Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff
With the division title and a playoff berth clinched, the big question for the Patriots this week involves how to approach the Titans game; play to win or play it safe.
Bill Belichick and the players always pay lip service to approaching a meaningless game the same way they approach every matchup, but that hasn’t necessarily proven to be the case in the past. Last year the Pats basically tanked against
Prior to that, Belichick played his available starters (Brady included) most of the way against
The best guess for this week; something similar to last year. Expect everyone to play, but with the youngsters and backups seeing an increased workload. Brady will also play, because his streak of consecutive starts, while meaningless to most of us, is very important to him. Check out what the Pats QB had to say Wednesday when asked about the hit he took last week in
“It’s part of the paying the price. You do everything you can in the offseason to try to prepare for that. You try to strengthen every part of your body. You try to stay in great shape, limber, you try to be flexible, and, you know, try to do a lot of those things over the years and incorporate a bunch of different things to my training program so that when those things come up, you’re not one hit and out of the game. So I think I’ve always said I’m real proud of the fact that I’ve hung in there as a guy [for] who the knock on him coming out [of college] was too skinny, too weak, can’t run, can’t do any of that. At least I feel like I’ve tried to overcome a lot of those things. I’ve been in there, hung in there a bunch of games in a row, knock on wood. So we’ll just try to keep that up and try to keep that streak alive.�
Sounds like a guy who’s playing this week. And one who still carries a bit of a “6th round draft pick� chip on his shoulder.
What do you think? How should the Patriots approach this game? Do you care if they have a chance to move up to the #3 seed? Is there a team you’d rather they avoid in the first round? How about beyond that?
Unfortunately, It really does not matter what the patriots do against the Titans. I am of the school that these guys are paid professional and should play all regular season games and playoff games. As far as resting them for the playoffs, with the AFC being such a tough decision and the way the Patriots have looked this year, it really won't matter because they will not be making the Superbowl this year. I am writing from Florida and am unfortunately a Tampa BAy Bucs fan. I have learned to appreciate the Patriots thru my cousin who moved down from Mass. In the past, the Patriots had a brilliance to their play which was respected and feared. Although at times they have showed glimpses of thier past greatness, it just looks like this years team is not in sync, including Brady. I understand losing Branch hurts, but the Brady has not been as acurate as he has been in the past and it is showing this year on the field. The defense has also not been as dominating as it has been in the past. I really hope that the Patriots can make some noise in the playoffs.... I just don't see it happening .
Posted by T4 | December 27, 2006 7:16 PM
Posted on December 27, 2006 19:16
Yes, I'd like to see them avoid Denver. For some reason, contrary to what the announcers were saying during the Denver/Cincy game that most teams would rather play the Broncos than the Bengals, I don't see as the case at all. Especially for the Pats who can't seem to contain the run against Shanahan's teams. Ted Johnson has even said that the Broncos are in the Patriots players heads that they can't stop the run. Now that's saying something. I'm praying for a miracle, but it looks like Broncos at NE. I just hope the better team actually wins, but matchups are everything and the Broncos are the only team I see capable of derailing the Pats quest for #4. I'm 50/50 on this one if it happens.
Posted by T2 | December 27, 2006 10:41 PM
Posted on December 27, 2006 22:41
I agree with T2, the Bengals do not scare me. Last year was their year. Denver, however, is another story. Shanahan is a heck of a coach, while Lewis has absolutely no control over the criminals in Cincy. As far as the Titans game is concerned, I have a feeling Bill will rest his key players. After all, a win or loss in that game would not significantly affect the Pats, right??? T4 is obviously a very foolish man from Florida. " They are paid proffesionals and should play... blah, blah, blah". This is pure nonsense. If the game is not important, then why risk injusy to key players? I have visited Florida on many occasions and talked sports with plenty of people there, and that is the type of nonsense that i've come to expect from Floridians. Too much time in the sun i guess. Anyway, i hope that Bill does rest his big guns, especially on defense. Vince Young is on my fantasy team.
Posted by BIG ERN | December 28, 2006 7:00 PM
Posted on December 28, 2006 19:00
I didn't realize how fun this blogging can really be! Ahhh the inevitable Bostonian chimes in with his two cents about Floridians. Fact is, it really does not matter if he plays his guys or not against the Titans. In the standings it really won't matter and an experienced team like the Pats really doesn't have to worry about their guys cooling off because they are to professional for that. Now about the playoffs and potential match ups, I really think that you Bostonians should be worried about both Cincy and Denver... I understand that the Pats have experience and that they can beat anyone on any given Sunday, but I think Cincy has the same potential, especially with the offensive weapons they have. Denver always seems to give the Patriots a hard time, but I think that their weakness is going to be the inexperience of Cutler and the Pats may be able to exploit that, but even if they get out of the first round, I don't think the Patriots aren't going to make the AFC championship... Like all Bostonians I am going to hear all the chatter about Brady this,Harrison that, etc, etc, etc, but if you guys cannot see that your team s just not as good as previous years and that you had a favorable schedule on top of that.. then well I guess we can talk during the playoffs...
Posted by T4 | December 29, 2006 1:01 AM
Posted on December 29, 2006 01:01
OK, is T4 smoking something? The Bengals have the same potential as the Pats? Pick up a newspaper my friend. The Bengals are awful when it comes to substance. Ever heard of a paper tiger? And this is great fun isn't it?
Posted by BIG ERN | December 29, 2006 9:17 PM
Posted on December 29, 2006 21:17