Patriots Pregame Thread Official Pre- Game Thread- Bucs @ Pats

[venecol]

We can talk about game plans and magical schemes all we want but we can't ignore the talent between these teams. Top 3 grades for each position group:

POS:..TB....NEP
QB: #1 > #21
WR: #18/31/34 > #33/46/55
RB: #38 < #25 [GIO & WHITE - OUT]
TE: #5/#41 > #29/#64 [Gronk - OUT]
C: #18 = #17
G: #22/26 < #1/16
OT: #5/30 > #49/49/70

DT: #18/22/64 > #35/98/115
DE: #53/59 < #22/83 [JPP - ???]
LB: #11/73 > #28/43/43
S: #1/31/61 < #8/20/25
CB: #11/61/67 (?) #31/72/75 [DEAN - OUT]

Bucs seem to be stronger at QB, WR, TE, OT, DT & ILB
Pats are stronger at IOL, RB, DE, S

My biggest surprise was seeing JJones and Mills ranked #72 & 75, making the CB group kind of a wash with Bucs having CDavis and Pats JC and then avg/shallow depth behind those two.

This is obviously after only three games with Bucs (2-1) having faced the #13th hardest strength of schedule and the Pats (1-2) the #27 hardest.

 

[sb1]

That’s too bad. Would have been fun to see us go against Gronk. I guess Gronk really has already played his final game in Gillette Stadium.

 

[Guts]

Gronk out less Redzone threats for Bucs.

 

[sb1]

Gronk out less Redzone threats for Bucs.

With his injury I don’t know if he would be as much of a RZ threat anyway even if he played. Still helps the Pats though for sure.

 

[Jim Beankie]

I mentioned this earlier, but I hope we see a lot of 02 personnel with Jonnu in the backfield as a slightly bigger version of DHenry (I'm over last week, although I wonder how injured he is). Watching all these empty backfield plays last week with Bolden in is rough. They did have it once last week: 3rdQ, 2:11, 3rd and 11 at the NO12, pass to Jonnu for 4yds. Mac had way more time than he thought and checked it down after 2.5-3s.

We did have him in the backfield during TC, so maybe...

Can't-Miss Play: TE or RB? Jonnu Smith Turns Toss into 57-yard Sprint

(Although 7 career rushes... maybe never mind)

 

[Rob0729]

Would love this to be a game where Harry shows he can play.
He has to have a grudge against Tom.
Brady hated Harry publicly roasted him without calling him out by name. Freezed him out on the field.
Belichick has to know that beating Tom in this game would quiet all the noise for the next 10 years.
I'm hoping we see Bill run some defense from some division 3 college game that catches Tom off guard and causes him to throw multiple picks.


I badly want the game to end one of 2 ways a Mccourty INT or a Harry game winning TD with mere seconds on the clock.
What I don't want is for Tom to be down by 4 to 6 points and with a minute or close to on the clock go down the field for a Gronk game winning TD.

I don't think Harry could ever be remotely the player people thought he could be out of college. But there could be a chance he could turn into a productive role player like say Donte Stallworth was in 2007. Harry hasn't shown much (or anything) on the field, but he also have had a lot of things working against him. Brady lost trust in his quickly and froze him out and last year he had Newton who couldn't throw the ball. There is a chance with Jones he could find a role in this offense. Not holding my breath, but I wouldn't be shocked if he did.

 

[Rob0729]

It is funny. I would have thought Gronk would play and JPP wouldn't. But it looks like it will be the opposite way. Not sure what kind of health JPP will be in tomorrow night without practicing all week (sure he was there yesterday during the walkthrough practice) if he does actually play.

Gronk being out definitely helps out the defense since now they can give more safety help to the CBs covering on the outside.

 

[Rob0729]

sounds like JPP is in...he's traveling with the team

Richard Sherman will be available Sunday for Bucs. So might Jason Pierre-Paul

Additionally, Rob Gronkowski officially is listed as doubtful for his New England return

www.tampabay.com

He is still a game time decision, but JPP wants to play saying that if they let him go to Foxboro, he is going to play. But the fact that he said if they let him go, may mean he isn't really close to 100%. Who knows though?

 

[Ross12]

I mentioned this earlier, but I hope we see a lot of 02 personnel with Jonnu in the backfield as a slightly bigger version of DHenry (I'm over last week, although I wonder how injured he is). Watching all these empty backfield plays last week with Bolden in is rough. They did have it once last week: 3rdQ, 2:11, 3rd and 11 at the NO12, pass to Jonnu for 4yds. Mac had way more time than he thought and checked it down after 2.5-3s.

We did have him in the backfield during TC, so maybe...

Can't-Miss Play: TE or RB? Jonnu Smith Turns Toss into 57-yard Sprint

(Although 7 career rushes... maybe never mind)

You reminded me that some reporters mentioned they saw a ton of reps with Jonnu in the backfield during portions of practice that weren’t allowed to be filmed. They never ran it during open practices or preseason… and they’ve yet to use it hardly at all in 3 games during the regular season. Have they been keeping it hidden?

 

[venecol]

You reminded me that some reporters mentioned they saw a ton of reps with Jonnu in the backfield during portions of practice that weren’t allowed to be filmed. They never ran it during open practices or preseason… and they’ve yet to use it hardly at all in 3 games during the regular season. Have they been keeping it hidden?

What'd they say he was doing in those reps in the backfied?

 

[ashley]

That’s too bad. Would have been fun to see us go against Gronk. I guess Gronk really has already played his final game in Gillette Stadium.

Too bad for the Bucs, good for the Pats.

 

[sb1]

Too bad for the Bucs, good for the Pats.

I dunno…as a fan I was looking forward to seeing him on the field here one last time. Would be fun to see how we measured up against him. One of those dream what-if things that actually did come true I guess.

As far as “good for the Pats” - for sure. But then again he isn’t really a big an asset to a team on the field as we think when he’s hurt. See Super Bowl, 46.

 

[amfootball]

It is funny. I would have thought Gronk would play and JPP wouldn't. But it looks like it will be the opposite way. Not sure what kind of health JPP will be in tomorrow night without practicing all week (sure he was there yesterday during the walkthrough practice) if he does actually play.

Gronk being out definitely helps out the defense since now they can give more safety help to the CBs covering on the outside.

The Bucs still have OJ Howard and Brate.

 

[Tottie]

The Bucs still have OJ Howard and Brate.

Ya this doesn't change much unless the game is close and/or we manage to get consistent pressure. Problem is AB is going to be active. Big problem.

 

[Rob0729]

The Bucs still have OJ Howard and Brate.

Neither of them are close to Gronk in talent.

 

[Rob0729]

JPP is now out. Another break for the Pats.

 

[NFL Mystique]

Patriots may very well lose. But I think this game is going to be close. Like a 28-25 type score either way.

Apparently Brady is treating this like a SB. According to beat reporters. What's the one constant in Tom Brady SB games? He usually starts slow. I could see his emotions getting the best of him.

 

[NFL Mystique]

JPP is now out. Another break for the Pats.

Yep.

I see Jones having a big day throwing.

 

[Mack Herron]

 

[SHOWTIME15]

JPP is now out. Another break for the Pats.

I get the feeling Tampa feels like they have enough to beat NE without Gronk and JPP and are playing it safe with those guys...