Countdown Continues

4 Days, 7 Hours

It’s creeping closer to Super Bowl Sunday. The Patriots got past media day and now it’s time to focus on the big game. Bill has the team practicing in pads this week, getting them ready for a dog fight.

Don’t be surprised if the Patriots take the same approach they did against the Ravens. Run the ball. Shocker I know, but it would be effective. Even if they only get three or four yards a carry, it tires out the Giants front four. It allows the play action to be more effective, it gives Brady more time in the pocket. Most importantly it will give the Patriots defense the rest it needs.

Don’t be shocked if the Patriots come out with 3 tight end sets and run the ball. They did it effectively against the vaunted Ravens defense, so I don’t see why they can’t against the Giants also.

 Ben Jarvis will be crucial in the game. He will get the tough yards and extend the Patriots drives that will result in points.

Now you see the boot, now you don’t

Rob Gronkowski is the topic of discussion this week due to his injury. Well Gronk you just stirred the pot some more. I can’t say I was shocked that he walked out to his podium today without the boot. He might not be a hundred percent for Sunday, but he’s playing. He’s not going to miss this opportunity. He won’t be able to feel his body, never mind his ankle on Sunday night. He won’t need any shots I think the adrenaline of being in the Super Bowl will do the job.

I just want to make a point about the greatness of Bill Belichick. He gets every single player in a Patriots uniform to buy in. If you don’t, there’s the door. If you haven’t heard Gronk’s media presser today take a listen. Question after question about the ankle. Same answer every time. “Taking it day to day”, you swear it was Bill sitting at the podium.

 

All Business

Business to handle.

At the Patriots rally yesterday this phrase was reiterated multiple times. Jerod Mayo, Wes Welker, and Robert Kraft all spoke about handling their “business”. They have a chip on their shoulder and they know they let a ring slip off their finger in 2007.

It’s no secret that the Belichick- Brady window is closing and every opportunity is crucial. Bill knows it, Tom knows it, all of New England knows it. I expect Bill to let loose, try anything and everything to get extra possessions for the offense. Belichick is great at taking away what a team does best. What the Giants do best is throw to Victor Cruz. Eli Manning targeted Cruz over and over again in the San Francisco game. So the Pats defense will bump him at the line and get him off his route. This will give the front four that extra second or two it may need to get pressure on Eli.

The Patriots should be able to contain Bradshaw and Jacobs in the run game. Brandon Spikes and Jerod Mayo should be very aggressive on early downs and press the gaps to hold runs to short gains. Limiting the running game should make the Giants predictable and one dimensional. The Patriots corners will then be able to just focus on the wide receivers of the Giants.

The Patriots must respect their responsibilities on defense. If  they play team defense it will give the Patriots offense a few more possessions on offense which could be the difference in the game.

The countdown has officially begun. 7 more days until Super Bowl Sunday.

 

 

Gronk Nation

All of New England knows about Gronk Nation. After last nights game the whole country does. Gronk now has eight touchdowns this year. He has continued his dominance from last year and has become one of Brady’s favorite targets. After watching last nights game I began to think to myself. Is Rob Gronkowski the best tight end in the NFL?

Let me know your opinion and if you don’t think he is. Who is in your opinion?