APThe Patriots are as healthy as they have been all season, but they are still short one of their starting tackles.
Questionable Patriots like guard Logan Mankins, linebacker Brandon Spikes, and safety Patrick Chung are all active for Saturday night’s game against the Broncos. But tackle Sebastian Vollmer is out, meaning rookie Nate Solder will start against the Broncos.
Inactive for New England: Ryan Mallett, Nate Jones, Shane Vereen, Gary Guyton, Donald Thomas and Ron Brace.
Kevin Faulk is active over Vereen.
There were no surprises on the Broncos list. Brian Dawkins, Eric Decker, Julius Thomas, Lonnie Paxton, and Ryan Harris were among the players out for Denver.
Solder has a tough assignment ..Elvis Dumerville and/or Von Miller coming off the edge..
Solder takes care of business…
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Luckily, Solder has received a lot playing time in jumbo packages. You may also see 5th round pick Marcus Cannon get some reps. He’s gotten some opportunities lately after a stint on PUP. Either way, a rookie a tackle in a playoff game is worrisome.
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Expect the screen game to Faulk to be in play, but his activation over Vereen is likely for blitz pickup, which is a specialty of his. Fully expecting Denver to try and blitz up the middle in this one in an attempt to throw Brady off his game. Belichick makes a counter move…..
Being a Bronco Fan, I wish Vollmer a speedy recovery. It is too bad that players get injured, but hey, it’s football.
On an unrelated note, Jimmy Fallon did a spot on skit called “Tebowie” that is absolutely funny. Google it, it is worth waching. Even New England fans would approve.
That being said, GO BRONCOS!!!