BOSTON SPORTS CHICK
  • BLOG
  • DEFLATEGATE
  • GUEST BLOGS
  • GENERAL SPORTS/HOT TOPICS

TIGHT ENDS WILL BE THE KEY TO PATRIOTS/COLTS GAME 

11/13/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Whenever Rob Gronkowski suits up to play in an NFL game, there is a good chance that he will be a difference maker.  Now add to the mix the fact that he is both healthy and playing against a defense which has had trouble defending tight ends, and you can pretty much guarantee it.  With that being said, why doesn't my title give props to Gronk you ask.
Without a doubt I can guarantee you that Gronk is going to be the difference maker for the Patriots Sunday night.  Although it's been a while since Gronk has gone against the Colts, I'm sure they remember the exhibition he put on against them last time.  Almost two years to the day Gronkowski caught all 7 of the passes that Brady threw his direction.  While 7 receptions is a pretty run of the mill day for Gronk, 137 yards and 2 touchdowns is still pretty impressive.

Besides guaranteeing that Gronk will be the difference maker Sunday night, I also guarantee that the Colts will be doing everything they can to try and shut him down.  This my friends is where some other players will see their opportunities to rack up some yards.  When the Colts try and shut down Gronk by giving him some extra attention, other players on the Patriots roster are sure to be open.  Unlike September Tom Brady, October/November Tom Brady is getting the ball to the open receiver. 

As usual Julian Edelman and Shane Vereen will factor into the Patriots' offense.  In the aforementioned game Edelman had 1 carry for 47 yards and 5 receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown.  That was his second touchdown of the game as he had previously returned a punt 68 yards to tie the score at 14 all.  Vereen had one reception for 11 yards to go along with his 40 yards rushing on 11 carries.  By the way, he also had a touchdown in that game.

More recently the Patriots played the Colts last January in the playoffs.  That game was much different as Gronk was sidelined and Brady only completed 13 passes.  Of course the Patriots came up one point shy of doubling up the Colts with their 43-22 victory, so no need to be concerned about TB12.  Of his 13 completions, 6 went to Edelman (84 yards) and 2 went to Vereen (16 yards).  The 6 touchdowns the Patriots scored all went to typical running backs with Blount running in 4 and Ridley running in 2 of his own and a 2 point conversion.  
So far we've looked at two ways Gronk may dominate the game, one as a play-maker and one as the ultimate decoy.  Now we will look at two more players who also happen to play the tight end position for the Patriots.  First up is Michael Hoomanawanui.  The Hooman has not had a lot to do with the Patriots' offense yet this season as he has only caught 2 passes.  With the Colts struggling against tight ends, I wouldn't be surprised to see a play or two with 3 tight ends lined up.  This season the Patriots have scored 3 touchdowns when lining up three tight ends, so expect to see this set up in the red zone. 

Fellow tight end, Tim Wright has been much more involved in the Patriots offense this season.  The latest Rutgers alum will likely be a big part of the offense on Sunday.  According to ESPN statistics, Wright has had 17 receptions on 18 targets this season with three touchdowns.  If Wright ends up going unnoticed on the stats sheet, you might rewatch the game and see how his play on the field is helping out Brady and Gronk.
If you like what you've read here, share with your friends and follow @BOSsportschick on twitter.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture

    ARCHIVES

    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013

    OTHER BLOGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT

    New England Sports Talk
    Kap Lifestyle

    RSS Feed

    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photo from Eric Kilby