New England Patriots Stock Watch: Everybody Up To The Super Bowl
By Cyrus Geller
Here is this week’s New England Patriots stock watch:
Up
LeGarrette Blount
Blount just loves playing the Indianapolis Colts. After going for four touchdowns in last year’s divisional playoff game against Indy, Blount showed up last night and went for 148 yards on 30 carries, and three more touchdowns. Blount doesn’t explode through the hole like some backs do, but he is extremely tough to bring down, and that was on full display against the Colts.
Darrelle Revis
The Patriots brought Revis in to help them win a Super Bowl, and with his help they are one step closer to accomplishing that goal. Number 24 was targeted twice by my count by Andrew Luck, and he had one pass defended, and one interception. The lesson here? Don’t visit ‘Revis Island’.
Offensive Line
Even with center Bryan Stork sidelined with a knee injury, the Patriots were dominant at the point of attack, as they paved way for 177 rushing yards, and gave Brady plenty of time back in the pocket all game long. In fact, the only time Brady was sacked was when the Pats went to a funky four-offensive lineman set. Big game for the boys up front, especially Josh Kline, who stepped in and was lights out at right guard.
Julian Edelman
Edelman was beat up early and often in this game, but he toughed it out, fighting through a few injuries to help New England advance to the Super Bowl. Edelman caught nine balls for 98 yards on 11 targets, coming with big first down after first down. Edelman is going to have a tough challenge against Seattle, but I think he will be up to it.
Rob Ninkovich
Ninkovich has struggled for a good portion of 2014, but he was awesome against Indy. He set the edge in the run game, and early on, he was the only one consistently putting some pressure on Luck. Ninkovich is going to be one of the most important players on the field for the Pats against Seattle, as setting the edge against Lynch and Wilson is key.
Kyle Arrington
Aside from a ridiculous pitch and catch from Luck to T.Y. Hilton in the second quarter, Kyle Arrington had Hilton under lock and key all game long. Arrington has emerged as one of the key components to this elite secondary, and he proved his worth as “T.Y. killer” in this one.
Down
Peyton Manning
Heh heh.