Mike Dussault

Honestly, I’d hold Talib out and get him the extra rest, let him take the bye week then get back into the flow against the Panthers in preparation for the showdown with the Broncos the next week.

Kelly was out of practice today so looks like he might’ve had a setback. It’s okay, get him an extra two weeks of rest as well.

But I do think Sopoaga steps right in and plays a sizable role, especially playing the Steelers.

Well, why limit it to next year? And what if Talib walks? Will it still be the “better than ever” defense? I try to follow a Belichickian code of blogging here…not getting too high or too low over the course of the season and especially not looking to next year when we’re in the middle of a campaign, but let’s talk 2014 for a second…

There’s no question the rookies who are playing a lot should all improve, and if Gronk gets a healthy offseason, he should be a beast next year, and I think Brady has another few years in him. Still there’s so many unknowns.

If the Pats peak at the end of the year and put together a strong playoff push/run despite all the injuries they’ve had, there’s no question they’ll be get a lot of love in the offseason given the guys they’ll get back.

But if they fade and the injuries catch up with them? There will be the injury excuse, but there will be plenty of questions about whether they have enough weapons, if Brady’s is almost done, etc.

So, let’s just enjoy this year for now. As always there will be plenty to talk about in 2014 about 2014.

Here it is. I still think it was the right call. Doesn’t look great right now, but this was a decision made with the next four seasons in mind, not just the start of the 2013 season. And you’re right, there have been so many other problems to deal with this season, keeping Welker was only delaying the inevitable.