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Ask Reiss
A mixed 'bag
Pats fans are energized after a big win in Texas
By Mike Reiss, Globe Staff | October 16, 2007
Mike Reiss
Sunday's win over the Cowboys has energized e-mailers to the Patriots mailbag. This was a busy week, with a wide variety of questions - some game-related, some injury-related, some big-picture related.
This is the week of the NFL season in which players on the physically unable to perform list are eligible to be activated to practice with their teams. I found it interesting that there are 18 players in the NFL on PUP lists, and four are on the Patriots (DL Richard Seymour, WR Troy Brown, WR Chad Jackson, CB Eddie Jackson). We'll get to some PUP stuff later in the mailbag.
Another area that stood out to me this week was the number of questions specific to the Patriots' game against the Cowboys. I have noticed that there haven't been as many game-specific questions this year - which might be a result of the ease in which the Patriots are winning - so it was nice to get back to some of those.
But of all the questions, what seemed to be of primary concern is the status of injured running back Sammy Morris (chest) and tight end Benjamin Watson (left ankle).
On to the questions. …
With the win over Dallas now in place, I come away with a couple of questions after the game. First, how serious is the Benjamin Watson injury, and if it is bad, could an old friend say, Jermaine Wiggins, be a possible pick up as a receiving tight end? And second, with the Pats already thin at RB (Maroney always seems to be hurt), if the Morris injury is bad, who do we turn to? The fact that Tampa can't find a reliable veteran can't be real good news if the Pats need another back.
Pete Pasco, Hudson, N.Y.
A: Watson injured his left ankle and my sense is that he is going to be out for at least the next two games. I also think Morris, who was reported to have injured his chest (it looked like ribs), is probably going to be out longer than that. As for what the Patriots do to fill the void, if they feel the need to sign a tight end - and want to make the space on the 53-man roster -- I'd say Brian Jones would be the likely choice as he was in training camp with the club. But ultimately, I think the most likely solutions are already on the roster. Naturally, Kyle Brady and Marcellus Rivers will have to play more, but I think this is where someone like physical receiver Kelley Washington could be utilized - less as an in-line blocker, and more as a pass-catcher in a tight-end type role. I don't see them making any additions at running back, as Laurence Maroney seems primed to return. With Morris' expected absence, and the idea that Maroney will probably be eased back into the mix, that will mean some more work for Kevin Faulk, Heath Evans and Kyle Eckel on early downs.Continued...
Ask Reiss
A mixed 'bag
Pats fans are energized after a big win in Texas
By Mike Reiss, Globe Staff | October 16, 2007
Mike Reiss
Sunday's win over the Cowboys has energized e-mailers to the Patriots mailbag. This was a busy week, with a wide variety of questions - some game-related, some injury-related, some big-picture related.
This is the week of the NFL season in which players on the physically unable to perform list are eligible to be activated to practice with their teams. I found it interesting that there are 18 players in the NFL on PUP lists, and four are on the Patriots (DL Richard Seymour, WR Troy Brown, WR Chad Jackson, CB Eddie Jackson). We'll get to some PUP stuff later in the mailbag.
Another area that stood out to me this week was the number of questions specific to the Patriots' game against the Cowboys. I have noticed that there haven't been as many game-specific questions this year - which might be a result of the ease in which the Patriots are winning - so it was nice to get back to some of those.
But of all the questions, what seemed to be of primary concern is the status of injured running back Sammy Morris (chest) and tight end Benjamin Watson (left ankle).
On to the questions. …
With the win over Dallas now in place, I come away with a couple of questions after the game. First, how serious is the Benjamin Watson injury, and if it is bad, could an old friend say, Jermaine Wiggins, be a possible pick up as a receiving tight end? And second, with the Pats already thin at RB (Maroney always seems to be hurt), if the Morris injury is bad, who do we turn to? The fact that Tampa can't find a reliable veteran can't be real good news if the Pats need another back.
Pete Pasco, Hudson, N.Y.
A: Watson injured his left ankle and my sense is that he is going to be out for at least the next two games. I also think Morris, who was reported to have injured his chest (it looked like ribs), is probably going to be out longer than that. As for what the Patriots do to fill the void, if they feel the need to sign a tight end - and want to make the space on the 53-man roster -- I'd say Brian Jones would be the likely choice as he was in training camp with the club. But ultimately, I think the most likely solutions are already on the roster. Naturally, Kyle Brady and Marcellus Rivers will have to play more, but I think this is where someone like physical receiver Kelley Washington could be utilized - less as an in-line blocker, and more as a pass-catcher in a tight-end type role. I don't see them making any additions at running back, as Laurence Maroney seems primed to return. With Morris' expected absence, and the idea that Maroney will probably be eased back into the mix, that will mean some more work for Kevin Faulk, Heath Evans and Kyle Eckel on early downs.Continued...
