Pick Six: Week 16 posted by Randolph Charlotin
1. We often hear how good offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia is. On Sunday, we saw exactly why. LT Matt Light was scratched from the game minutes before kickoff. LG Logan Mankins slid over to fill the spot and reserve Donald Thomas stepped in for Mankins. When Mankins went down with a knee injury, rookie Nate Solder flipped from right tackle to left and Marcus Cannon, another rookie, took over on the right side. It wasn’t a smooth transition, as QB Tom Brady was sacked three times in the first half, but Scarnecchia’s half time adjustments led to one sack allowed and 86 of the team’s 119 rushing yards. Patriots fans should be Tebowing in honor of Scarnecchia. Eh…on second thought…maybe not. But coach Scar deserves praise from Patriot Nation.
2. Like the Boston Bruins scoring goals with less than a minute between them, New England players are grouping statistics. DT Vince Wilfork recovered a fumble for a second week in a row. LB Jerod Mayo picked up his first two sacks of the season. And Brady rushed for two touchdowns after a one-yard plunge last week.
3. Talking about Brady, he broke two personal records on Sunday: passing yards in a season and rushing touchdowns in a season. And he still has one game left to go to add to both totals.
4. DE Shawn Ellis was elevated to starter to replace Andre Carter, who was placed on injured reserve. Ellis rewarded the decision with his first sack of the season. Ellis will be paid $4 million this year. Carter will get $2.25 million. One is a bargain, the other a bust so far. Don’t you hate to say New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan was right?
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