Dillon helping Brady take more risks
Page 2 of 6 -- A: Cleveland has become such a graveyard for coaches. One disaster after another since Belichick in '95 with a team that was leaving town. I spent some time talking to Pioli this week and he said he's not leaving until his contract is up after the '06 draft, and all we can do is hold him to his word. I agree that Weis and Crennel will definitely be under consideration. It all depends how long the Browns can wait to name a coach. Can they wait until after the Super Bowl and consider Weis or Crennel? Or will they try to lure Nick Saban, another guy with Cleveland roots? Browns fans are so passionate about football that they deserve good coaching and good management. They haven't had it for years. For decades, really.
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Any word on Matt Light's injury? Is he the key component to that offensive line? If he's out are the Patriots in trouble? Maybe not against the Browns, I'm thinking more down the road.
Roger, Somerville
A: He's good to go. He said the ankle injury last Sunday against the Ravens looked worse than it was. He practiced Wednesday, and barring a setback, he'll be on the field Sunday. I agree that Light is a huge part of that offense. When he got hurt a couple of weeks ago and they had to switch Brandon Gorin from right tackle to left tackle, it wasn't pretty. Gorin has done a nice job at right tackle, but has problems moving to the other side.
Unlike the past two seasons, the Patriots have had some comfortable wins this year. They had 20+ point wins against the Rams, Bills & Ravens. Why do they play Tom Brady almost the entire game and not give Rohan Davey or Jim Miller some garbage time? Brady has been hit a lot this year and it would seem to me that he could use the rest and not risk getting hurt in games that the outcome is already decided. Furthermore, it gives the back-up QBs game time experience, which in Davey's situation is critical. I'm not saying they should pull Brady after three quarters in these blowouts but I think they can pull the trigger a little quicker for the reasons mentioned above.
KC, New Jersey
A: It says a lot about the good state of Patriots football that we are having this discussion. I'm of the school of thought you pull the starter for the backup when the lead is comfortable. The problem is, the coach seems to have a different opinion of comfortable than everyone else. You can understand why he would think that way, but I'd like to see Davey or Miller get some snaps. Though I must admit the situation they'd be coming in wouldn't be indicative of the situation they might be forced into should Brady go down. But I hear what you're saying. You'd hate to have a guy hurt when the game is in hand. But I also think certain guys shouldn't play both ways. Continued...