January 6, 2007

ALL ABOUT HEALTH:

Set for playoff run: Ground game key to Pats’ hopes (John Tomase, 1/06/07, Boston Herald)

The plan was for the Patriots [team stats] to feature a two-headed monster on the ground this season. And for a time, they did.

Rookie Laurence Maroney [stats] and veteran Corey Dillon [stats] started like the second coming of Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner. Through four games, Maroney was on pace for 1,200 yards and Dillon 950. The two already had combined to kill the clock in victories over the Bills, Jets and Bengals.

Then the pace slowed. Dillon often waved himself out while battling a neck stinger. Torn rib cartilage sidelined Maroney for almost three full games down the stretch. Neither finished with 1,000 yards.

The two appear healthy now, however, and along with third-down specialist Kevin Faulk and blocking fullback Heath Evans, hope to be leaned on now that the second season has arrived.

“That’s what we want to do as a team,” Faulk said. “We want to establish our running game.”


Unfortunately, a couple iffy games when they were banged up means they don't get a bye and drew the toughest first round opponent. The re-injury of Rodney Harrison doesn't help either. Too bad they're not in the NFC, which is a cakewalk.

Posted by Orrin Judd at January 6, 2007 8:41 AM
Comments

Correction oj: The NFC is a cakewalk in a candy store...unfortunately the "Super Bowl" won't be as exciting as the AFC Championship game. Or, for that matter, the AFC semifinals.

Posted by: Bartman at January 6, 2007 9:09 AM

I'd keep an eye on the Iggles, though. Finished the season on the upswing.

Posted by: Rick T. at January 6, 2007 10:59 AM

Tonight the Sea-Turkeys have a night home game. The previous three this season were followed by flooding, a snowstorm, and then a windstorm (the one that left me, in the middle of town, w/o power for 145 hours.) I expect an earthquake tonight.

Go 'Sonics, and take the Seahawks with you!

Posted by: Raoul Ortega at January 6, 2007 12:25 PM

It will be a shock if the Pats don't win by at least 14. The Jet's run at the end of the season came against below 500 teams. The only winning team the Jets beat was the Pats and that game has all sorts of asterisks next to it.

It does appear that whomever the NFC offers up will be beat up by the AFC.

Posted by: AWW at January 6, 2007 5:25 PM
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