Patriots' big guns almost certainly will be ruled out, clearing the way for another big game from Julian Edelman. Plus possible lineup changes on the offense. (Is Josh Boyce a sleeper this week?)
In case anybody missed it, the Patriots have listed Danny Amendola and Rob Gronkowski as doubtful. Both were limited in practice all week. It would be a major surprise if either played.
That should become official an hour or so before kickoff.
Shane Vereen, of course, is out for the this game. The Patriots have five other notable skill guys listed as questioned -- Brandon Bolden, Matthew Slater, Leon Washington, Aaron Dobson and Zach Sudfeld. All were limited in practice the last two days.
Washington looks like the frontrunner to be their Faulk/Woodhead running back -- a guy who'll run for about 20 yards and account for another 20-plus a receiver. Plus return kickoffs. He's a former Jet, if you're into that kind of thing. The Patriots don't have any other running backs with that kind of receiving ability.
Blount looks really slow. Hard to believe they used him on kickoffs last week. That's why Bolden is an interesting guy. If they decide to bench Ridley, it could be Bolden, not Blount, they want in the starting lineup.
When I went to the team site to look up the injury report, I glanced at the team depth chart, and it's weird. There are a number of notable changes there that could mean the team is souring on guys.
Kenbrell Thompkins had the tough opener, catching only 4 of 14 passes, with a dropped touchdown. He's been moved down to third string. So maybe their making a lineup change this week. Slater and Dobson are both questionable (plus Slater is more of a special teamer) so what about Josh Boyce showing up in the starting lineup this week?
Boyce had a couple of really nice plays in one of the preseason games -- an end-around that went for about 10 yards and he caught a 40ish-yard touchdown. I'm not ruling him out. But he seemed to make a mess of a play they ran for him at Buffalo. It was kind of a pick-type deal in the red zone, where Boyce was running inside the slot receiver and looking up for the ball. The timing wasn't right, and he didn't seem ready for the pass. But if you're in a larger league where pretty much everyone is on a roster, it makes sense to pick up Boyce, stick him on your bench, and re-evaluate his value after this game tonight.
Sudfeld has been dropped all the way to fourth string on the depth chart. Maybe they're souring on him and he's more of a 2014 guy now? If you're stuck for a tight end for Week 2, I think the Hawaiian fish guy -- Hoomanawanui -- could be your best option.
Edelman should be a total stud tonight, especially in a PPR format.
Final depth-chart note: Two running backs are listed as first-string guys, Ridley and Blount. Is this meant to motivate Ridley? Maybe. Blount looks terrible to me -- way too slow.
--Ian Allan
