Game Time Approaching

Mankins did not practice or travel with the team this week.

The Patriots have ruled G Logan Mankins out for today's game against the Bills. So, the microscope on the interior O-line has magnified once again. I think that Mankins has been dealing with this hip injury for longer than he's been on the injury report, and no one questions this guy's grit. However, Mankins had one of his worst games as a Patriot against Arizona. Against Baltimore, he was better, but as a unit, the O-line did not do well in critical moments. All in all, I think that Mankins needs the rest. He did not travel to Buffalo with the team, and he's probably sitting in an ice bath right now. Its probably for the best.

Guards Donald Thomas and Dan Connolly with squat next to Ryan Wendell at Center, and I expect the Bills to challenge the interior. Nevertheless, I think that Thomas has played pretty well in limited time. I think Dante Scarneccia will have the unit practiced and prepared for their challenges because Mankins sat out of practice all week. Its never a good thing to be without a team captain, but at least this was not a last minute injury that limited practice reps for the understudies.

There is also a chance the we might see Marcus Cannon play a few reps at Guard. Bill Belichick praised Cannon's ability to pull and block in space, and he even went as far as saying that Cannon could play inside. Seabastian Vollmer is finally healthy, and Cannon no longer needs to split time at RT. I don't want to say that we'll probably see Cannon at Guard, but it is a distinct possibility.

Also, Rob Gronkowski is battling an injury to his hip as well, but Adam Schefter is reporting that he is likely to play. Gronk has played almost every snap this season, but he has looked less explosive without Hernandez as his bookend. Something needs to happen. Hopefully Daniel Fells and Uh-ohwanamanui can be the primary blockers, and McDaniels can move Gronk around the formation in the Hernandez-role. We shall see...

I need a Patriots win. Deep in my soul. I need it. Let's get after these Bills today. No mercy. 60 minutes of whoop-ass. Let's go hang a 40-burger on these clowns.