Steelers vs Patriots (9/10/15)

[BigKen]

Here are the Patriots inactives for Thursday's gave against the Steelers

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  Mike Reiss, ESPN Staff Writer
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  • Covered Patriots since 1997
  • Joined ESPN in 2009

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Projecting the inactives for the New England Patriots in the NFL opener against the Steelers:

DE Geneo Grissom -- Third-round draft choice from Oklahoma contributes in the pass rush and on special teams but the Patriots are deep at the position.

WR Chris Harper -- Undrafted free agent from California shows promise as a returner as well. If he doesn't suit up, it will leave Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and Aaron Dobson at the position, but more two-back, or two-TE sets could be used.

DE Rufus Johnson -- First-year player out of Tarleton State flashed in the preseason, but is at a position stacked with depth.

LB Eric Martin -- Might be needed on special teams, but something has to give.

C Bryan Stork -- After missing the last three days of practice with a concussion, it doesn't seem like he'll be ready.

DT Khyri Thornton -- Claimed on waivers from the Packers on Sunday, he only has a couple of practices under his belt.

TE Michael Williams -- An eighth offensive lineman or a fourth tight end was the call here, and with center/guard Ryan Wendell possibly not ready to go wire to wire just let, the choice was made to keep an extra offensive lineman.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Prepare for a night of quick passes. Would be nice if they could establish a running game? I'm just not sure they can? I'm not a Bolden fan. So White or Cadet here is your big chance.

 

[Debbie Does]

I didn't like the looks of the D. Maybe it was the scheme they had dialed in, but DeAngelo Williams ran for 127 yards, mostly long scampers around the ends. The defensive backfield will come together. They're always pretty soft the first few games of a season.

We've got to be happy with the offensive line, though. With the injuries, this is a young and inexperienced group. I thought they held up pretty well.

Dion Lewis may be the surprise player of the year. Blount will be back next week. Two very different backs like that could make it tough on defenses.

 

[sharkymcwrath]

The offense will get a true test next week against a very stout Bills D. No way Rex allows Gronk to get open like that multiple times. The Bills have a great D-line so if NE can pull out a win next week at Buffalo that will be a good sign.

 

[CreepCreep2014]

Yikes...I thought the OL was going to be the issue, but nope!! I hope BB wanted Pitt to run, maybe he thought Williams had nothing left. I mean they were small up front all night. When you have Nink, Branch, Grissom, Jones on the DL for the majority of the game. They got tossed around. Brown, Siliga, Mayo all on the sidelines, makes me think this was the game plan. Give up the run, control the pass, bend don't break. I expect next week we see Jones, Brown, Siliga, Branch/Sherod with Mayo, HT, Collins. You want to force Taylor to throw, just don't let him get outside, because he will beat you.

I thought Butler played good vs the best WR in the game. He knocks down 2 of those passes that he just missed, Brown has an OK night. Fletcher made DHB look like an all pro. Brown was solid.

OL played good, until Cannon comes in. Guy flat out sucks. Not sure what BB sees in him. BB did this last yr for the 1st 4 games and I hated it. Set your line and leave it. They need to work together. Solder, Mason, Andrews, Jackson, Vollmer. That is it. Leave Cannon at home next time. Guy single handily killed a drive cause he cannot figure out who to block. BIG test for these guys next week in Buff, just hope TB does not get killed.