An Independent Patriots Blog
Vrabel a natural in coaching ranks
Great read about one of the most colorful Patriots of all time. Of all the names thrown around to replace BB – McDaniels/Patricia at the forefront – Vrabel is someone I would definitely get behind. Not that we’re even close to that point yet. I hope.
Julian makes an appearance at practice on Friday, December 11th, 2015.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/spitfiremonk-julian-makes-an-appearance-at/
But what if they get injured then? I don’t see how signing big names helps prevent injuries. They’re returning their entire offense and are staring down the barrel at having to keep Hightower/Collins/Chan and even Butler the following season.
However I did start to put together a rough list of offseason needs for this year and here’s an early look.
Edelman back at practice and things are starting to look up for the rest of the season.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/edelman-back-at-practice-and-things-are-starting/
I really do think they’ll end up with a bye but let’s play. Or put it this way, they’ll either end up with a bye or the Steelers don’t make the playoffs since they have to play both the Broncos and Bengals and could very well win both of those game, plus you have the Bengals vs. Broncos.
The Chiefs scare me the least. I know some are scared of them after last year but I have a hard time seeing them come in and upsetting the Patriots in New England.
Next I’d go Buffalo simply because they’re just a little less talented than the Jets. But they’ve got some good pieces to give us some problems, especially if their run game gets going. But I think the gameplan to beat them is well-known to the Pats and very executable.
The Jets are a little scary given their overall talent. The Week 16 game in New York should be a doozy and that will give us a better sense of where both teams are at after their down-to-the-wire game in Week 7. The question for them boils down to whether or not Fitzpatrick has a perfect game in him. If he does I could see them pulling off the upset.
I’m going Steelers last because as I said, I think it’s an unlikely matchup because if they win the games they need to to get in, it will likely propel the Pats into a bye. Still they have the best quarterback of the bunch and while I like a lot of the Jets pieces better, I just give the Steelers a slight overall edge and their deep speed with Bryant and Brown is worrisome.
It’s hard to believe that we’re already wrapping up another regular season, but I don’t think we’ve seen the Patriots team that we’ll see in the playoffs yet. Part of that is gaining more trust in Scott Chandler, Brandon LaFell and James White, the other part is just getting Gronk, Edelman and Hightower back into the fold.
I’m usually pretty positive but I think we have to accept that this Patriots team might have to win one or two playoff games with minimal, if any, Edelman. Seems like most are simply counting on him to be back and the same old guy for the AFC Divisional round but I think that’s asking a lot. Still, you have to feel okay about any potential first round matchups even without Edelman. But beating the Broncos/Bengals (possibly on the road) in the AFC Championship? That’s a toss up I think if Edelman isn’t back at at least 75%.
Not even worrying about the Super Bowl yet, but the hope would be that by that point Edelman would be pretty effective by that point.
Tons to discuss, what’s on your minds Pats pals?