The Potential WR Crunch

[RedOctober3829]

They still need to find one more inactive. The Miami gameday roster had both Mitchell and Amendola inactive so they need to deactivate two players who were active last Sunday to roster 5 WR's.

I'll also say I wont be shocked if Mitchell is the odd man out to start if he's not 100%, Im assuming this knee issue is nothing but cant be sure.

You could be right about Mitchell if he's not 100%. There really isn't anybody else that I'd feel comfortable taking off the gameday roster. You're not taking anybody off the roster that plays ST(Ebner, King, Bolden, Mingo, Grissom. Can't take Fleming or Karras out for injury reasons. Lengel is essential.

With the WR situation the way it is, if Mitchell is ready does Bill just sit Amendola out another week to make sure he's good to go and kick the can down the road on the decision for the next week?

 

[Stitch01]

Yeah its Harmon or Roberts for me (probably lean Harmon in most matchups) and Im not wild about either.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Yeah its Harmon or Roberts for me (probably lean Harmon in most matchups) and Im not wild about either.

On Harmon--isn't he needed if Jordan Richards isn't active?

 

[Ale Xander]

Anyone have the 11's for all 7 ST units?

(PR, KR, hands, FG block, FGA, KO, P)

 

[riboflav]

That makes no sense. If you have five true WR on the field, the defense will have an extra DB out there.

I thought his point was simply that the Pats have not used 5 WRs this year and if they suddenly subbed 5 in that might cause confusion for an unprepared team. I guess most teams would be able to get the 5th DB on in time - probably would use 6 though. Of course, after watching plenty of other (incompetent) NFL teams play this past weekend I'm not sure this wouldn't cause confusion or a timeout, especially on an early down or down from which it wouldn't be expected. That said, given the substitution rule, competent teams would have little difficulty adjusting.

 

[Stitch01]

If they dont have any other McCourty insurance, yes, which would leave you with 5th WR vs. Roberts.

 

[Super Nomario]

I am looking at receptions and TD's.

I don't get the goo goo over Hogan, he's had a couple good games sure.

Couldn't you dismiss Mitchell and Floyd's performance with "he's had a couple good games?" I guess in Floyd's case, no, because it's only one.

Yeah its Harmon or Roberts for me (probably lean Harmon in most matchups) and Im not wild about either.

Why does Harmon even come up? He is 11th on the team in defensive snaps. He is basically a starter.

 

[Stitch01]

He doesnt play much on special teams and his snap count has come down as the season went on.

As I said, I dont think there are good options to sit to activate 5 WRs, every option is a stretch.

 

[DJnVa]

I am looking at receptions and TD's.

It's like you're looking at RBI for a hitter and WINS for a pitcher. There's a lot more to it.

Hogan running a deeper route pulls defenders away from the space that someone like Edelman likes to work in.

 

[Saints Rest]

Isn't the answer to which WRs play the same answer that the team uses for every decision.... it depends on the matchups.

Without knowing who the pats are playing yet and what the individual matchups are then it's hard to predict. But if they think Floyds size will win individual matchups or Mitchell's speed or Amendola's route running then that's who will get snaps. I don't think that decision will necessarily be the same for every playoff game.

The activate 4 vs 5 WRs is interesting because some of these guys don't offer special teams value. But we already know the reasoning behind the who gets snaps question.

I think you are right (bolded).

I don't know the strengths and weaknesses of the 3 possible opponents well enough to guess as to who might be inactive based on matchups, but perhaps, if the opponent is a team that the Pats might not expect to do much power running, than perhaps Develin might even sit.

But the more I read the posts here, I think it will come down to Floyd sitting, unless Mitchell (or another WR) is well less than 100%. He may be a shiny new toy, but I think Brady and BB will still favor old reliability/familiarity, over shiny and new.

 

[jimbobim]

Isn't it Richards getting the inactive given the other guys usefulness on special teams ?

I would also concur with what someone up thread regarding redzone and big targets and would add versatility/duplicity of roles would seem to be an advantage they'd prefer to keep over an insurance Safety. Lengel or Bennett ( creatively aligned at line of scrimmage) Mitchell Floyd or Hogan ( on the outsides) Edelman Amendola in slots with Lewis White Blount in backfield or split out. That's a headache for any opposing D I would say.

 

[dbn]

J. Jones has been fantastic on special teams of late. Often the first one downfield making important tackles or at least the initial hit and this in addition to his pinning of that punt vs. Baltimore at the one-yard line. Considering this plus who BB is, I highly doubt he's inactive.

I'm glad you mention this because I agree and it should be recognized. There have been several times in past weeks where I thought "Jones?! Good play! Oh, it was that Jones." Now I'm quite aware of that Jones, for good reasons!

 

[ragnarok725]

I think people may be outsmarting themselves here. The last inactive is going to be one of Amendola, Floyd, or Mitchell. There's no point in carrying all of them, they won't use all of them.

If any of them isn't 100%, it's that one. If they're all 100%, I think I like it being Mitchell or Floyd depending on how much Floyd is flashing in practice to match his week 17 production. That leaves you with 2 outside guys (Hogan, Mitchell/Floyd) and 2 inside guys (Edelman, Amendola) and 2 TEs.

I don't like sitting Amendola because I see plenty of sets where they may want both Edelman and Amendola out there at the same time, but very few times where they'd want all 3 of Hogan, Mitchell, and Floyd on the field at the same time.

 

[Saints Rest]

Looking at some defensive stats/ranking of our potential opponents:
(Seeded from 6>2)
(first number is rank for rushing yards allowed, then passing yds allowed, completion pct allowed, sacks, INTs)
Ry Py Pct Sk Int
Mia: 30, 15, 13, 19, 9
Oak: 23, 24, 7, 32, 9
Hou: 12, 2, 9, 24, 21
Pitt: 13, 16, 24, 9, 15
KC: 26, 18, 2, 28, 1

KC seems to have the best DB's, but can be run on.
I was shocked to see that Oakland was last in sacks, I figured Mack would have driven that number higher.
Watt's injury clearly had a negative effect on Houston's ability to get after the QB. But there DB's seem to be decent.
Pitt seems to be the only team with a pass rush to worry about.
Three bottom quartile rushing D's, with only Pitt and Hou being barely above averge against the run. Bring on Blunt Force Trauma, which would imply that Lengel and Develin should be roster locks against any opponent.

 

[nighthob]

You could say that 2006 was a *pinkie to mouth* Graves situation?

Don't make me beat you up.

 

[amarshal2]

Waddle (inactive vs. Miami)
Foster (inactive vs. Miami)
Brissett (inactive vs. Miami)
C. Jones (inactive vs. Miami)
Richards (inactive vs. Miami)
Coleman (guessing)
---
The last inactive would be one of:
- The WRs

If everyone is healthy, I think this is right, and one of Mitchell and Floyd will sit. I don't see a healthy Amendola sitting.

There's nobody else they can afford to try.
-BB is not going to suddenly put special teams at risk for the 3 snaps a game they would try 5 WR
-Lengel snaps > 5th WR snaps
-Harmon > 5th WR snaps (as SN said, he's a starter)
-J. Jones is not only a core STer but your backup CB with Coleman and C. Jones out
-Cam Fleming's snaps might equal a 5th WR and he's the only back-up T
-You can't afford not to have a reserve interior lineman on the gameday roster

There is nobody else. Plus, James White is practically a wide receiver. He's better split wide than he is in the back field and for some reason teams leave a LB in when he's on the field. I'd rather have White at WR vs. a LB than one of Mitchell/Floyd/Dola and a DB. White on a LB is a great matchup.

If it's 3rd and long you've got Marty who gives a different look than one of Mitchell/Floyd/Dola. This is the one spot you maybe prefer a 5th WR but none of these guys play ST at a high level so it's not in the cards.

 

[Pxer]

It's not about using 5 WR on a play. It's situational groupings.

 

[dbn]

It's not about using 5 WR on a play. It's situational groupings.

Sure, but the additional iterations allowed by having 5 instead of 4 of the WRs active in a single game doesn't seem worth while. If all of the WRs are healthy, then I suspect the staff will determine which groupings they think are best suited to the given opponent, and choose the actives from there.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Amendola is going to practice soon.

 

[tims4wins]

Reiss wrote about this today

http://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4799399/danny-amendolas-return-sparks-question-on-how-pats-will-handle-wrs

That leaves one or two spots to fill depending on how the Patriots handle their cornerback spot (going into a game with just four might be risky against a team that runs a lot of three-receiver sets).

Tight end Matt Lengel could be a candidate to be the final inactive if the Patriots dress five receivers. That might limit usage of the two-TE package in games, with offensive lineman Cameron Fleming declaring eligible as a No. 2 option alongside Martellus Bennett. Fullback James Develin could also pick up more of the slack with more two-back groupings. If Lengel is the choice, the Patriots would have to fill his role on special teams (kickoff return, field-goal protection unit).

Another potential consideration for a final inactive player would be at the off-the-line linebacker spot. Dont'a Hightower and Shea McClellin are locks to be on the 46-man game-day roster, which leaves rookie Elandon Roberts (he's been impressive the last two weeks) and Kyle Van Noy (some struggles in coverage of late). Neither player is a huge factor on special teams (Roberts is on the kickoff coverage unit, while Van Noy plays on the kickoff return), which is part of any consideration.

 

[Captaincoop]

It seems like Amendola is a no-brainer active if he's healthy, with his punt return skills and the established familiarity with the whole playbook.

Obviously Edelman and Hogan are active. It comes down to Floyd or Mitchell, IMHO. I can't see them deactivating Lengel when Bennett has been hobbled all year and there would be no TE behind him. Losing Bennett mid-game, presumably they'd be compromising a significant chunk of the gameplan. Carrying 5 WR just to soothe someone's ego, at the expense of special teams, would be very un-Belichickian.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Reiss discusses this issue at the link below. He says that if Mitchell is healthy that all 5 WRs should be active and that the choices to deactivate for 1 of the WRs are Lengel, Roberts, and Van Noy. His reason for Lengel is that Fleming or Develin could fill the #2 TE role on the line. Lengel does have ST roles on 2 units(KR and FG). Roberts and KVN only play on 1 ST unit.

http://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4799399/danny-amendolas-return-sparks-question-on-how-pats-will-handle-wrs

 

[tims4wins]

Reiss discusses this issue at the link below. He says that if Mitchell is healthy that all 5 WRs should be active and that the choices to deactivate for 1 of the WRs are Lengel, Roberts, and Van Noy. His reason for Lengel is that Fleming or Develin could fill the #2 TE role on the line. Lengel does have ST roles on 2 units(KR and FG). Roberts and KVN only play on 1 ST unit.

http://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4799399/danny-amendolas-return-sparks-question-on-how-pats-will-handle-wrs

Look up 2 posts

 

[EdRalphRomero]

Is Amendola a better punt returner than Edelman? I really don't know how to quantify that, so I'd love to hear perspective. If they are of similar ability in that regard, and you can take the shackles off of Edelman to return punts (since it is the play-offs) and not feel the need to fair-catch so frequently, is Amendola the odd-man-out? Edelman has the relationship, Hogan has been the number 1 receiver this year, Floyd brings a different dimension. Amendola and Mitchell strike me as playing very similar roles. And Mitchell (at least pre-injury) seemed a step quicker than Amendola.

 

[Bergs]

Is Amendola a better punt returner than Edelman? I really don't know how to quantify that, so I'd love to hear perspective. If they are of similar ability in that regard, and you can take the shackles off of Edelman to return punts (since it is the play-offs) and not feel the need to fair-catch so frequently, is Amendola the odd-man-out? Edelman has the relationship, Hogan has been the number 1 receiver this year, Floyd brings a different dimension. Amendola and Mitchell strike me as playing very similar roles. And Mitchell (at least pre-injury) seemed a step quicker than Amendola.

I want no part of Edelman returning punts unless it's late in a game and we're losing. He is just too valuable to the offense to risk it. If we do make the Super Bowl, we're either going to have to face a great D (SEA, NYG) or win in a shootout (ATL, GB). Tough to see doing either without Jules.

*Note: Dallas is not making the Super Bowl.

 

[Super Nomario]

Is Amendola a better punt returner than Edelman? I really don't know how to quantify that, so I'd love to hear perspective. If they are of similar ability in that regard, and you can take the shackles off of Edelman to return punts (since it is the play-offs) and not feel the need to fair-catch so frequently, is Amendola the odd-man-out? Edelman has the relationship, Hogan has been the number 1 receiver this year, Floyd brings a different dimension. Amendola and Mitchell strike me as playing very similar roles. And Mitchell (at least pre-injury) seemed a step quicker than Amendola.

Mitchell has been pretty much an outside guy this year, while Amendola is pretty much slot-only. The other thing is that the Patriots sometimes do punt return teams with two returners back there, employing both Amendola and Edelman. And Amendola is the purest Edelman backup, though Hogan does have some slot experience.

Reiss discusses this issue at the link below. He says that if Mitchell is healthy that all 5 WRs should be active and that the choices to deactivate for 1 of the WRs are Lengel, Roberts, and Van Noy. His reason for Lengel is that Fleming or Develin could fill the #2 TE role on the line. Lengel does have ST roles on 2 units(KR and FG). Roberts and KVN only play on 1 ST unit.

http://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4799399/danny-amendolas-return-sparks-question-on-how-pats-will-handle-wrs

Without Lengel they have no TE backup and they can't run a standard jumbo (23) goal-line set unless they play somebody who hasn't played TE at TE (they already have to play Fleming as one TE). Roberts is Hightower's backup. Van Noy plays a significant platoon role.

I don't get this. I know people were excited by Floyd's week but all these options are more disruptive than just making him (or one of the other WR) inactive.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Yeah King isn't sitting. Its pretty unlikely J Jones or Grissom sit based on special teams snap count.

Just take the gameday roster from Sunday and try and find two more inactives. Roberts, Coleman, and Harmon seem like the inactive options to me.

J Jones also filled in nicely on D a couple of weeks ago. I can't envision him sitting under any circimstance.

 

[dbn]

Count me as one of the don't-deactivate-Lengel people. Not only is he the only TE if Marty gets dinged, but I like the idea of rotating him in a bit to keep Marty fresh. Plus multiple-TE sets, etc. A 2nd TE is much more valuable than a 5th WR, both in general and in this circumstance, IMO.

 

[tims4wins]

Mitchell has been pretty much an outside guy this year, while Amendola is pretty much slot-only. The other thing is that the Patriots sometimes do punt return teams with two returners back there, employing both Amendola and Edelman. And Amendola is the purest Edelman backup, though Hogan does have some slot experience.


Without Lengel they have no TE backup and they can't run a standard jumbo (23) goal-line set unless they play somebody who hasn't played TE at TE (they already have to play Fleming as one TE). Roberts is Hightower's backup. Van Noy plays a significant platoon role.

I don't get this. I know people were excited by Floyd's week but all these options are more disruptive than just making him (or one of the other WR) inactive.

Yeah I don't get what Reiss is thinking. Deactivating Lengel, Roberts, or Van Noy would be nuts IMO.

If all 5 WRs are healthy, I think they only dress 4. In that scenario, the only guy I could see Floyd dressing over is Mitchell, since they both play outside. But even then I think the odds are unlikely.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

I'm much more concerned with if they resign Floyd (pending his legal issues and how much time he would miss) than if he's active for the playoffs. Any permutation of the five is fine for me for the next three games. I figure Amendola is a goner next season with his cap hit and then we look awfully thin.

 

[Reggie's Racquet]

Couldn't they sit Lengel and start Floyd for the occasional two tight end sets much like Aaron Hernandez and Gronk?
Floyd is big, tall and strong and while he may not know the position he has two weeks to learn a few plays out of that set.

 

[Stitch01]

No. Floyd, Lengel, and Hernandez are all completely non-interchangeable players with completely different skill sets. Floyd is not a tight end. This is an absurd, absurd idea.

 

[Marciano490]

No. Floyd, Lengel, and Hernandez are all completely non-interchangeable players with completely different skill sets. Floyd is not a tight end. This is an absurd, absurd idea.

Jimmy G. is a tall guy. Maybe he can be another red zone threat. He has big hands, so he should be good at receiving. He looked comfortable fielding shotgun snaps.

 

[Ed Hillel]

I want no part of Edelman returning punts unless it's late in a game and we're losing. He is just too valuable to the offense to risk it. If we do make the Super Bowl, we're either going to have to face a great D (SEA, NYG) or win in a shootout (ATL, GB). Tough to see doing either without Jules.

*Note: Dallas is not making the Super Bowl.

I disagree. I want no part of Edelman returning punts on most regular season games, but he's exactly the guy I want out there in the playoffs. Edelman had always been the better returner and Amendola's quickness is waning. Maybe you use Amendola in the Divisional round as heavy favorites, but after that I think you go with the best option, since I don't think the injury risk outweighs the benefit.

 

[Stitch01]

Mitchell has been pretty much an outside guy this year, while Amendola is pretty much slot-only. The other thing is that the Patriots sometimes do punt return teams with two returners back there, employing both Amendola and Edelman. And Amendola is the purest Edelman backup, though Hogan does have some slot experience.


Without Lengel they have no TE backup and they can't run a standard jumbo (23) goal-line set unless they play somebody who hasn't played TE at TE (they already have to play Fleming as one TE). Roberts is Hightower's backup. Van Noy plays a significant platoon role.

I don't get this. I know people were excited by Floyd's week but all these options are more disruptive than just making him (or one of the other WR) inactive.

I disagree with Reiss methodology, he started at the conclusion that all five should be active and worked back, but I think he's come to the right question in that the choice is 5th WR vs. Roberts.

I don't think they view Amendola as slot only although that's been his usage this year. Or at least they didn't earlier in his Pats career, maybe that's changed

 

[Super Nomario]

I don't think they view Amendola as slot only although that's been his usage this year. Or at least they didn't earlier in his Pats career, maybe that's changed

Amendola quietly has not played much on O, breaking 30 snaps only twice (once when Mitchell was inactive, and once when both Hogan and Gronk were). He's pretty clearly been the fourth wideout; when they've both been active, he's played more snaps than Mitchell only twice.

EDIT: Interesting note: Amendola had his two biggest games of the season in Weeks 1 and 2, without Brady (though also without Gronk, which might have been a bigger factor). He has only 124 receiving yards since Brady returned.

 

[TheoShmeo]

I agree that the pats activating 5 healthy WRs seems unlikely. They haven't done that this year, I believe, and I don't see why they would change that now or why they would need that.

This could be resolved by Mitchell simply not being ready. If not, one of Amendola, Mitchell or Floyd is going to sit. I know that I may be a victim of recency bias and I've only watched the Floyd block 57 times by now, but I think he's sufficiently different than the other 4 candidates to warrant inclusion.

High class problem but still a tough call for Bill.

 

[simplyeric]

Obviously Bill makes the final call.
But I wonder how much input Tom has on it. Like, is Bill and McDaniels scheming their offense and watching the practices and then they'll let Tom know their decision? Or is Tom really involved in the decision, where they're really asking him whether he thinks Floyd is up to speed enough, or if Amendola is, and who he'd prefer to see active?
I'm guessing it's closer to the latter, but definitely not at a 'player/coach' situation (like I assume P. Mannning probably did, in his later years before the injury).

 

[TheoShmeo]

Hard to know but both Tom and Josh have said at various times that their input on the inactive list is minimal. That may just be for public consumption, however, as it would make sense that Bill would solicit their views.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

My guess is the team waits until a day or two before the game and sees how Amendola is doing and who the opponent is and any other team injury situations before making this decision.

But don't let this stop the high quality analysis that's going on here!

 

[chief1]

I see DA and Floyd both as specialty players right now. DA for kick returns and as a 3rd down weapon. Floyd I see more as a red zone threat who can do things no other WR on the roster can do. They both have great value to the team even though their snaps would be limited. BB always tries to use players that best fits their skills. I don't see either player getting dressed over Mitchel if he is healthy, but if BB values what both DA and Floyd can do to help them win (even 1 play), it is going to be a very tough decision over someone else on the roster. Because I think scoring TD's in the red zone is going to be one of the keys to their playoff success, I see Floyd getting a jersey, but I have no idea over who.

 

[eustis22]

Does who they activate depend on their opponent for that week?

 

[chief1]

Does who they activate depend on their opponent for that week?

I don't think so

 

[tims4wins]

I don't think so

If they face a WR heavy team there is no chance they sit an extra corner to dress 5 WR. But if they face a WR thin team they may.

 

[Saints Rest]

I see DA and Floyd both as specialty players right now. DA for kick returns and as a 3rd down weapon. Floyd I see more as a red zone threat who can do things no other WR on the roster can do. They both have great value to the team even though their snaps would be limited. BB always tries to use players that best fits their skills. I don't see either player getting dressed over Mitchel if he is healthy, but if BB values what both DA and Floyd can do to help them win (even 1 play), it is going to be a very tough decision over someone else on the roster. Because I think scoring TD's in the red zone is going to be one of the keys to their playoff success, I see Floyd getting a jersey, but I have no idea over who.

Who are the alternatives to each of there WRs in these contexts?
-- Amendola as PR/KR
-- Floyd as RZ threat
In the case of the latter, I think the Pats without Floyd are OK. They finished 8th in the NFL in RZ TD efficiency at 63%, only a notch below last year's 65%. Blount set a new Patriot TD record, a weapon combined with the improved play of the OL and the presence all year of Develin (I think many people overlook how much he was missed last year) that makes the Patriots that much more difficult to defend in the RZ. (Side note: the only other playoff team ranked higher than the Pats is Dallas, while ATL and GB are right behind at 9&10)
As to the former, it has been repeatedly stated -- and accurately so IMO -- how much BB values special teams. So I think that unless BB was happy with the return game in Amendolas absence, we will see him dressing for every game even if he only sees snaps as a returner

 

[DJnVa]

I don't think so

It absolutely does. Different teams present different threats and even if we're looking at the margins here, that's what BB does. Every advantage.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

My guess is the team waits until a day or two before the game and sees how Amendola is doing and who the opponent is and any other team injury situations before making this decision.

But don't let this stop the high quality analysis that's going on here!

Does who they activate depend on their opponent for that week?

It absolutely does. Different teams present different threats and even if we're looking at the margins here, that's what BB does. Every advantage.

Well, duh.

 

[EdRalphRomero]

Who are the alternatives to each of there WRs in these contexts?
-- Amendola as PR/KR
-- Floyd as RZ threat
In the case of the latter, I think the Pats without Floyd are OK. They finished 8th in the NFL in RZ TD efficiency at 63%, only a notch below last year's 65%. Blount set a new Patriot TD record, a weapon combined with the improved play of the OL and the presence all year of Develin (I think many people overlook how much he was missed last year) that makes the Patriots that much more difficult to defend in the RZ. (Side note: the only other playoff team ranked higher than the Pats is Dallas, while ATL and GB are right behind at 9&10)
As to the former, it has been repeatedly stated -- and accurately so IMO -- how much BB values special teams. So I think that unless BB was happy with the return game in Amendolas absence, we will see him dressing for every game even if he only sees snaps as a returner

Of course if the alternative to DA as a return man is Edelman and the feeling is that Edelman is as good (or better) in that capacity than the question becomes about the increased risk to JE. And if JE is injured, what is the fall-off to (presumably) Amendola filling in for him? I guess I feel like the relatively low risk (the increased risk of injury to JE) of a fall-off that is not that drastic (a subjective opinion) and is better than than the loss of Floyd as a different type of receiver/red zone threat. Maybe if Gronk was still playing I would feel otherwise, but of course his 5 games this season contributed to that red zone efficiency).

 

[Super Nomario]

It absolutely does. Different teams present different threats and even if we're looking at the margins here, that's what BB does. Every advantage.

Belichick does look for every advantage, but sometimes the idea of "advantage" has more of a long-term view. They've kept guys like LaAdrian Waddle and D.J. Foster inactive basically all season. Obviously a lot of the inactives are dictated by injury, but the team has been fairly healthy this season so they've been more stable.

Jacoby Brissett - healthy scratch both times after coming off IR
Foster - inactive 10 straight weeks
Waddle - inactive 11 straight weeks
one of Jones / Coleman / Rowe has been inactive 8 straight weeks
Richards has been inactive four of the past five weeks, though three of those were injury-related
Amendola has been inactive four straight weeks with his injury

So there really hasn't been much in the way of game-plan-related activation decisions, other than which CB is active and which is inactive.

Of course if the alternative to DA as a return man is Edelman and the feeling is that Edelman is as good (or better) in that capacity than the question becomes about the increased risk to JE. And if JE is injured, what is the fall-off to (presumably) Amendola filling in for him? I guess I feel like the relatively low risk (the increased risk of injury to JE) of a fall-off that is not that drastic (a subjective opinion) and is better than than the loss of Floyd as a different type of receiver/red zone threat. Maybe if Gronk was still playing I would feel otherwise, but of course his 5 games this season contributed to that red zone efficiency).

If you deactivate Amendola and Edelman gets hurt, you're not going to have Amendola available to fill in, obviously. And I think the dropoff between those guys is considerable, especially in terms of ability to get separation vs man-to-man coverage.

What is it with WR that makes people go batty when they make a nice play? I remember Brian-Tyms-a-mania a couple seasons ago, but I don't remember anyone going ga-ga when Joey Iosefa has that one nice game.

 

[EdRalphRomero]

If you deactivate Amendola and Edelman gets hurt, you're not going to have Amendola available to fill in, obviously. And I think the dropoff between those guys is considerable, especially in terms of ability to get separation vs man-to-man coverage.

What is it with WR that makes people go batty when they make a nice play? I remember Brian-Tyms-a-mania a couple seasons ago, but I don't remember anyone going ga-ga when Joey Iosefa has that one nice game.

On the first point, absolutely true. I should have clarified that I meant the risk for future games, not the in-game risk. Your point about the drop-off is the key for me. If that drop-off is significant (and I certainly respect your opinion on that), then yes I think Floyd is the likely best inactive (unless Mitchell is not at 100%).

And, for what it is worth, it was 2 nice plays. Two perfect, make you want to stand-up-and-cheer plays. And maybe fixating on them is like staring at the sun, but I can't look away.