PERSONNEL NEWS

Strategy And Personnel

The Sports Xchange

December 07, 2018 at 6:34 pm.

FRIDAY INJURY REPORT
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

–QUESTIONABLE: TE Dwayne Allen (knee), CB Stephon Gilmore (ankle)
MIAMI DOLPHINS

–OUT: C Jake Brendel (calf), CB Xavien Howard (knee)

–QUESTIONABLE: WR Danny Amendola (knee), C Travis Swanson (ankle)

PLAYER NOTES

–LB Kyle Van Noy: The Patriots acquired Van Noy two years ago, who Dolphins head coach Adam Gase said has been a nightmare to face. Van Noy has steadily improved. No one will confuse him with Tedy Bruschi or Jerod Mayo – but he has used his intelligence to read offenses well and has been able to pressure the QB at important times. The Patriots are thin at linebacker so Van Noy’s improvement growth at the position was much needed.

DT Malcom Brown: Patrick Chung said Brown is the most underrated Patriots player and he has improved this season. Along with Lawrence Guy, the middle of the Patriots defensive line has been tough to block. Danny Shelton, who the Patriots acquired from Cleveland in the offseason, has been a disappointment.

RB James White: White has been excellent this season and he is the Patriots’ Kryptonite. When everything else does not work, the Patriots can throw or give it to White and he will make great plays.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: LB Elandon Roberts The linebacker who struggled in his first two years in the league has improved this year. Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores had high praise for Roberts Tuesday on a conference call. Flores has been impressed with Roberts’ work ethic and willingness to improve.

GAME PLAN: Offensively, the Patriots will need to block top-notch pass rushers Robert Quinn and Cameron Wake who has given the Patriots a lot of trouble over the years. One way to beat a strong pass rusher is throw the ball quickly or run the ball well – both of which the Patriots do well. The game plan should be to get Julian Edelman involved early and often. The Patriots should also throw a lot of screen passes to James White.

Defensively, the Patriots defensive backs will need to have a good game in coverage against a diverse Miami wide receiving tandem of Kenny Stills, DeVante Parker and former Patriots wide receiver WR Danny Amendola. The Patriots must stop the big plays of the Dolphins, which explains why the Dolphins offense has struggled because they lack an intermediate passing game.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH

–Dolphins WR Danny Amendola vs. Patriots CB Jason McCourty. If Amendola plays, he missed last week’s game because of injury, then McCourty should have the opportunity to cover him in the slot. Amendola will be extra motivated to play well against his former team that didn’t pay him what he thought he deserved.

–Patriots LT Trent Brown vs. Dolphins DE Robert Quinn. Brown can handle the speed of Quinn and prevent him from being disruptive and the Patriots might give Marcus Cannon help on the other side of the offensive line with Cameron Wake who has given the Patriots trouble over the years.

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