Tedy Bruschi impact
While the Patriots are staying in California for the week, linebacker Tedy Bruschi has returned home to Boston for further tests on his injured left knee.
Bruschi's left knee has been nagging him in recent weeks -- he's been limited in practices -- and the tipping point came when a teammate accidently fell on him with 14:04 remaining in the second quarter of Sunday's 24-21 win over the Seahawks. The blow knocked Bruschi out of the game.
The injury is not career-threatening, but it very well could end Bruschi's season because the Patriots -- with three weeks to chase a playoff berth -- might not have time to wait for him to recover.
What would the Patriots be missing without Bruschi?
First and foremost, a strong veteran presence. Bruschi has been a starter at the strongside inside linebacker spot in the team's 3-4 alignment, playing in 52 percent of the team's defensive snaps this season. He has mostly been a first- and second-down player, replaced in sub packages when the Patriots look to add more speed to the field in passing situations.
Entering Sunday's game against the Seahawks, coaches credited Bruschi with 69 tackles (36 solo), a total which ranked second on the team.
Bruschi's top backup for much of the season has been rookie Gary Guyton. Another option at the position would be veteran Junior Seau.
Comment
Permalink
Email
This makes the signing of Seau one hell of a brilliant move.
Get better Teddy!!
Wow.. Sorry to hear that. Teddy Bruschi has been a warrior the past 10+ years for the Patriots. Lets hope he makes a full recovery and is able to return next season.
Scott Pioli's first job this morning ..
Hi Steve (Nelson), this Scott Pioli. Are you doing anything this Sunday?
Tedy won't be missed. It's not like he's an impact player anymore. Time to cut bait and get younger.
Hobson picked up by another team I believe, will be interesting to see who they pick up
Tedy's had a great career, hope he gets better soon. But, it's time to move one, the pats need some young/fresh blood at linebacker. Mayo's been a one man tackling machine since he's come in, he needs some help.
yeah going to Junior seau is going younger. They have gone younger buddy.... They drafted 3 LB's in the draft. One of them is a starter, one of them isn't doing all too great and the other is on the PUP.
They need to figure out why they lead the league in injuries just about every yr. Either it's the training staff or the conditioning programs but this is becoming an epidemic with this team.
I watched the game tape again last night and saw the play where Bruschi got knocked out of the game with a knee injury. It looked more like a teammate hit his knee when lunging to make a play on a Seahawk rather than him falling on Bruschi's knee...
"They need to figure out why they lead the league in injuries just about every yr. Either it's the training staff or the conditioning programs but this is becoming an epidemic with this team. "
*****************************************************************
Hey Doctor, can you back up the diagnosis of "leading the league in injuries" with some actual evidence before ripping the trainers and all?
Bruschi has been a great "Patriot" over the years, but they won't miss him anywhere near as much as they miss Thomas. Their biggest weakness is on third down passing situations. In addition, he's been handled pretty well on running plays. The Pats are thin, slow and old at linebacker. Hopefully, they can pick someone up in the offseason. They won't go anywhere in the post season this year. They had their hands full stopping the second string of one of the weakest offenses in the NFL last Sunday.
Hey Bones,
How is a torn ACL or a broken forearm the fault of the trainers? You could make your claim if the entire team was going down with muscle pulls and strains but broken bones and torn ligaments are hardly the medical staff's fault.
Pats play smash mouth football. BB insists on it.
See "Ted Johnson concussions".
i think that they can do it!
i believe that not having tedy will suck, but the pats need to hang in there and get the job done.
Tedy is a huge loss for the Pats Tedy You will be missed If the Team needs Tedy I am sure even if he is hurt He will be right there Not like the rest of the ones on the injured list Cause Tedy plays for The love of Football
I'll freely admit to being uninformed about the role he plays, but back in 2001-2004 I can recall hearing his name on just about every drive where a significant defensive stop occurred. It seems like that has dropped off....
Bruschi is clearly a player that has been just as much a part of the Patriots as Troy Brown. I'm having trouble remembering how many of the patriots we still have from the first superbowl in 2001. Obviously Brady, but then who? Seymour? Vrabel?
Anyone able to complete/correct the list?
Bruschi's best playing days have now past, as is Rodney Harrison's, notice the similar situations?
Time to reload at LB, use the non Brady year to develop the youth, and bring in some new players.
i saw the replay of bruschis injury, 5 or 6 years ago he would have filled that gap and the runner would have been thrown for a loss, there would have been no sideline collisions.
The real Tedy Bruschi retired after he had that unfortunate stroke. Hopefully, he'll ride off into the sunset (like Rodney should) before he sullies his reputation anymore.
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
Patriots Twitter
ask reiss
Questions will be considered for Mike's mailbagbrowse this blog
by category