PatsPropaganda

I agree 100 percent. If the offense becomes the Edelman with a sprinkling of Amendola show, they’re probably not going very far. Has to be the running backs that step up – Vereen, Ridley, Blount.

Who knows if Dobson will even dress after re-injuring his foot, and Thompkins was little more than a decoy against the Bills. He hasn’t caught a pass since Week 12 against the Texans. 

So I’m not expecting much out of Dobson or Thompkins, and it’s hard to think Hooman, Mulligan or Develin are going to have a breakout offensive performance either. Maybe Austin Collie suddenly emerges, he’s made a few clutch catches in limited time and stints with the team this year. He could be an X-factor.

So it comes down to Blount, Vereen and Ridley. They’ve all shown elements of explosiveness at various times and in various combinations. All three of them have to be lights out for the entire playoff run.

I don’t know how much use he can be, on and off the field. He’s been out of football since last season, and caught just 16 balls last year for the Pats. Much of the Pats roster has changed since he was last in Foxboro.

I guess as far as tendencies and preferences he might be able to give them some insight into the Pats’ offense as a whole, but I’d guess those things would be apparent on tape as well.

Funny thing to me is that just the appearance that the Colts are trying to play some games with the Pats might give the Pats a more motivational edge than any information Branch might provide.