Easley's Back at Practice

[BradyFTW!]

I highly doubt it. They were more fixated on stopping the passing game last week,

Agreed, I think we'll be seeing a lot of Brown-Siliga at DT this week. Interior pass rush is a lot less important when you're dealing with a mobile QB who you *want* to keep in the pocket. If Easley's good to go I think he'll get snaps, but I think the main concern for the defensive line will be keeping Taylor in the pocket and not giving up running lanes.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I hate that the bye is so early this year.

I don't like it either, but with Easley, Stork, Wendell and LaFell all dealing with injuries it isn't nearly as lame as it could've been. I typically dislike early byes because you don't get maximum utility out of them since you don't have many guys injured yet. The Pats do, and I guess the weird silver lining to that is that the bye ends up being very useful.

 

[PatsBoy12]

I don't like it either, but with Easley, Stork, Wendell and LaFell all dealing with injuries it isn't nearly as lame as it could've been. I typically dislike early byes because you don't get maximum utility out of them since you don't have many guys injured yet. The Pats do, and I guess the weird silver lining to that is that the bye ends up being very useful.

I hear you, BradyFTW. That's a very good point.

 

[Bradyking12]

A first round bye and if were lucky enough to be able to throw the last game of the season away like we did last year should make up for it

 

[pctronics0072]

The second half of the season is going to be rough though becaise we do not have a week off. Those are the bump.

 

[shmessy]

If he is healthy enough he'll play. Never agreed with the cautious approach not because it's wrong but because players don't want to wait if they can go they usually go.

Really?

This is New England. Since when are the decisions made based on what the players want or don't want?

This isn't The Washington Redskins.

.

 

[notex]

I thought I heard it was a hip contusion? Having played through a deep contusion on my hip during highschool (Lacrosse, not football) its more of a 'pain threshold' type of injury than something that could get worse (like a hammy or groin injury). I also wasn't playing in the NFL which is a tad bit more physical!

I am not a doctor, however.

 

[signbabybrady]

Really?

This is New England. Since when are the decisions made based on what the players want or don't want?

This isn't The Washington Redskins.

.

Really?

A player is going to try and play on a various amount of injuries and so long as he can show to be effective than he will play. Might a Dr or the team step in at times sure and BB tends to be more cautious than most but to say the player isn't pivotal to that decision is laughable.

 

[shmessy]

Really?

A player is going to try and play on a various amount of injuries and so long as he can show to be effective than he will play. Might a Dr or the team step in at times sure and BB tends to be more cautious than most but to say the player isn't pivotal to that decision is laughable.

The Dr. and BB are the two most important decision makers in that process of allowing a player back into action.

Regarding a player that wants to get out there and play, the player's body is pivotal, the player's opinion is not.

This isn't the Redskins, so "Never agreed with the cautious approach not because it's wrong but because players don't want to wait if they can go they usually go." is hilarious.

BB: "I want to be cautious, but Dominique really, REALLY wants to play and I just can't disappoint him."

 

[TommyD4207]

I doubt it. I even doubt he'll play against Jax since NE often brings injured guys along slowly for a couple weeks. But it's a good sign nonetheless.

I think he plays this week and sits against Jacksonville.

If for no other reason than to get 20 snaps or so, if Alan Branch decides to be a traffic cone again.

 

[VrabelJr]

Football players like to play football. Real ones do anyway. If the trainers and coaches think he's ready then he will play.

 

[BradyFTW!]

He's been listed as doubtful for Sunday, which sounds about right. Didn't figure he'd be back on the field after one day of practice, but as progress it's still very encouraging.

 

[HawaiianPatsfan]

I say sit him until the Dallas game. That way he is 100% and fresh for the Cowboys. I really want to beat them.

Honestly, id much rather beat the bills who think they're on some rocket ship destined for the Super Bowl. Id much rather see them apollo 14 then the cowboys.

 

[shmessy]

Honestly, id much rather beat the bills who think they're on some rocket ship destined for the Super Bowl. Id much rather see them apollo 14 then the cowboys.

I have no idea what you are trying to convey.

Apollo 14 was a very successful mission. Alan Sheperd even got to play golf on the moon.

 

[HawaiianPatsfan]

I have no idea what you are trying to convey.

Apollo 14 was a very successful mission. Alan Sheperd even got to play golf on the moon.

I meant 13, but hit the 4 instead of the 3 and didn't proof read it. Apollo 13 "Houston, we have a problem"

 

[shmessy]

I meant 13, but hit the 4 instead of the 3 and didn't proof read it. Apollo 13 "Houston, we have a problem"

That's alright. I misspelled Shepard.

 

[PlainOldEd]

Honestly, id much rather beat the bills who think they're on some rocket ship destined for the Super Bowl. Id much rather see them apollo 14 then the cowboys.

Which island HPF?

 

[TheFlyingWedge]

Good to see that he's back at practice. Hopefully he can get back in the lineup and show something.

 

[Marinlik]

Agreed, I think we'll be seeing a lot of Brown-Siliga at DT this week. Interior pass rush is a lot less important when you're dealing with a mobile QB who you *want* to keep in the pocket. If Easley's good to go I think he'll get snaps, but I think the main concern for the defensive line will be keeping Taylor in the pocket and not giving up running lanes.

I think interior pass rush can bring some stuff to a scrambling QB. If the ends hold their contain and DTs bring pressure, then the ends can do mop up duty when the QB is forced to scramble.

 

[supafly]

Honestly, id much rather beat the bills who think they're on some rocket ship destined for the Super Bowl. Id much rather see them apollo 14 then the cowboys.

As noted by @Oswlek, those back to back road games after the bye will present challenges for multiple reasons.

In our past 9 back to back road trips, we've only won both of them 2x. I know most here see @DAL and @IND as "easy" games, but that isn't likely going to be the case.

If you want to take things one step further, the Patriots have basically split their past 17 road games, winning 9 of them if you include the 2013 AFCCG loss at Denver.

I'd prefer to have Easley rest up next week, utilize the bye to his advantage, and come back strong for week five. Either way, it's good to see him starting to progress, or at least testing it out.