Even with the legendary quarterback suspended, there hangs a enormous banner of TB12 on the Gillette Stadium lighthouse, plainly visible to anyone standing on the field.
Advertisement
Today, there is a very real impediment: His left tackle, Nate Solder, is not playing Sunday. Garoppolo may have his share of struggles, but don’t expect smooth sailing for Palmer, either. This puts him in an interesting spot. “So we have to make sure we’re on our keys and make sure we understand where the ball is on the field, we understand down and distance, because this team is a very disciplined football team and they want on you to make a mistake and capitalize on it”. Palmer is a big armed quarterback with dynamic deep receivers. Look, when Bill was 12 years old, 25 guys from the [Navy] class in Vietnam got killed. However, Arizona should have the firepower to spoil the opener for New England. Goes without saying, yes.
Palmer’s recent history should give you reason for optimism, as he faces a Patriots defense that has a chance to be an elite unit in 2016.
While Goff sits, the guy taken after him in April, Carson Wentz was handed the Eagles’ job behind center. Their ability (or inability) to protect Garoppolo could be what ultimately makes the Patriots sink or swim. Two powerful offenses may dictate a bit of a shootout but the amount of potential All-Pro defensive players on the field may have other ideas come kickoff time. Both were incompletions, but both were inches away from becoming huge gains. And with Rob Ninkovich out for the first month of the season, he’ll be looked to for veteran leadership and production.
And the second was in the third preseason game against the Panthers. Arians said Garoppolo reminds him of a young Tony Romo. Few expected the Patriots to keep four tight ends on their initial 53-man roster, but they may be rewarded for their depth at the position if all three healthy tight ends can play meaningful roles in Arizona. Expect that to change on Sunday night.
“A complete animal”, Cardinals corner Patrick Peterson told ArizonaSports.com. Tight end Rob Gronkowski and wide receiver Julian Edelman are two of the best in the league at exploiting the seam, especially against aggressive pass rushes, and the Patriots will likely attempt to use battering ram LeGarrette Blount on early downs to keep Garoppolo out of unsafe down-and-distance situations – although one can never fully predict how Belichick and McDaniels will attempt to attack a defense. Had Gronkowski been available, Mathieu figured to see him plenty. TE MARTELLUS BENNETT has 263 catches since 2012, 4th most by NFL TE.
For Dallas, it’s a chance to see whether Romo, rookie RB Ezekiel Elliott and their offense can have sustained success against an above-average National Football League defense.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK: “I’m straight Arizona right now”.
Rob Gronkowski is officially listed as questionable this week.
STAT OF THE WEEK: How much of a difference would Gronk have made for Garoppolo? That’s an 82.5 passer rating. Lets go with 1 interception and 1 sack for the Might Mathieu.
Think this will be low scoring. Even if Brady was in the lineup, the Cardinals probably would be three-point favorites. Players like LeSean McCoy couldn’t salvage more than 30 yards receiving.
Advertisement
The decal was only missing from his helmet, and considering the length of time it was missing, it seems unusual that Brady wasn’t involved somehow.
