Pre Game Thread - Lions @ Pats

[ashley]

Getting everyone ready for a Friday:

 

[moosekill]

Yeah that was me, but a friend of mine told me earlier this evening to watch what happens after he's tackled, he thinks a GB defender might've kicked his helmet while he was on the ground... I didn't re-play that down yet, I was watching the other game, but I'll do so tomorrow and see of there's anything there...

He did get kicked in the head, but it didn't really look that bad, but that is kind of the thing with concussions, you never really know what is going to be that straw that breaks the back.

 

[TheRazorsEdge]

Zappe come out party , baby!

 

[gitgronked82]

Yeah, walking around on the field during practice doesn't mean much.
IF I HAD TO GUESS, NEITHER would even be there on an average team that tells everyone the REAL deal.
I could obviously be wrong.
OBVIOUSLY Mac was in agony, I don't wanna hear about miracles, you can only go to that well so many times, and 01 and 28-3 seem to cover us pretty well on that front!

It’s certainly possible to be in agony when sustaining an injury and be able to play two weeks later.
Gonna go out on a limb and say games played in 2002 and 2017 won’t have much impact on Mac’s recovery timeline.

 

[Jim Beankie]

I don't remember that...

Re: Wilkerson, same. The guys here whining about Bourne getting 2 snaps and a 41-yard catch should be nuts about Wilkerson's one game last year. 1 game, 4 catches, 40-some yards, 2 TDs. You know, in relief of N'Keal Harry.

But yeah, apparently it doesn't matter what he does, he is in the perma doghouse.

Hoyer's memory loss was with the Texans in 2015.

With LJH in there a lot, it's clear BB is very very high on blocking ability. It's a little maddening, but as they say, it is what it is.

 

[PatsFan2]

Getting everyone ready for a Friday:

Ash you think Meyers go this Sunday?? It's hard to say based on Parker and Agholor's numbers that he was desperately missed but we have lost the two straight games with him out of the line-up. I think Meyers will really help a QB like Zappe knowing how he excels in the short stuff. Really hopes he goes and can't wait to see the Zappe game plan.

 

[ashley]

Ash you think Meyers go this Sunday??

I think Meyers plays this week. He was almost ready last week. I also think Tyquan will not be activated for this game.

 

[PatsFan2]

I think Meyers plays this week. He was almost ready last week. I also think Tyquan will not be activated for this game.

Meyers - Agholor and Parker are three good options on any down throw Bourne also in the mix. I really want us to improve on Third Downs.

 

[ashley]

Meyers - Agholor and Parker are three good options on any down throw Bourne also in the mix. I really want us to improve on Third Downs.

Yeah, our 3rd down efficiency has been bad this year. The costly penalties have hurt us. I think if you have those four weapons, you add Hunter/Jonnu plus one of the backs and we have enough weapons that we should be better converting.

 

[PatsFan2]

Yeah, our 3rd down efficiency has been bad this year. The costly penalties have hurt us. I think if you have those four weapons, you add Hunter/Jonnu plus one of the backs and we have enough weapons that we should be better converting.

Ash I have given up on those TE's they are dead to me like Keene and you know who. I hope they go with the Three WR sets on most downs.

 

[ashley]

Ash I have given up on those TE's they are dead to me like Keene and you know who. I hope they go with the Three WR sets on most downs.

I wouldn't give up on them yet. Henry was good last year for us. Our red zone issues will improve once we get him more involved in the offense.

 

[mike_usagisan]

Yeah, our 3rd down efficiency has been bad this year. The costly penalties have hurt us. I think if you have those four weapons, you add Hunter/Jonnu plus one of the backs and we have enough weapons that we should be better converting.

As bad as Mac has been on the INTs, he was actually doing well on 3rd downs.

 

[PatsFan2]

I think Meyers plays this week. He was almost ready last week. I also think Tyquan will not be activated for this game.

IF he's heathy why not activate him? He brings a different dynamic skill set to the Team. All Zappe would have to do is lay it out there for him he can truly take the Top off the D Tyquan have good catch radius. We haven't had a homerun hitter @ WR for while and I think Tyquan is that guy.

 

[ashley]

IF he's heathy why not activate him? He brings a different dynamic skill set to the Team. All Zappe would have to do is lay it out there for him he can truly take the Top off the D Tyquan have good catch radius. We haven't had a homerun hitter @ WR for while and I think Tyquan is that guy.

Please see below, I agree with Barth's thoughts:

 

[PatsFan2]

Please see below, I agree with Barth's thoughts:

To be honest I was expecting Tyquan back next week or the follow week to see him back this early shows he's a fast healer.

 

[ashley]

I asked Dou Kyed who he thinks will be the starting QB this week against the Lions, he gave a good, detailed answer...see below:

@ASHLEY1992__: HI DOUG, WHO DO YOU THINK IS THE STARTING QB THIS WEEK FOR THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS?​

It’s still too early to wager a guess, though it appears Mac Jones is making a push to start after limited participation in practice Wednesday and Thursday. Jones didn’t appear to be moving great, and two weeks would be an early return from a high ankle sprain.

Jones at least has a better chance of playing Sunday than he did last week, according to a source. Jones didn’t practice at all last week and was ruled out Friday.

The Patriots also had to travel last week to play the Packers in Green Bay, whereas they’ll be home Sunday against the Detroit Lions. So, while last week there was no shot of Jones being a game-time decision if he wasn’t going to make the trip to Green Bay, New England could push the decision this week if they so choose.

With Brian Hoyer on injured reserve after suffering a concussion in Week 4, rookie Bailey Zappe would be next in line to start. New England also has Garrett Gilbert back on its practice squad.

He certainly could have a more difficult matchup in his first NFL start. The Lions have allowed 141 points in four games, and their defense ranks 26th in expected points added (EPA) per passing play against. The Patriots could also lean on their running game since the Lions’ defense is a distant 32nd in EPA per running play against. I do wonder if the Patriots would open up their offense and allow Zappe to test the Lions downfield if he starts, however. They have played it safe with rookies put in difficult situations in the past.

I know the Patriots had some optimism in what they saw from Zappe in Week 4 against Packers, but he’ll need to play calmer in the pocket, go through his reads and get the ball out quicker. His average release time was 3.21 seconds for the game. That ranks 36th out of 46 quarterbacks this season and 29th out of 36 quarterbacks in Week 4.

Zappe was 5-of-5 for 22 yards when he got rid of the ball in less than 2.5 seconds and 5-of-10 for 77 yards with a touchdown when he held the ball for 2.5 seconds or more.

If by some chance Jones can play and looks relatively like himself, I think we could see an offensive explosion from the Patriots. This is a great rebound opportunity for an offense that currently ranks 24th in EPA per play.

 

[PatsFan2]

I asked Dou Kyed who he thinks will be the starting QB this week against the Lions, he gave a good, detailed answer...see below:

@ASHLEY1992__: HI DOUG, WHO DO YOU THINK IS THE STARTING QB THIS WEEK FOR THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS?​

It’s still too early to wager a guess, though it appears Mac Jones is making a push to start after limited participation in practice Wednesday and Thursday. Jones didn’t appear to be moving great, and two weeks would be an early return from a high ankle sprain.

Jones at least has a better chance of playing Sunday than he did last week, according to a source. Jones didn’t practice at all last week and was ruled out Friday.

The Patriots also had to travel last week to play the Packers in Green Bay, whereas they’ll be home Sunday against the Detroit Lions. So, while last week there was no shot of Jones being a game-time decision if he wasn’t going to make the trip to Green Bay, New England could push the decision this week if they so choose.

With Brian Hoyer on injured reserve after suffering a concussion in Week 4, rookie Bailey Zappe would be next in line to start. New England also has Garrett Gilbert back on its practice squad.

He certainly could have a more difficult matchup in his first NFL start. The Lions have allowed 141 points in four games, and their defense ranks 26th in expected points added (EPA) per passing play against. The Patriots could also lean on their running game since the Lions’ defense is a distant 32nd in EPA per running play against. I do wonder if the Patriots would open up their offense and allow Zappe to test the Lions downfield if he starts, however. They have played it safe with rookies put in difficult situations in the past.

I know the Patriots had some optimism in what they saw from Zappe in Week 4 against Packers, but he’ll need to play calmer in the pocket, go through his reads and get the ball out quicker. His average release time was 3.21 seconds for the game. That ranks 36th out of 46 quarterbacks this season and 29th out of 36 quarterbacks in Week 4.

Zappe was 5-of-5 for 22 yards when he got rid of the ball in less than 2.5 seconds and 5-of-10 for 77 yards with a touchdown when he held the ball for 2.5 seconds or more.

If by some chance Jones can play and looks relatively like himself, I think we could see an offensive explosion from the Patriots. This is a great rebound opportunity for an offense that currently ranks 24th in EPA per play.

Hmmmmmm Interesting seems like Mac is number 2 with a chance to play if Zappe really struggles.

 

[ashley]

 

[PatsFan2]

That means he's really three weeks away keeping the BB "close" in mind.

 

[Dingleberry]

Hoyer's memory loss was with the Texans in 2015.

With LJH in there a lot, it's clear BB is very very high on blocking ability. It's a little maddening, but as they say, it is what it is.

Someone had to replace Harry's blocking productivity.