Cheap labor

Page 4 of 5 -- A: Jackson tried to apologize to him, but from what I hear it was not accepted.

ADVERTISEMENT

Did it come as a surprise to you that the Pats did not retain Mike Cloud ? Since the Pats are dangerously thin at the position because of injuries to Faulk and Cobb, I would have thought Cloud would have provided some insurance. Good to see you back!
Mark, New York, NY

A: A little surprised. Cloud was making the veteran minimum, and at the time the Patriots needed cap space so they opted to go with what they had. They do have Cedric Cobbbs returning around midseason and it appears they like his potential. They also have Patrick Pass around and he can always be used in a pinch and a change-of-pace guy. I'm going to assume that Kevin Faulk is back this week.

I can't see one glaring detail that is not covered and executed in the entire Patriot scheme. Someone always ready to step in, players looking out for each other, no excuses, no blank stares at what to do, nothing. It just seems that everyone is on the same page over, and over again. Last year when Indy was at the one, Peyton Manning said they didn't have the right personal because of injuries and couldn't execute the plays. I say the coaches didn't practice for this situation and got caught short. Can't see a Patriot team in this fix. What am I missing Nick? What glaring issue is not coming to the surface?
David, Jupiter, Fla.

A: I agree. Every week I read that the Patriots need to improve this or that, and I get a good laugh. They make big plays when they need to. If they make mistakes they're good enough to recover. They've done it time and time again. I was speaking to Stephen Neal, the guard, who told me that just a few days before the Buffalo game that Belichick was preaching that if they're ever in a situation where you're chasing someone who has recovered a fumble or intercepted a pass and you're close to the end zone, make sure you try to knock the ball out forward so it goes through the end zone so it'll be a touch back. What happens in the Buffalo game? London Fletcher is going in for a score after recovering David Givens' fumble, and here comes Neal diving toward Fletcher who tries to extend himself at the 2 so he can score, and Neal knocks the ball loose goes out of the end zone and ruled a touchback. Patriots ball. The play was reviewed and called an incomplete pass, but it goes to show you how prepared they are. I don't believe there is a glaring area to be concerned about. Special teams was awful last week, but they've always been strong in that area and they'll correct it. Run defense could also be better.   Continued...