Would you bench some starters for the last few games in order to be fresh for the playoff run or would you go full speed ahead in order to assure your 16-0 season?
2007-12-10 00:40:19 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Football (American)
They still have to beat the Jets to get home field, so next week I hope its a big game and the Patriots do great (as always). The next week is the Dolphins, I think they should maybe try out some new plays, see how they work, for maybe half the game.The final game against the Giants, they should play the starters for maybe one or 2 quarters make sure they have the game in the bag and then take out the starters. These last 3 games seem so easy, I think Belichek, as well as the rest of the team, is going to want to go for the 16-0.
2007-12-10 00:50:37 · answer #1 · answered by Tabi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would keep the offensive starters in for a good part of the game (at least a half) but never throw a pass. The Patriot*** running game needs some work because as things stand now it is a liability. 16-0 means nothing whatsoever if they one and done the playoffs.
I would rest the Patriot*** defense and give them a chance to heal up. They haven't looked terribly good all year and I'd want them in the best shape they can be for the playoff run.
2007-12-10 01:04:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, here's why:
1. they'll have a bye week for the first playoff week to rest the starters.
2. If you look at the history of teams who clinched early, look no further than the colts in 2005 when they clinched by week 13 then rested their starters. When they finally played their first playoff game, the starters were out of sync and they lost.
3. They'll also want to send a message to the Jets and Dolphins, I wouldn't want to be a fan of either team this year.
Basically, unless a starter needs to sit they won't. You may see a heavier dose of Kyle Eckel in the 4th (Pats are pretty thin at RB and won't want to take the chance) but I expect them to throw for the remainder of the year.
2007-12-10 00:58:26 · answer #3 · answered by GPC 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The flip side to resting your starters is having them be rusty, especially with their playoff bye. If they lose either to the Jets or the Dolphins, I'd rest the starters the rest of the season. If they are 15-0 going into NY I'd play for the win and hope the bye week is enough to rest up
2007-12-10 00:46:46 · answer #4 · answered by Blake B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd play the starters the entire 1st half, and maybe all of the the 3rd quarter, if we were far enough ahead to just about guarantee a win. Besides, as we all know Belichick will do, he can bring Brady back in if we start to give up the lead too much.
2007-12-10 00:44:29 · answer #5 · answered by securesafe_man 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He won't be benching any of the starters, he believes in keeping them in top condition for the games ahead, in playing a full 60 minutes of football. He doesn't want them to tire out, like the Steelers did in the 3rd quarter. Also, with too long a rest, the team would become out of sync and lose their momentum. Look what too long a rest, didn to the Rockies, in the World Series, it threw their winning streak right off it's track.
2007-12-10 01:00:01 · answer #6 · answered by Foggy Idea 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Full speed baby. Run up the scoreboard and keep making these other teams look like JV players. Teach the league to keep their trash mouths shut. 13-0 baby!!! Enjoy the rest of the season Pats haters
2007-12-10 00:50:14 · answer #7 · answered by BaBaBooey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the last game i would play them in the first half, then let the subs play the rest. give the starters some extra time to breath a little because everyone in the NFL will be targetting the pats come playoff time. F*** going perfect. we don't care, we know how good we are. we don't need to go perfect to prove to anyone how great of a team we are in this league.
2007-12-10 00:47:52 · answer #8 · answered by wizeguy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think history has shown that resting players can come back to haunt you. besides, they have a bye week already. they have three easy games coming up. they will be ahead by so much, they will probably rest the starters for the 4th quarter so the score doesnt end up being 100-0.
2007-12-10 00:45:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Full Speed. The whole rest for the playoffs thing never works. All you do is lose rhythm and timing.
2007-12-10 00:51:53 · answer #10 · answered by Buy Sam a Drink 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋