to have a bit to get use to each other again.
#6 Andy B to make a 50+ FG and be perfect. A miss before the playoffs isn't good. I want him to feel confident going into the playoffs with a clean game and a nice kick.
#7 The D to start hot. They have been better about it recently, but i don't want any relapses. No bad opening drive TD. Keep that locked down.
#8 I want to continue to see good red zone offensive play and I want the D in the red zone to make some stops when they get down there.
#9 Maye to have another really good day to help lock down MVP
#10-1,000,000 - HEALTH HEALTH HEALTH

 

[obgod3]

I am not sure that Vrabel is going to sit the starters with several key players with bonus incentives within reach on Sunday. I think Vrabel is the type of coach who will allow them to try to get these incentives.

Ted Johnson had and has an interesting take on this that during his playing days the organization purposely kept players from Reaching their incentives and he said last week he expected the Pats to limit Diggs in the Jets game so he would not reach his incentives, guess he was wrong. if the Pats purposely did this, well, wow.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Ted Johnson had and has an interesting take on this that during his playing days the organization purposely kept players from Reaching their incentives and he said last week he expected the Pats to limit Diggs in the Jets game so he would not reach his incentives, guess he was wrong. if the Pats purposely did this, well, wow.

Sounds like sour grapes. You can easily look up news articles of the Patriots giving out incentives even when the players were slightly short. Every few years we get a feel good story like that in the press, so I don't put much stock in Johnson's theory.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

Ted is such a ****, he's fkn pathetic. Bah

 

[NovaScotiaPatsFan]

Ugh. I hate 5:15/25 games (That's what they are in my time zone since I live in the future!)

 

[DaBruinz]

I think they are comfortable with Brown stepping in but it's interesting Jaimes was just signed to the 53. Maybe Wallace is showing them something or had a minor injury at the time Jaimes was signed.

I think they wanted that 3rd center available. Especially since Brown was playing LG.. Jaimes has since been cut and is likely headed back to the PS unless some team decides to be ****s and claim him for week 18

 

[DaBruinz]

No question, Rham has been clutch this season regardless of his flaws.. he and hendo make a great combination of speed and power.. props to Rham..

Rham hasn't fumbled since that first Buffalo game.. They seemed to have found whatever flaw it was it how he was holding and protecting the ball. They asked him about his role and he stated that he's been working on playing without the ball. Recognizing defenses so he can pick up blitzes, working on his pass blocking, getting to the 2nd level when he's on the field with Henderson to block for him as well.

He's shown to me that he's worth the contract he got. It would be a mistake to get rid of him the way some people were talking earlier in the year.

 

[DaBruinz]

Ted Johnson had and has an interesting take on this that during his playing days the organization purposely kept players from Reaching their incentives and he said last week he expected the Pats to limit Diggs in the Jets game so he would not reach his incentives, guess he was wrong. if the Pats purposely did this, well, wow.

Ted Johnson is still butthurt over Belichick's treatment of him. Johnson felt he deserved special treatment and Belichick didn't do it. Johnson couldn't handle that he was toast after the 2004 season.

Johnson was a good LBer, but he was never as good as Bruschi or McGinest.

 

[NovaScotiaPatsFan]

It seems a really crap bet to let up no matter how the scoreboard looks. First seed is in play, which means take care of our business... believe it or not, Miami remains relevant

Miami hasn't been relevant since that ******* Mercury Morris' day.

 

[Zoomnbyu]

Ted is such a ****, he's fkn pathetic. Bah

Truest post on here. I ran into his SIL, WF bank employee, and she was 2nd hand *****ing.

 

[JMC00]

Ted Johnson had and has an interesting take on this that during his playing days the organization purposely kept players from Reaching their incentives and he said last week he expected the Pats to limit Diggs in the Jets game so he would not reach his incentives, guess he was wrong. if the Pats purposely did this, well, wow.

Johnson is a moron. Pats have paid incentives even if the guy is short of hitting the incentive goal for awhile. I remember several times seeing someone like Reiss tweet about them giving a guy his incentive while being just short of it. I remember reading about them paying Lawrence Guy a 500k incentive when he fell a few snaps short of the snap % incentive he had.

 

[JMC00]

Gonzo locks up Waddle

Chance Waddle doesn't play, he left the game vs the Bucs because of a rib injury, he returned but apparently he was used sparingly after coming back from the locker room and only played 14 snaps the whole game. So even if he plays he might be gimpy

 

[everlong]

Gee what a shocker. Fios is fighting with Cox and the Patriots land on Fox two weeks in a row so people have to go seek out subscription services to watch in the Boston area. Move along, nothing to see here.

 

[Real fan 02]

Chance Waddle doesn't play, he left the game vs the Bucs because of a rib injury, he returned but apparently he was used sparingly after coming back from the locker room and only played 14 snaps the whole game. So even if he plays he might be gimpy

Good question... if he doesn't play that is advantage to us. I didn't know he got injured thanks for sharing that..

 

[Huckleberry1]

Sounds like sour grapes. You can easily look up news articles of the Patriots giving out incentives even when the players were slightly short. Every few years we get a feel good story like that in the press, so I don't put much stock in Johnson's theory.

It's not a " theory," it was his experience. He was wrong about how Vrabel would handle it, but I don't believe he's lying about his experience.

 

[Foxypats]

Ted Johnson had and has an interesting take on this that during his playing days the organization purposely kept players from Reaching their incentives and he said last week he expected the Pats to limit Diggs in the Jets game so he would not reach his incentives, guess he was wrong. if the Pats purposely did this, well, wow.

Ted Johnson has had an ax to grind for years, he has been very bitter over the Patriots. I do not believe a word that comes out of his mouth anymore. I can’t stand him !!

 

[Real fan 02]

Rham hasn't fumbled since that first Buffalo game.. They seemed to have found whatever flaw it was it how he was holding and protecting the ball. They asked him about his role and he stated that he's been working on playing without the ball. Recognizing defenses so he can pick up blitzes, working on his pass blocking, getting to the 2nd level when he's on the field with Henderson to block for him as well.

He's shown to me that he's worth the contract he got. It would be a mistake to get rid of him the way some people were talking earlier in the year.

Agreed he's been clutch and Drake relies on him.. he's definitely refocused his ball security and absolutely he's worth the contract.. having hendo allows him to be fresher down the stretch.. oh, and yes he's an excellent blocker and blitz pick up.