Game #10 Patriots vs Tennessee Titans 11/11/2018

[BigKen]

Titans play tonight against the Cowboys and then get the Patriots on Sunday for a 1:00 game.

Right now the Titans are 3-4 and tonight's game is in Dallas.

No matter how the game tonight unfolds, this might be a trap game for the Pats. A big win over the Packers, the Tiitans are a mecurical team that can play like a Super Bowl Contender one week and look like a Pop Warner team the next. That and the Patriots have a bye for Week #11 and hopefully they won't be looking at two weeks off a week early.

My gut tells me that Gronk will be sitting this game to make sure he's healed for the final stretch.

After the Bye the schedule appears to be manageable...

@ Jets, Minnesota (H), @ Miami, @ Pittsburgh, Buffalo (H), Jets (H)

Patriots cannot take the Titans lightly.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Here's to hoping the Titans get blown out tonight.

Tickets for the Pats game will be much easier to come by.

 

[YankeeRebel]

Well it seem like our defense has finally awoken from their coma so I am more confident then past weeks

Pats 256
Titans 11

 

[Yankee Traveler]

As was mentioned in the other Titans game thread....

Pats reportedly will sign safety Melifonwu

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Athletic freak.
Can he become a starter here?

 

[YankeeRebel]

Athletic freak.
Can he become a starter here?

Isn't there a real injury history with him?

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Isn't there a real injury history with him?

If I remember correctly...always suspect...he was injured last year, his first in the NFL. But not in college.
Sooo, yes an injury history, but not like the second coming of Ras I Dowling.


At least yet.

 

[BigKen]

Patriots Sign Big, Athletic Pass Rusher Ufomba Kamalu To Practice Squad

The New England Patriots are adding some pass rush depth to their practice squad.

The Patriots signed edge defender Ufomba Kamalu, his agent, David Canter, tweeted Monday. Kamalu most recently was on the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad before being released Oct. 30.

Kamalu spent the first two years of his NFL career with the Houston Texans, with whom he recorded three sacks, five tackles for loss, four quarterback hits and 11 tackles in 13 games between 2016 and 2017.

Kamalu played outside linebacker with the Texans at 6-foot-6, 295 pounds. He was able to do that because of his elite athleticism for his size. Kamalu ran a 4.88-second 40-yard dash at his pro day while coming out of Miami in 2016. He posted a 31.5-inch vertical leap, 8-foot, 10-inch broad jump, 7.32-second 3-cone drill and 4.58-second short shuttle with 26 bench press reps of 225 pounds during the pre-draft process.

Kamalu hasn’t played in a game this season, but he had two quarterback hits and three hurries in the preseason with the Texans.

He had a big preseason performance against the Patriots last summer when he recorded a sack, QB hit and three hurries. The Patriots also got to watch him during joint practices with the Texans before that game.

The Patriots had an open spot on their practice squad. New England has defensive ends Trey Flowers, Deatrich Wise Jr., Adrian Clayborn, Keionta Davis, Derek Rivers, John Simon and Geneo Grissom on their 53-man roster. They also have fellow Miami product and edge defender Trent Harris on their practice squad.


Patriots Expected To Add Linebacker Depth By Signing Albert McClellan

The New England Patriots should be adding linebacker depth this week.

The Patriots are expected to sign linebacker Albert McClellan on Tuesday, a source told NESN.com. The news first was reported by Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.

McClellan, 32, was released by the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 30. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound linebacker has three tackles in six games, with one start, this season. He also contributes on special teams.

McClellan went undrafted out of Marshall in 2010. He’s spent his entire career with the Ravens.

He has 169 career tackles with three sacks, three pass breakups with two forced fumbles.

The Patriots currently have a full 53-man roster and full practice squad, and they’re reportedly signing safety Obi Melifonwu. The Patriots will have to open two spots for McClellan and Melifonwu. McClellan doesn’t have practice squad eligibility.

Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts, Nicholas Grigsby and Brandon King currently make up the Patriots’ linebacker depth chart. They have Calvin Munson on their practice squad.

The Patriots also signed edge defender Ufombu Kamalu to their practice squad Monday.



Adam Schefter
(@AdamSchefter)

Former Raiders’ second-round pick Obi Melifonwu, whom Oakland released Oct. 23, is signing with the New England Patriots, per @seanstellato

 

[BigKen]

Titans came back and beat the Cowboys last night 28-14. Marriota was 12/29 for 240 yards and two TDs and he had 32 yards rushing and a TD himself. It amazes me that an NFL QB can complete 41% of his passes and win a football game. Against a better team than the Cowboys he probably couldn't.

The Titans are now at 4-4 and are feeling pretty good.

The Patriots need to keep focused and not overlook these guys..........

 

[sharkymcwrath]

I'm expecting another battle where the Pats will once again figure it out and pull away a little bit in the fourth quarter after three neck and neck quarters of football.

The Titans should be feeling pretty good right now(even though Dallas sucks balls) but now they're going up against Belichick and Brady.

I expect Brady to remind everybody why the Pats didn't play Malcolm Butler in the Super Bowl and then let him walk after the season.

 

[sharkymcwrath]

p.s. prediction: Dion Lewis gets hurt early in the game and doesn't return.

 

[BigKen]

Patriots Make Series Of Roster Moves, Leaving Two Open Roster Spots
by Doug Kyed on Tue, Nov 6, 2018 at 5:21PM

The New England Patriots officially signed safety Obi Melifonwu and linebacker Albert McClellan to their 53-man roster Tuesday.

To make room for Melifonwu and McClellan, the Patriots released defensive end Geneo Grissom and offensive lineman Cole Croston and placed offensive lineman Brian Schwenke (foot) on injured reserve. That leaves one spot open on the Patriots’ active roster.

The Patriots also released running back Kenneth Farrow from their practice squad Tuesday, leaving another vacancy.

The Patriots’ 53-man roster spot likely will be taken by cornerback Duke Dawson, who can be activated off injured reserve until Nov. 14. It’s worth noting ex-Oakland Raiders veteran pass rusher Bruce Irvin also hit the open market Tuesday when he cleared waivers.

It’s likely one or both of Grissom and Croston will be back on the practice squad.

Melifonwu was drafted in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders out of UConn. He was released this summer after dealing with injuries during training camp and the preseason.

McClellan is a nine-year veteran who has spent his entire career with the Baltimore Ravens. He can contribute on special teams and defense.

Grissom has missed five games with an ankle injury.

Croston appeared in two games this season as a reserve offensive tackle.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Patriots Make Series Of Roster Moves, Leaving Two Open Roster Spots
by Doug Kyed on Tue, Nov 6, 2018 at 5:21PM

The New England Patriots officially signed safety Obi Melifonwu and linebacker Albert McClellan to their 53-man roster Tuesday.

To make room for Melifonwu and McClellan, the Patriots released defensive end Geneo Grissom and offensive lineman Cole Croston and placed offensive lineman Brian Schwenke (foot) on injured reserve. That leaves one spot open on the Patriots’ active roster.

The Patriots also released running back Kenneth Farrow from their practice squad Tuesday, leaving another vacancy.

The Patriots’ 53-man roster spot likely will be taken by cornerback Duke Dawson, who can be activated off injured reserve until Nov. 14. It’s worth noting ex-Oakland Raiders veteran pass rusher Bruce Irvin also hit the open market Tuesday when he cleared waivers.

It’s likely one or both of Grissom and Croston will be back on the practice squad.

Melifonwu was drafted in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders out of UConn. He was released this summer after dealing with injuries during training camp and the preseason.

McClellan is a nine-year veteran who has spent his entire career with the Baltimore Ravens. He can contribute on special teams and defense.

Grissom has missed five games with an ankle injury.

Croston appeared in two games this season as a reserve offensive tackle.

All these moves signal good things. It would appear Cannon must be on the mend if they released Colston. He's not a big loss.

Releasing Farrow also points to Michel being fully ready. I like Farrow but no loss especially with Patterson as a featured RB. It will be interesting to see if Patterson gets any touches at the RB position now that Michel is back?

Any help on defense is a win Melifonwu, McClellanand the Duke coming with back should strengthen the D and STs. BB doing BB things finding some low cost/risk free vets that will come in and make a game changing play. The verdict is still out on Irvin but I'd bring him in for a look.

 

[TP76]

Athleticism needed on defense - hopefully Melifonwu isn't too banged up. The fact that the Chiefs passed on him despite the obvious need at that position is a little worrisome.

 

[nefansince75]

Athleticism needed on defense - hopefully Melifonwu isn't too banged up. The fact that the Chiefs passed on him despite the obvious need at that position is a little worrisome.

Not worrisome at all. The Pats are noted for making the most of players strengths. If his strengths fit, they will probably work.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

p.s. prediction: Dion Lewis gets hurt early in the game and doesn't return.

I'm down with a severely bruised ego, questionable to return.

 

[BigKen]

Mike Vrabel was on some show and was asked about Butler being ready for Brady. He said that he's had several 'Talks" with Butler because his biggest weakness is looking back at the QB and losing the WR that he's supposed to cover. When asked about Bultler giving up 683 yards and 4 TDs he said, "He best not do that against Brady."

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Mike Vrabel was on some show and was asked about Butler being ready for Brady. He said that he's had several 'Talks" with Butler because his biggest weakness is looking back at the QB and losing the WR that he's supposed to cover. When asked about Bultler giving up 683 yards and 4 TDs he said, "He best not do that against Brady."

For some unexplainable reason, of all the Pats that have left to play for other teams over the generations that I have not wished ill will on, I really want to see Butler get roasted by Brady and the WR's.

 

[Shoeshine Boy]

Matt Tobin is back

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Mike Vrabel was on some show and was asked about Butler being ready for Brady. He said that he's had several 'Talks" with Butler because his biggest weakness is looking back at the QB and losing the WR that he's supposed to cover. When asked about Bultler giving up 683 yards and 4 TDs he said, "He best not do that against Brady."

Pretty bad when your coach calls you out like that. Is that some kind of need for Butler to be motivated by publicly humiliating him? I hope he doesn't cry again.