Patriots Injury News Mack Hollins Nearing Return?

[Tunescribe]

Wondering how soon Vrabel will bring the Pats to Denver to help them get acclimated.

They're not doing that. In his presser today he said it normally takes three-plus days; they will rely instead on conditioning and mental prep and travel on Saturday.

 

[Wozzy]

They could use his 6’4” frame and sure hands on third downs.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

They might as well open his window if they're allowed to; the season will end before it does.

 

[shmessy]

Hopefully, Hollins has been spending time at high altitude for the past month.

Seems that Hollins spends a very large amount of time at high altitude, if ya know what I mean
.

 

[Jackson 2]

He's reported so much wrong ******** in the past few years, his credibility is completely shot.

Hollins may very well play, but Zolak's credibility is nil at this point.

There's a reason why he's known in inner circles as BoZo...

 

[Steve102]

Seems that Hollins spends a very large amount of time at high altitude, if ya know what I mean
.

 

[shmessy]

It's just anecdotal, but I spent a summer traveling from Denver (1 mile high) to Breckenridge (2 miles) to sing every week. 2-3 days in Denver, 4-5 days in Breck. By the 3rd or 4th day, things were a lot easier. It may take weeks to fully acclimate, but in my experience, every day helps.

Never been out there, but I vividly remember Belichick always insisting it was a nothing burger........... and then he and Brady went 2-4 regular season (89-38 for all other reg season road games) and 0-3 in playoff games out there (7-1 for all other road playoff games).

No other city comes close.

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No amount of bluff can erase that 'it is what it is'.

I'm sorry, but Belichick's/Vrabel's lines of thinking are just pure stubborness. It IS an OBJECTIVE and huge factor. Hopefully the second string QB falloff is a bigger one Sunday.

.

 

[RobertWeathers]

They could use his 6’4” frame and sure hands on third downs.

...and red zone. Especially if 5-10 McMillan covers him or 6ft Moss.

 

[upstater1]

Never been out there, but I vividly remember Belichick always insisting it was a nothing burger........... and then he and Brady went 2-4 regular season (89-38 for all other reg season road games) and 0-3 in playoff games out there (7-1 for all other road playoff games).

No other city comes close.

Google Search

No amount of bluff can erase that 'it is what it is'.

I'm sorry, but Belichick's/Vrabel's lines of thinking are just pure stubborness. It IS an OBJECTIVE and huge factor. Hopefully the second string QB falloff is a bigger one Sunday.

.

It hits people differently. My brother never feels it when he goes skiing there. On the other hand, I spent a week in Boulder and for the first few days, I was constantly thirsty and felt heavier breathing going up some big hills than I normally would, and this was when I was back in my 30s and running miles every day.

 

[shmessy]

It hits people differently. My brother never feels it when he goes skiing there. On the other hand, I spent a week in Boulder and for the first few days, I was constantly thirsty and felt heavier breathing going up some big hills than I normally would, and this was when I was back in my 30s and running miles every day.

Oh, I hear ya - I'm sure it hits individuals differently depending on alot of factors.

But overall, for 53 players, the New England Patriots, over more than 2 decades of data, the W-L disparity vs. anywhere else on earth is stark.

For that reason right there, I'm thrilled if Hollins is active for this game - - it can allow Vrabel to move in and out more WRs who can play. This is a game that I hope Vrabel (both on offense and defense) intends to substitute guys early and often. I wouldn't be averse to mixing in Lowe and Brown at LT and LG on several plays (for a somewhat different reason than I would have last week).

Also maybe Terrell Jennings can be active for a semi-serviceable 3rd RB? (I'm happy to inactivate Westover - all year long, there is only one effective block I've seen him make - it was a goal line in either the second Jets or second Dolphin game - to me, he is the Jordan Richards of this team).

.

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[Mack Herron]

Hollins brings a unique skillset to our WRs so it would be advantageous to have him for these games. As someone said, there is no reason not to start him practicing if he is healthy, so it will be interesting to see who is on the field Wednesday.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

The thing is, you actually need weeks to acclimate to altitude.

Going early, going late, really doesn't matter a whole hell of a lot either way.

I went there 2 years ago, when I did anything physical I was short of breath. Took a ride to Pikes Peak, that's where I needed canned oxygen. Do the players have oxygen tanks on the sidelines?

 

[shmessy]

I went there 2 years ago, when I did anything physical I was short of breath. Took a ride to Pikes Peak, that's where I needed canned oxygen. Do the players have oxygen tanks on the sidelines?

Yep, oxygen masks, the whole shebang.

.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

I went there 2 years ago, when I did anything physical I was short of breath. Took a ride to Pikes Peak, that's where I needed canned oxygen. Do the players have oxygen tanks on the sidelines?

At least we won't have to put up with Ryan Clark in Denver!

ESPN NFL Analyst Ryan Clark Could Have Tragically Died From a 2007 Game Against the Broncos - Sportscasting | Pure Sports

Before he became a popular ESPN analyst, former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark could've tragically died during a 2007 game in Denver.

www.sportscasting.com

He has a sickle cell trait that is adversely affected by the altitude. I would imagine that all NFL clubs now screen their players for this.

IF anything, they could go and practice in Wyoming of Flagstaff, both are 2,000 feet higher than Denver.

 

[denverpatsfan]

I've lived here for 21 years and sometimes still have issues with the altitude when leaving Denver (5280') for skiing in the mountains.
It has mostly to do with hydration.
It does affect people differently. I've seen groups of hikers from the east coast have no issues with the altitude while summiting 14ers.

 

[patchick]

At least we won't have to put up with Ryan Clark in Denver!

ESPN NFL Analyst Ryan Clark Could Have Tragically Died From a 2007 Game Against the Broncos - Sportscasting | Pure Sports

Before he became a popular ESPN analyst, former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark could've tragically died during a 2007 game in Denver.

www.sportscasting.com

He has a sickle cell trait that is adversely affected by the altitude. I would imagine that all NFL clubs now screen their players for this.

That’s scary stuff. My kids had a friend with sickle cell who had a medical emergency on a school trip that went into high elevation.

 

[n1997y]

It's just anecdotal, but I spent a summer traveling from Denver (1 mile high) to Breckenridge (2 miles) to sing every week. 2-3 days in Denver, 4-5 days in Breck. By the 3rd or 4th day, things were a lot easier. It may take weeks to fully acclimate, but in my experience, every day helps.

That’s 1/3 of the week in Denver, 2/3 of the week in Breckenridge. So you were living in Breckenridge and taking a couple of days a week away from the altitude by going to Denver.

How long after you first started living in Breckenridge do you acclimate? I’d guess that pattern developed over two or three weeks to start, and got stronger over the next couple of weeks.

Also, how fast did your body revert when you went back to lower altitude? I don’t think that’s immediate either. That’s the other side of Denver’s unfair advantage, they’re still supercharged when they play other teams at sea level.

 

[jdlboot14]

Ya, activating Hollins would certainly make Dippre unnecessary. I've been wanting more TE development this year, but that'll have to wait until next season. Hollins is far more productive and useful than Chism or Dippre. He could be a big factor in DEN, and if - IF - we even make it to the SB. No matter who is there, I can't believe we're even talking about this!

 

[scott99]

I don’t think we’ll see Hollins this week, I think we would’ve heard something by now. That being said, if they can win Sunday, it’ll give Hollins more time to heal. It would be great to have him in the SB with a full week of practice. Of course, have to win on Sunday first, there are no guarantees. Denver is a dangerous team.

 

[patfanken]

Never been out there, but I vividly remember Belichick always insisting it was a nothing burger........... and then he and Brady went 2-4 regular season (89-38 for all other reg season road games) and 0-3 in playoff games out there (7-1 for all other road playoff games).

No other city comes close.

Google Search

No amount of bluff can erase that 'it is what it is'.

I'm sorry, but Belichick's/Vrabel's lines of thinking are just pure stubborness. It IS an OBJECTIVE and huge factor. Hopefully the second string QB falloff is a bigger one Sunday.

.

It is the single biggest UNFAIR advantage in the NFL, period. Is it any wonder Denver has so many of those "4th quarter come backs" they are touted with. Mental toughness and oxygen tanks help, but it is what it is. Usually, teams hope to get a lead and hold on for dear life.

Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do about it except force them to move the franchise someplace at sea level or abouts. Since that's not happening, I am refusing to feel even remotely bad for Denver's injury luck. **** 'em. They are saying "SCREW you" to the rest of the league EVERY time they have a home game.