PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Final thoughts on Pats wrapping up the regular season

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Hoping the Colts can pull this one out against the Texans, they lead 14-6 at the half, and a win would open the door for the Pats to get a needed bye. Some final other quick hit thoughts as we enjoy the last regular season Sunday of the season.

– Pass protection has been an issue the past couple weeks and Miami will be another good test. Would love to see the offensive line lock things down today. We don’t need Brady any more banged up, especially if we have to play next weekend.

– Wouldn’t mind seeing Bradon Spikes sit again, but he might need some work today to stay frosty.

– Same thing with Welker, if they can get a lead he might see some of his snaps reduced.

– Stevan Ridley could really use a big game today as a spring board into the playoffs. Last year he fumbled in the regular season finale and it set the tone for another one in the playoffs.

– Will be keeping an eye on Jermaine Cunningham, would be great if he looks fresh and explosive. Could be a huge boost in an area of need. It will be interesting to see how his return affects Justin Francis. Hopefully we see a little 4 defensive end nascar package.

– I think the Pats will keep it relatively vanilla today on both sides of the ball. They’re not going to bust out any crazy trick plays or anything.

– That said the biggest thing is escaping today with no major injuries, but getting a bye would really be huge. This Patriots team wasn’t devastated with season-ending injuries, but they’ve had a ton of lingering ones that have affected multiple players performances. There are a number of players that would benefit greatly from a week off. If the Colts can pull off the win it will make this last game even more exciting for Pats fans, and I’m always all for that.

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At the time of the deal, the thought was that the Patriots took a short-term hit dealing Seymour but gained more in the long-term. That holds true four years later, although one thing I didn’t realize at the time of the trade was how things were brewing behind the scenes with Seymour and the Patriots. After a great run together, I don’t think either side was happy with the other. After learning that, the trade made a lot more sense than it did at the time, and all but eliminates any chance of Seymour returning to New England in 2013.

Quick-hit thoughts around NFL & Pats – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

https://www.patspropaganda.com/at-the-time-of-the-deal-the-thought-was-that-the/

Welker, Vollmer will be big decisions in 2013 – Sports – The Boston Globe

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Welker, Vollmer will be big decisions in 2013 – Sports – The Boston Globe

Good Sunday notes from Bedard on the upcoming offseason situations the Pats will face.

What will complicate these negotiations is the fact that Welker (David Dunn) and Vollmer (Ben Dogra) are represented by two of the best agents in the business. They will be looking for top dollar and will not be pushed around by the Patriots, as some other agents are. The Patriots can retain both. One can get the franchise tag ($11.4 million for Welker because he was franchised last season, $9.66 million for Vollmer), but they’d have to overpay the other to keep him from testing the waters. It’s very unlikely that either will stay for a hometown discount. The Patriots likely can’t justify spending more than half their remaining cap money on Welker, especially since if they gave him the $22 million last offseason, he’d be here for another three years and would have saved them about $14 million in cap money in ’12 and ’13 alone.

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I hope so…

https://www.patspropaganda.com/i-hope-so/

How do you feel about Gronk coming back? Do you think it’s worth it?

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Yes, the Pats are probably going to have to play next weekend so they might as well knock some rust off of him now. I think the smart thing to do is to limit him to mostly passing situations, especially on third down and in the red zone. There’s no need to put him in to block, that will be the diciest part of his recovery. But this was about the time frame that was expected so I’m all for getting his feet wet a little bit before things get real in the next week or two.