Titans Week: Brady misses Friday practice with "illness"

[DJnVa]

Is this game an afterthought because the Pats are 14 point favorites?

The Titans are 9th against the pass this year and 17th against the run, overall a pretty middle of the pack 13th in defense.

They don't have much of a run game, as no running back has gone over 100 yards. Mariota has been decent this season, with a 91.9 rating and 19 TDs to go along with 10 INTs and 7 fumbles. I have a hard time seeing how the Titans sustain any drive (outside of the 1 or 2 where Mariota makes a play) and can't really see them scoring or moving the ball much more than the Texans did.

 

[RedOctober3829]

I watched them play the Jets last week. They had the look of a team that had frankly given up. Mariota was running for his life and the defense had countless breakdowns including leaving Marshall uncovered for a 75 yard TD.

 

[tims4wins]

Yeah well the Eagles were left for dead too. Don't think it is gonna be a 49-3 type of game, but do expect the Pats D to hold well and the offense to do enough to win by 2-3 scores. Just praying for no injuries. Expecting something like 27-10.

 

[BusRaker]

I see Nink and Jamie Collins eating MM alive. I wonder what the over/under for Titan turnovers is ...

 

[H78]

This game reeks of a 41-10 kind of blowout. I don't see the Titans stopping Gronk without freeing up the rest of our receivers. They don't have many guys who seem to excel in man coverage; I think we're going to move the ball extremely well against them unless - God forbid - the special teams and/or injury bugs hits again.

 

[Valek123]

I'd love to see an up 3 tds, pull Brady mid-possession put in JG to get him sometime under center with two AFC east battles coming up against teams that arguably have something to play for.

I also hope MM lives through the game, I love watching that young man(I've got family from Eugene so Oregon sports have been my team away from home for many years), and I want to see him succeed - just not in this game necessarily.

 

[DJnVa]

I'd love to see an up 3 tds, pull Brady mid-possession put in JG to get him sometime under center with two AFC east battles coming up against teams that arguably have something to play for. .

The Dolphins have nothing to play for, they've been eliminated from playoff contention.

 

[mauf]

I watched them play the Jets last week. They had the look of a team that had frankly given up. Mariota was running for his life and the defense had countless breakdowns including leaving Marshall uncovered for a 75 yard TD.

That was their worst game since Mariota came back from injury. In the previous 5, they had 4 one-score games (2-2 in those) and a 17-point loss to Carolina.

It's a game the Pats should win, especially in Foxboro, but I actually draw the opposite conclusion you do from the Jets game -- I would prefer not to play a team that got embarrassed in their last game. The Titans probably don't have the horses to win, but they'll be fired up.

 

[DJnVa]

That was their worst game since Mariota came back from injury. In the previous 5, they had 4 one-score games (2-2 in those) and a 17-point loss to Carolina.

It's a game the Pats should win, especially in Foxboro, but I actually draw the opposite conclusion you do from the Jets game -- I would prefer not to play a team that got embarrassed in their last game. The Titans probably don't have the horses to win, but they'll be fired up.

Those games were against the Jaguars (twice), Raiders, and Saints. No exactly murderer's row.

The Pats know they caught a huge break last week with the Denver and Cincy losses and I can't imagine that a Titans team out of the playoff race is going to bring more fired up-ness to the field than NE.

 

[Tony C]

I actually draw the opposite conclusion you do from the Jets game -- I would prefer not to play a team that got embarrassed in their last game. The Titans probably don't have the horses to win, but they'll be fired up.

Exactly my reaction, and the example is Philly who we played after they got embarrassed and players called out for not giving their all. Players may give up on a team or a coach, but if given a reminder that their effort is on tape and their jobs are on the line they tend to come back all in. Not that I truly fear the Titans, but I'd feel better if they hadn't rolled over for the Jets and been subject to mockery in that regard.

 

[C4CRVT]

I feel pretty confident about the Pats winning this game. The Titans are ranked on FO:

Defense- #21 (#21 pass/ #25 rush)
Offense- #27 (#27 pass/ #26 rush)
Special Teams #30

Gronk will continue to be used sparingly to keep just enough drives going to score in the high 20s/low 30s. The Titans will struggle to move the ball effectively.

Just win and pretty please, no new injuries!!!

 

[Kevin Youkulele]

I feel pretty confident about the Pats winning this game. The Titans are ranked on FO:

Defense- #21 (#21 pass/ #25 rush)
Offense- #27 (#27 pass/ #26 rush)
Special Teams #30

Gronk will continue to be used sparingly to keep just enough drives going to score in the high 20s/low 30s. The Titans will struggle to move the ball effectively.

Just win and pretty please, no new injuries!!!

By way of confirmation, I think last time I looked the 538 ELO rankings had them at the bottom too. The way ELO works, you can't be at the bottom unless you've been losing to other bad teams a lot.

 

[soxhop411]

Doug Kyed ‏@DougKyed 11s11 seconds ago
Weird: No Brady, Gronk, Stork at practice. No Eric Martin, Jonathan Freeny either. Devin McCourty has returned.

Phil Perry ‏@PhilAPerry 11s11 seconds ago
Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Bryan Stork, Jonathan Freeny and Eric Martin all missing from the start of Pats practice. Devin McCourty is here.

 

[soxhop411]

Tom E. Curran ‏@tomecurran 1m1 minute ago
Rob Gronkowski not out for practice on Friday but it's not injury-related, I'm told.

Jim McBride ‏@globejimmcbride 26s26 seconds ago
#Patriots QB Tom Brady was not at practice today because he was sick, according to a team source.

 

[Corsi]

woops

 

[E5 Yaz]

Corsi must have pinked soxhop

 

[RedOctober3829]

Hope this isn't a Jamie Collins type "illness".

 

[Corsi]

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet 10s10 seconds ago
#Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski missed practice with a personal issue that won't affect his status, source said. Meanwhile, Tom Brady is sick

 

[RedOctober3829]

 

[Bunt4aTriple]

This is 31 flavors-esque, but my co-worker is family friends with a girl engaged to one of Gronk's crew. The crew member died in his sleep last night. He's the guy that was in the video of the magician hiding the phone in the football or whatever it was, but he's in every party bus photo.

 

[Corsi]

This is 31 flavors-esque, but my co-worker is family friends with a girl engaged to one of Gronk's crew. The crew member died in his sleep last night. He's the guy that was in the video of the magician hiding the phone in the football or whatever it was, but he's in every party bus photo.

Looks like this checks out. Dana Parenteau.

Dana Paranteau of RI a service manager for many years and worked with me for 5, passed away in his sleep last night. He wife told my friends that he was breathing irregularly and then his hear gave out. In the magic show last week, Gronk said that he was his trainer, which he is not, just great friends. Dana let Gronk live with him his first few years with Pats.

http://sportshoop.la/threads/gronks-best-friend-dies-42-last-night-in-his-sleep.199333/

 

[mwonow]

That's a real shame - 42 is way too young.

 

[Corsi]

Jeff Howe ‏@jeffphowe 1m1 minute ago
Tom Brady's illness is not a big deal, and he is expected to play Sunday, per source.

Mike Reiss ‏@MikeReiss 8s9 seconds ago
Told that Tom Brady’s absence from practice Friday shouldn’t affect his availability for Sunday’s game, barring an unexpected turn.

 

[Corsi]

Doug Kyed ‏@DougKyed 45s45 seconds ago
Bryan Stork's chair is folded up by his locker at Gillette.

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

Doug Kyed ‏@DougKyed 45s45 seconds ago
Bryan Stork's chair is folded up by his locker at Gillette.

Is this code or something?

 

[RedOctober3829]

Is this code or something?

It means that he hasn't been in the facility today.

 

[BigJimEd]

McCourty is practicing?

I have no idea what the folded chair means.

 

[Dogman]

It means that he hasn't been in the facility today.

Or it means he spilled something and then went to a meeting and the staff folded up his chair to clean up after him. With that shoe story earlier in the week, it's pretty clear he is a very superstitious slob.

I know it likely means he wasn't around today, I just wanted to call him a slob based on that disgusting shoe story. Then again, he did help solidify the line in route to the SB win last year so I suppose I should find him colorful.

 

[soxhop411]

Doug Kyed ‏@DougKyed 30s30 seconds ago
Stork's absense was not injury related.

 

[soxhop411]

Doug Kyed ‏@DougKyed 2m2 minutes ago
Tom Brady is questionable to play Sunday with an illness.

Jeff Howe ‏@jeffphowe 2m2 minutes ago
Eric Martin has been ruled out. He is now listed with a concussion. It was an illness yesterday.

Mark Daniels ‏@MarkDanielsPJ 2m2 minutes ago
Questionable for the Patriots: Brady, McCourty, Schandler, Chung, Hightower, Kline and, Slater

Mike Reiss ‏@MikeReiss 3m3 minutes ago
Patriots officially rule LB Jonathan Freeny (hand) and LB Eric Martin (concussion) as out for Sunday's game

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

Anyone check the upscale movie theater in Foxboro for players ducking out on practice to catch Star Wars?

 

[Spelunker]

Anyone check the upscale movie theater in Foxboro for players ducking out on practice to catch Star Wars?

A few folks on my team missed work today with an 'illness'.

 

[RedOctober3829]

This is why Gronk missed practice.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

Or it means he spilled something and then went to a meeting and the staff folded up his chair to clean up after him. With that shoe story earlier in the week, it's pretty clear he is a very superstitious slob.

I know it likely means he wasn't around today, I just wanted to call him a slob based on that disgusting shoe story. Then again, he did help solidify the line in route to the SB win last year so I suppose I should find him colorful.

Why is it so disgusting he wears a pair of cleats for a full season? I understand he can get new shoes for free whenever a he wants, but is it really that disgusting? Is it any grosser than the same pair of pads or the same helmet for a season? Cup?

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

I'm certainly not a professional athlete but I've never understood guys who use a new pair of shoes or cleats for every game. I find them extremely uncomfortable until they are broken in for a week or so. I believe Jordan wore a brand new pair every game.

 

[Dogman]

Why is it so disgusting he wears a pair of cleats for a full season? I understand he can get new shoes for free whenever a he wants, but is it really that disgusting? Is it any grosser than the same pair of pads or the same helmet for a season? Cup?

I don't recall saying the cleats were only for a season. I read that Stork wore them until they wore out. So it is more than possible that, because of his injuries, he wore them last season too. That's does not pass the basic hygiene test. Pads, helmets, and cups are in the same category but the story didn't say a word about it.

Hell, players are very superstitious and likely think flies are lucky.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

Meh. A locker room is going to smell like shit, as are most football players. Better that than blisters from new cleats.

Edit: how long do you think the average minor league baseball player wears a pair of cleats for? Further, how long does a pair of athletic shoes last you, personally?

 

[joe dokes]

Doug Kyed ‏@DougKyed 2m2 minutes ago
Tom Brady is questionable to play Sunday with an illness.

Jeff Howe ‏@jeffphowe 2m2 minutes ago
Eric Martin has been ruled out. He is now listed with a concussion. It was an illness yesterday.

Mark Daniels ‏@MarkDanielsPJ 2m2 minutes ago
Questionable for the Patriots: Brady, McCourty, Schandler, Chung, Hightower, Kline and, Slater

Mike Reiss ‏@MikeReiss 3m3 minutes ago
Patriots officially rule LB Jonathan Freeny (hand) and LB Eric Martin (concussion) as out for Sunday's game

Martin probably did feel sick yesterday...and then was diagnosed with a concussion. Dr. Howe's snark is uncalled for.
I try to follow along....but.....Schandler?

 

[tims4wins]

I don't read that as snarky.

Schandler = S Chandler

 

[joe dokes]

I don't read that as snarky.

Schandler = S Chandler

Got the chandler seconds before i saw yours.

I took "It was an illness yesterday" as being somehow unusual or noteworthy. Probably just the limitations of twitter. (OTOH--Its football, so its not impossible that he *was* just sick a couple of days ago, then suffered a concussion on his return to practice. So I may have jumped the gun.)

 

[BannedbyNYYFans.com]

Howe is generally only snarky to Volin on twitter. And that's awesome.

 

[nothumb]

I don't recall saying the cleats were only for a season. I read that Stork wore them until they wore out. So it is more than possible that, because of his injuries, he wore them last season too. That's does not pass the basic hygiene test. Pads, helmets, and cups are in the same category but the story didn't say a word about it.

Hell, players are very superstitious and likely think flies are lucky.

Really? 2 years is past the expiration date on a pair of sneakers? I've been wearing the same pair to the gym for 7 or 8 now. You are allowed to wash them or spray some shit in them when they get funky.

 

[Al Zarilla]

Really? 2 years is past the expiration date on a pair of sneakers? I've been wearing the same pair to the gym for 7 or 8 now. You are allowed to wash them or spray some shit in them when they get funky.

How about MLB players that wear the same lucky hat for months and they show dried salt from sweat stains? As for Stork's cleats, there is a reason God put our feet and where the sun don't shine far from our nose.

 

[Leather]

There are marathoners who train for and run multiple races in the same shoes. Not recommended, but it just works for some folks. Others need new shoes every 200 miles or they get repetitive use injuries. Bodies are funny.

 

[Byrdbrain]

For those that can't see Doug Kyed of NESN is saying Joey Iosefa will be signed off the practice squad. I assume if they are doing that he will be active.

 

[soxfan121]

Really? 2 years is past the expiration date on a pair of sneakers? I've been wearing the same pair to the gym for 7 or 8 now. You are allowed to wash them or spray some shit in them when they get funky.

The tagline is strong in this post, @Dogman2.

 

[simplyeric]

One season for a pair of shoes? That's nothing. Brady has had the same wife for years!!! No wonder he's sick.

Speaking of which: are we seriously looking at Janeane Garappolo on Sunday? Or is Brady's illness not going to be enough of a problem?

 

[lexrageorge]

One season for a pair of shoes? That's nothing. Brady has had the same wife for years!!! No wonder he's sick.

Speaking of which: are we seriously looking at Janeane Garappolo on Sunday? Or is Brady's illness not going to be enough of a problem?

I think it's more probable than not that the Pats are being extra cautious with the injury report when it comes to Brady. Listing him as questionable means that the Pats are covered in case the illness gets worse and keeps Brady from playing. Maybe the chances of that happening are 5%, but that's enough for the Pats. Otherwise, imagine the media shitstorm and resulting league investigation that would occur if Brady should be listed as probable (which means he has a 25% of not playing) and he has to sit.

 

[Phil Plantier]

Are castoffs from Tampa the new Rutgers?

And will Iosefa be the slowest Patriot RB since Marion Butts? So many doomed toss sweeps...

 

[RedOctober3829]