PatsPropaganda

Clearly Ridley is the number one and Woodhead is the primary passing down/spread back. So the question comes down to Vereen or Bolden, but I see each as having unique skill sets so I think there’s a place for both of them.

As for next year Woodhead’s contract is up, so it comes down to whether or not they think Vereen can take that role. Personally I’d love to see them bring Woodhead back and go into camp with all four running backs. Injuries are too big a factor at that position to discard capable backs.

Yes, I think if there’s one thing 2007 cemented in my head it’s that the season is about a progression to playing your best football in January and February. That doesn’t mean I subscribe to the false notion of “peaking at the right time”. It’s not like every team that wins the Super Bowl went undefeated after Thanksgiving.

So how do you get to play your best football in January and February? You need to get exposed and then evolve. You need to get hit with adversity. And lastly, you must develop a clutch touch. No idea how you manufacture that last one, but that’s probably the most important.

So yes, playing good teams certainly helps, but more than anything it’s about playing in good games, and having your back against the wall as much as possible.

Regardless of what tonight’s result is this game will be a long term benefit to the Patriots. Though if they end up having to play an extra playoff game that certainly makes things a little more difficult.

I hope we don’t ever have to find out for sure, but I think Hightower could be a suitable fill-in for Spikes at middle linebacker if needed.

But what we’ve seen primarily out of him this year is at strongside linebacker and a bit of nickel linebacker. I don’t think we’ll really get a full sense of what he’s capable until next year with a season in the system under his belt. I know a lot of people wanted to see him as a hand-down pass rusher when Cunningham and Jones were out but we haven’t seen much of that.

I would love to see them continue to utilize his blitzing skills. He’s a strong player and can do multiple things. As he gets more and more experience he should continue to blossom, he’s just been a bit inconsistent this year, as should be expected.