Patriots/NFL Injury Thread
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On top of that, he needs to be able to reach for the snap if it isn't exactly on target. I'd imagine it's hard to quickly reach low/high/to the side with many types of shoulder injuries.Reverend said:
Thompkins probably has a concussion, right? He wasn't a factor last night, but I think we'll need something out of the X receiver spot at some point.
Also, Arrington left the game. Unclear whether he was benched or hurting. Probably a combination of both; he's been listed with a groin injury since week 7.
Also, Arrington left the game. Unclear whether he was benched or hurting. Probably a combination of both; he's been listed with a groin injury since week 7.
But they have LGBT! That alone will draw Kluwe.
Of the remaining punters on the FA market, I like Nick Harris; only one year under 40 yards/punt, 39.7 that one year, in 2003, while having nets of at least 35 yards per punt since 2005. Yeah, the 2nd number is perhaps slightly non-punter ST quality skewed (as in, I'd think a punter with a guy like Slater as part of his ST would naturally benefit from such a stat), but I haven't heard a better metric for punters alone. Anyone know of one I should be using/considering instead?
For anyone interested in the options, full list of available FAs is here, which is updated as necessary: http://thesidelineview.com/columns/caplans-nfl-corner/best-available-nfl-free-agents-offense
Of the remaining punters on the FA market, I like Nick Harris; only one year under 40 yards/punt, 39.7 that one year, in 2003, while having nets of at least 35 yards per punt since 2005. Yeah, the 2nd number is perhaps slightly non-punter ST quality skewed (as in, I'd think a punter with a guy like Slater as part of his ST would naturally benefit from such a stat), but I haven't heard a better metric for punters alone. Anyone know of one I should be using/considering instead?
For anyone interested in the options, full list of available FAs is here, which is updated as necessary: http://thesidelineview.com/columns/caplans-nfl-corner/best-available-nfl-free-agents-offense
I think something else is wrong with Thompkins--maybe just the hip--to explain 0 receptions and 3 targets in two games. It's like he's a decoy. But who else is there?
Reiss guesses they're hoping Dobson might be ready for SB, not Denver.
Reiss guesses they're hoping Dobson might be ready for SB, not Denver.
This site: http://thesidelineview.com/columns/caplans-nfl-corner/best-available-nfl-free-agents-offense has some punting options.
Daniel Sepulveda is a left-footed guy, has kicked in Pittsburgh (bad weather), and has worked as a holder.
Ben Graham is a left-footer, but he's 40
Daniel Sepulveda is a left-footed guy, has kicked in Pittsburgh (bad weather), and has worked as a holder.
Ben Graham is a left-footer, but he's 40
How about Gostkowski's punting style: was it a half step and then kick with very little other motion? He seemed to barely drop the ball to his foot. I guess if you're the punter only in case of injury, you keep it simple (stupid).Reverend said:
Gost said : 1 -- This was the first time he punted in a game. Ever. 2. -- He was focused solely on catching the ball and getting his foot on it. Nervous.Van Everyman said:
Plus, if he were to get blasted on a punt, the whole kicking game could wind up in the shitter. it is almost inconceivable this duty doesn't get passed off.
RT @Nick_Underhill: Ryan Allen is undergoing an MRI today at 3. Initial thought is poss sprain of AC jt, per league source.Van Everyman said:
soxhop411 said:
From what I'm reading, even a mild sprain of the AC joint means out 2-3 weeks. Which I think means we need to get another punter.
Nick Underhill @Nick_Underhill12m
The way it was explained to me, if MRI confirms AC sprain, Allen could possibly play through it if it’s Grade 1
Christopher Geary @ChrisGearyOrtho8m
@Nick_Underhill He could even play through a more severe AC injury depending on his level of discomfort. They will likely try an injection
The way it was explained to me, if MRI confirms AC sprain, Allen could possibly play through it if it’s Grade 1
Christopher Geary @ChrisGearyOrtho8m
@Nick_Underhill He could even play through a more severe AC injury depending on his level of discomfort. They will likely try an injection
I think it's probably a grade 1 - anything more severe and it could be diagnosed by X-ray. I think it's probably a grade 1 and, barring anything else on the MRI (rotator cuff tear, etc), whether he plays would be contingent on his discomfort. An injection pre-game would be an option, too.
I'd be surprised if they don't get another punter for the 53-man roster, though - if Allen is even a possibility, I think he'll be a game-day decision
I'd be surprised if they don't get another punter for the 53-man roster, though - if Allen is even a possibility, I think he'll be a game-day decision
In his excellent annual compilation of team-by-team games lost by injuries, Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News has the 2013 Patriots with the 3rd most games lost.
The interactive graphic is here: http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/headlines/20140107-gosselin-injuries-are-no-excuse-for-another-mediocre-dallas-cowboys-season.ece
AFCE comparision:
The interactive graphic is here: http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/headlines/20140107-gosselin-injuries-are-no-excuse-for-another-mediocre-dallas-cowboys-season.ece
AFCE comparision:
- Patriots: 74 games (3rd most)
- Dolphins: 41 games (21st most)
- Bills: 38 games (24th most)
- Jets: 20th games (32 most)
triniSox said:
Sounds like there's at least a chance he can play. Otherwise, BB would probably bring someone in post-haste to get familiar with Aiken and Gostkowski. If Allen is truly down, BB isn't leaving much room for a new guy to get comfortable.
Otis Foster said:
BB's quote is actually the most revealing one I can remember about an injury status.
If Allen can't go, I wonder if the new punter will be the holder or if they will groom someone new. In that vein, I was dumbfounded that for all of the contingency planning BB takes into consideration, that TB was teh backup holder. In this case, I agreed with Dierdorf that Mallett sure seemed like the obvious move. His shot in the dark of Edelman also seemed to make some sense. But Brady???Otis Foster said:
Maybe Brady said "I got it" and nobody wanted to argue with him. Trying to remember a holder getting hurt on a FG attempt anyway.Saints Rest said:
Otis Foster said:
Translating to non-Belichick speak, that quote means that Allen is 100% ready to play. Or 100% ruled out. Or somewhere in between.
Al Zarilla said:
I predict the point total from the Patriots' field goal attempts this Sunday to be 17.
As they mentioned on the Broadcast, Brady actually has holding experience. Granted it was 15 years ago but still.
Ok and you mean to say that no one else has held on a PK more recently than 1999???
Edelman was a college QB; Mallett? Hell, even Jamie Collins played QB in HS!
But my larger point was shock that over however many weeks of practices, ones where Ghost practiced punts, BB never thought to ask someone, anyone, to hold for a PK? Slater? Ebner? This is the same guy who has had multiple WRs play DB, has lined up Arrington as a DE, and even had Wilfork takes snaps at QB in practice.
Ok and you mean to say that no one else has held on a PK more recently than 1999???
Edelman was a college QB; Mallett? Hell, even Jamie Collins played QB in HS!
But my larger point was shock that over however many weeks of practices, ones where Ghost practiced punts, BB never thought to ask someone, anyone, to hold for a PK? Slater? Ebner? This is the same guy who has had multiple WRs play DB, has lined up Arrington as a DE, and even had Wilfork takes snaps at QB in practice.
Saints Rest said:
It might be a case where of all the possible holders on the team BB trusts Brady the most to handle the pressure if he's got to hold for a game winning FG in a playoff game and/or not linger on it too long (to the point of messing with his game) if he botched it.
Also, two points on Mallett; 1) it's quite possible he has never held the ball on kicks, since he was always the man in HS and College (I doubt his HS coach is trotting the #1 QB in the country to hold) 2) it would not be a total surprise to me if Mallett has stone hands.
Kickers are a finicky breed. Perhaps Ghost felt most confident with Brady holding for him rather than Mallett, Edelman, etc. If the kicker isn't confident the ball is gonna be on the spot, laces out, when he gets there he won't be in the right frame of mind.
EDIT: For example (SSS, my experiences aren't universal, etc) I held for PATs/FGs all four years in college. We always had a backup kicker and holder, and those two guys worked together.
When our starting kicker missed a potential game winner at the gun my sophomore year, we went with the backup the next game. He felt more comfortable with the other holder than me, and the coaches let that guy hold the next game.
And I've heard all the "laces out" jokes. So don't.
EDIT: For example (SSS, my experiences aren't universal, etc) I held for PATs/FGs all four years in college. We always had a backup kicker and holder, and those two guys worked together.
When our starting kicker missed a potential game winner at the gun my sophomore year, we went with the backup the next game. He felt more comfortable with the other holder than me, and the coaches let that guy hold the next game.
And I've heard all the "laces out" jokes. So don't.
Kluwe Tweeted this during the game:BigJimEd said:
Chris Kluwe @ChrisWarcraft 11 Jan
Pats may be in four down territory here. Usually the backup holder isn't really that good at holding.
Chris Kluwe @ChrisWarcraft 11 Jan
They'll practice a couple times during the preseason, but that's it. No time during the regular season. This'll definitely affect operation.
I'm guessing Mallett did hold during camp, but hasn't really since, and Belichick felt more confident with Brady. Mallett literally has not played a single snap all season; is he going to have jitters if you send him out there for the first time all year, in a playoff game, in an unfamiliar role? Brady at least is already in the flow of the game, and you can trust him not to do something stupid if he can't get the ball down or something.
What are Mallett, Aiken, and Gost doing during the season that makes them too busy to take a few practice snaps every week? These guys always make it sound like they're more booked than Obama during a summit conference -- football may be the most self-important industry on the face of the earth.
Seems to me that either
a) Allen is fine or
b) They already know that they just cannot stomach the other options out there and would rather have Gost punt (which is insane)
Otherwise, seems sort of insane not having some legs in.
I suspect he is playing.
a) Allen is fine or
b) They already know that they just cannot stomach the other options out there and would rather have Gost punt (which is insane)
Otherwise, seems sort of insane not having some legs in.
I suspect he is playing.
I agree with the first part completely. I'd probably also throw a few ST'ers in there as well -- guys like Slater, Ebner, etc.Tony C said:
I cant provide a link, but Id say there is zero chance they're planning to go into the game with one kicker active. BB has discussed double duty kickers in the past and explicitly said the reason teams can't do it is that you cant go into a game with only one kicker active because you are f'd if one gets hurt. Even if they were going to have Ghost pull double duty they'd have another place kicker added to the roster just in case.bsj said:
Plus, as Gary Tanguay has reminded is recently, Tom Brady has HUGE hands.
http://www.csnne.com/new-england-patriots/tanguay-bradys-huge-hands-advantage
http://www.csnne.com/new-england-patriots/tanguay-bradys-huge-hands-advantage
bsj said:
Gostkowski punting is far from insane. If it weren't for a disdain toward using football players to hold on extra points, a number of teams could just get rid of the punter altogether and reinvest budget in other roster positions.
Except he said after the game that it was the first time he had punted in a game in his life, and he was just nervously focused on catching the ball and getting his foot on it. And except for the fact that a Bronco special teamer could blast him and take out the entire kicking game on one play. That might be worth a 15- yarder and maybe even an ejection.Dirty Sanchez Forever said:
I was shocked someone on Indy didn't try exactly that. Why NOT take the 15 yarder if it means kickoffs, field goals, and extra points aren't suddenly an adventure?
Why not just go a step further, and take out Brady's knees a couple seconds after the whistle? That would really have put the Pats in a bind.
To be honest, because going after a QB would be a "problem". The NFL protects QBs more than any position in any sport. They're treated like Gods, and the top guys even more so.Euclis20 said:
I know you're being factitious, but it's true. If a guy ran into a kicker, no one would really bat an eyelash. It happens pretty regularly. Rolling up a QB's knee isn't.