The Patriots downgraded CB Willie Andrews, TE Kyle Brady, RB Kyle Eckel, OT Nick Kaczur and G Stephen Neal to out, and signed CB Antwain Spann off the practice squad.
Here is a quick look at the impact of these moves:
Andrews is a core special teams performer and excels as a gunner on the punt coverage unit. Spann, who played in 11 games (including playoffs) for the Patriots last season, is a likely candidate to fill that role.
With Brady out once again, it will be interesting to see if the Patriots activate Benjamin Watson (ankle), or once again go into a game with just one pure tight end (Stephen Spach). The Patriots continue to operate short-handed at tight end.
Eckel is the team's fourth running back, so the team currently has just three pure running backs available -- Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk and Heath Evans. That is thin for a game-day, 45-man roster. Eckel's loss also affects special teams, and safety Ray Ventrone is a candidate to fill those responsibilities.
With Kaczur missing his first game of the season due to a foot injury, the Patriots will turn to either Ryan O'Callaghan or Wesley Britt, both of whom are second-year players. O'Callaghan would likely get the call, as he has a bit more experience, having started six games last season. The Giants lead the league with 52 sacks and can pressure well off the edge, so this is a blow for the Patriots to not have their starting right tackle. Kaczur started all 15 games to this point.
With Neal out once again, seven-year veteran Russ Hochstein should slide into that starting spot at right guard.
The Patriots will deactivate three more players before kickoff tonight.
Where does Billy Yates fall in the backup's depth chart? I thought he would start at RG and Hochstein would start at RT?
The right side of the OL is out? I'll give the replacements a chance but if Brady gets hit too many times in the first series then yank him. 16-0 is nice. But the Super Bowl should remain the top priority.
Thanks Scott Picco, you obviously know more about this team (and football) than Belichick does. Let's all hope he listens to you.
Great insight Louie.
what is the extent of the injury? what is turnaround time to get back onto the field?
Don't be surprised if O'Callaghan has the game of his life tonight!
BB obviously has faith in him, or he wouldn't have started 6 games last season.
Tonight is his opportunity to go all-out & I'm sure he will...what better opportunity is there for him to prove he deserves a permanent spot on future Patriot rosters?
I hope he mops the floor with Strahan tonight & is the one who Brady carries off the field on HIS shoulders!
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