Pats/Rams (1 Viewer)

[bostonfred]

One thing that slightly concerns me about Welker is that last week, he made his two catches, finished out the drive, then hit the bench for the rest of the game. Tonight, he played deep into the first half, but with the Patriots' offensive starters playing into the start of the fourth quarter, I don't think Welker has been on the field since the end of the half. So they're going back to him and getting him action, but they're giving him a little more rest than the other guys. I don't know if that will continue into the season - he looks good when he plays, and has shown some speed, some cutting ability, and last week he took a decent hit that made him scrunch up on his knees, and he kept playing after that. But it's still worth questioning whether he will be able to get the volume of receptions he's seen in the past, especially early in the season.

 

[cr8f]

Get used to seeing that. Brady to Moss for 65 yards.

I think they both want to prove they are still on top and Moss is in a contract year isn't he?

 

[jurb26]

I am beginning to think this will be a typical Pats game. The defense won't be able to stop many teams and the offense will have to keep passing all game long for shootouts.

I've got no problem with this.

 

[David Yudkin]

Get used to seeing that. Brady to Moss for 65 yards.

I think they both want to prove they are still on top and Moss is in a contract year isn't he?

Yes, contract year for Moss.

 

[AngryPatriot]

OMG! Gronk looks like the real deal right out of the gate. But who's his barber? That's awful.

The D is scary. Amazing throws by Brady (great catch by Alge Crumpler).

 

[TheWick]

Seeing Welker running down the field is a beautiful thing.

I heard on Sirius that Welker was told that he is no more of an injury risk to his knee than any other healthy player. Between this and him looking good two weeks in a row are we safe to assume that he should pick up where he left off last year?

I'm pretty sure if this was the case he wouldn't be running around out there with the largest knee brace I've ever seen under his uniform. I'm not saying he isn't playing well...but no way is he 100%

 

[dmac37]

Seeing Welker running down the field is a beautiful thing.

I heard on Sirius that Welker was told that he is no more of an injury risk to his knee than any other healthy player. Between this and him looking good two weeks in a row are we safe to assume that he should pick up where he left off last year?

I'm pretty sure if this was the case he wouldn't be running around out there with the largest knee brace I've ever seen under his uniform. I'm not saying he isn't playing well...but no way is he 100%

Actually that was another quote, Welker next goal is to get rid of that knee brace ASAP

 

[TheFanatic]

Taken off on the cart. Yeah, Spags that's probably your job right there. Probably a lame duck anyway with a new owner but this can't help...

What the devil are you talking about?

The Rams have a new owner as of today. An owner that did not hire Spags. The guy probably needs 6 wins to keep his job. Do you think the Rams can do that without Avery? With Avery it will be hard enough. Without? I like spags as a coach. But I doubt he's the Rams coach next year..

 

[joffer]

I loved all the Hernandez hype, Gronk was sliding into the 4th round of my rookie drafts while Hernandez was going in the 2nd.

 

[Abrantes]

Taken off on the cart. Yeah, Spags that's probably your job right there. Probably a lame duck anyway with a new owner but this can't help...

What the devil are you talking about?

The Rams have a new owner as of today. An owner that did not hire Spags. The guy probably needs 6 wins to keep his job. Do you think the Rams can do that without Avery? With Avery it will be hard enough. Without? I like spags as a coach. But I doubt he's the Rams coach next year..

I definitely believe they can still win six games, particularly with this year's schedule. Even if I didn't, though, Spagnuolo getting fired outright would be surprising. He took on a team that got 3 wins two seasons prior to his arrival. I doubt anyone's expecting a playoff team in 2010. Improvement is key, but I don't buy this six-win benchmark. Seems like a ludicrous claim to make in preseason, regardless.Just sad about Donnie Avery, though. Dude worked all offseason to add muscle and improve his durability, but couldn't avoid the knee injury. Hope he recovers well, however long it takes.

 

[Bob Magaw]

i think more important than won-loss record (unless they win 1-2 games again) is internal development & competitiveness...

both would demonstrate more competence from the coaching staff than last few regimes...

IF bradford is the real deal, that obviously is huge, as he is the key piece to the puzzle... that would reflect very well on everybody from devaney on down, to the coaching staff and scouting department...

given the amount spent on the OL, they need have a good year...

and the defense needs to show improvement...

if STL wins 3-4-5 games, but have close losses and are much more competitive (AND show development in above areas), i'm not sure they would want to disrupt the continuity...

bradford looked very good tonight (i liked the pick, and think he has a very bright future)... but he is a rookie... spags basically started with the equivalent of an expansion team in terms of the talent on the roster...

maybe bradford has a matt ryan-type impact and the rams shock the world... but given that STL only had six wins in their last three seasons COMBINED, it seems unlikely ownership has that over/under (6) as an EXPECTATION.

* i really would have liked to have seen what avery and bradford could have done together... they clicked for about 40-50 yards on two passes tonight... but i don't think the loss necessarily drastically impacts on their fortunes (whatever they are, and might have been)... avery and robinson were similar players... somebody like gibson, burton, foster (?) could partly pick up the slack... gilyard and amendola could help in the slot... and rookie TE hoo (not sure about onobun in 2010, as he is so raw) looked intriguing...

imo, if the OL is a disaster, avery wouldn't have mattered... if they develop, his loss won't be insurmountable...

 

[monkeysee]

I loved all the Hernandez hype, Gronk was sliding into the 4th round of my rookie drafts while Hernandez was going in the 2nd.

Using your logic the Rams TE Hoomanawanuiwooji is going to be great as well. Might as well drop Hernandez folks.