Stork and Lafell Practicing today.

[strngplyr]

Stork's presence will help strengthen what we lost when Solder went down.

Cannon - Mason/Wendell - Stork - Wendell/Jackson - Vollmer

Kline has been our best guard and it isn't close, don't leave him out of the rotation. I think he's allowed two pressures in playing 80+ % of the snaps according to Pats writers.

Personally think the "primary" OL will look like:

Cannon - Mason - Stork - Kline - Vollmer

and having 3 backups in Jackson, Wendell, and Andrews is amazing depth that we've likely never had at IOL before.

Edit: Definitely did not see Mason being more pro-ready than Jackson at this point but I do believe he has been favored and his pulling ability and pure athleticism getting down field on screens is fun to watch.

 

[Gumby]

How does Stork coming back affect the situation at OT?

We need an OT.

It doesn't affect the situation. I was pointing out a logic deficiency of his question. Think in reverse: why do we need an OT?

If we burned thru three OTs in three weeks, why would even consider trading an incredibly cheap, yet incredibly good C - the most important (IMO) position on the line. Would we really want to play roulette with injuries at the position that snaps TB the ball?

 

[Fencer]

So when Stork inevitably returns, what are we going to do with Andrews? He's played great and I don't think just letting him go is a viable option.

Do you put him and Kline in a rotation at guard? Does he become the backup center? Trade bait?

The answers can be different this season and later. This season he and Stork split reps on the field. Absent yet another wave of injuries, neither of them tries to play guard until the offseason. I'm guessing that Wendell is kept purely at guard against the possibility that the rookies hit rookie walls, unless Andrews' rookie wall is worse than both Mason's and Jackson's

 

[BobDigital]

Curious to see if Lafell plays. With Edelman's finger it could turn out to be important.

Sad to see Mason missing practice. with our OL I would really want him to stay healthy considering how good he has played and the state of the OL right now.

Of course I would Sheard back but i feel like the Pats right now have more options and quality players to absorb that loss for this game.

 

[VectorPrime]

Id rather Slater be absent than Sheard.

 

[captain stone]

This is what sucks about a bye after only 3 weeks: now there will be no recovery time for the remainder
of the season, the injuries are already piling-up, we are now short two (!) starting-caliber CBs and one
OT capable of playing on the left side.

 

[PatriotsPimp136]

This is what sucks about a bye after only 3 weeks: now there will be no recovery time for the remainder
of the season, the injuries are already piling-up, we are now short two (!) starting-caliber CBs and one
OT capable of playing on the left side.

I still expect BB to make a move for a CB. I would be shocked if they stay put.

 

[Patsrock]

This is what sucks about a bye after only 3 weeks: now there will be no recovery time for the remainder
of the season, the injuries are already piling-up, we are now short two (!) starting-caliber CBs and one
OT capable of playing on the left side.

Bye after week 3 sucked. But a somewhat silver lining is while next week is a short week against a division opponent. The players could get 4/5 days off before start of practice for Redskins game. Could be some good rest for the players.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I still expect BB to make a move for a CB. I would be shocked if they stay put.

Watch. He'll trade for Sterling Moore.

 

[carpetbagger1]

Watch. He'll trade for Sterling Moore.

I would actually feel better with Sterling Moore on this team.

where's Hank Poteat when you need him?!?!

 

[RobertWeathers]

I would actually feel better with Sterling Moore on this team.

where's Hank Poteat when you need him?!?!

Moore had one shining moment.

 

[Oswlek]

Moore had one shining moment.

He was great on the next play as well.

 

[RobertWeathers]

He was great on the next play as well.

I agree.

 

[DaBruinz]

So when Stork inevitably returns, what are we going to do with Andrews? He's played great and I don't think just letting him go is a viable option.

Do you put him and Kline in a rotation at guard? Does he become the backup center? Trade bait?

Why would you think he'd be trade bait? Stork has missed significant time with injuries now. Having a viable back-up who can step right in if needed isn't a bad thing.. You don't trade away a good commodity like Andrews just because the previous starter came back..

 

[DaBruinz]

Curious to see if Lafell plays. With Edelman's finger it could turn out to be important.
.

Why do people keep going on about Edelman's finger. This is an OLD issue. Good job falling for NBC making news out of nothing..

 

[BobDigital]

Why do people keep going on about Edelman's finger. This is an OLD issue. Good job falling for NBC making news out of nothing..

All I know is after his TD he pointed to his pinky finger which it looked like he could not make straight and had 3 drops.. One of which resulted in a pick 6. Just going by what I saw not what the media says.

 

[DaBruinz]

All I know is after his TD he pointed to his pinky finger which it looked like he could not make straight and had 3 drops.. One of which resulted in a pick 6. Just going by what I saw not what the media says.

Edelman has had games where he has had 3 drops before.. It happens. But yeah, forget the fact that it's not on the injury report at all. Just go by what you saw.. As if a single picture of his finger can tell you exactly everything you need to know..

Again, you bit on the MEDIA making news out of nothing.. They are the only reason you saw Edelman "pointing to his finger" after the TD..

 

[PatsFan2]

Id rather Slater be absent than Sheard.

Patriots might sit quite a few of those injured guys knowing we have short week playing next Thursday Night. Now is the time for our D-Line and LB Dept to come into play.

 

[DaBruinz]

Patriots might sit quite a few of those injured guys knowing we have short week playing next Thursday Night. Now is the time for our D-Line and LB Dept to come into play.

Or they could sit them for both games and basically give the injured players 3 weeks of rest..

 

[PatriotsInGA]

Why would you think he'd be trade bait? Stork has missed significant time with injuries now. Having a viable back-up who can step right in if needed isn't a bad thing.. You don't trade away a good commodity like Andrews just because the previous starter came back..

It seems several people interpreted what I said as me wanting Andrews to be trade bait. I was just listing off options that were possible in a roster management sense, not in "what's actually going to happen" sense. I fully expect Stork and Andrews to remain on the team.

Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if McDaniels schemes up a series in which both are out there and Brady takes the snap from Andrews on one play and Stork the next play. Possibly trying to throw off the defense?

I'm a UGA fan and would love to see Andrews remain on the best team in football for as long as possible