Big leg, athleticism of Rams’ punter a concern for Patriots

For that, many people are responsible.

With Gronkowski sidelined, coach Bill Belichick, in usual taciturn fashion, said the club would continue to do “what we do every week” to prepare, but Brady admitted the absence of Gronkowski, who is averaging 21.6 yards per catch, will be felt. The other was Ryan Allen, whose 64-yard punt almost two years ago stands as a Super Bowl record.

Bill really likes this punter. And it’s a good challenge for us to get back on the right track and feel a lot better about ourselves. But if he doesn’t get the victory, then there is a good chance Rams’ rookie quarterback, Jared Goff, will get the first of his career. The Rams? Well, it hasn’t gone smoothly since. Absolutely. He’s like a quarterback. But the ability to run and throw will hinge on the line giving a banged-up Tom Brady and his skill players time to work. “You’ve got to defend him like you’d defend one of those guys”.

Belichick’s not alone in his feelings.

However, what transpired Wednesday morning was out of control.

“I’ve played in a bunch of cold weather”, he said. And wide receiver Willie Snead provided the dagger on a trick play, taking a lateral and completing a 50-yard pass to running back Tim Hightower to give New Orleans an insurmountable four-score lead in the fourth quarter. His passer rating is 126.7.

Not only does he have a strong leg for punting, but the way he punts the ball is what impresses Belichick.

“Hekker is a tremendous weapon”, Belichick said in his opening remarks to reporters on Patriot Way.

All told, the Saints had six running plays of 10 yards or more and seven pass plays of 20 yards or more. We know that, we talked about that. It’s not just average – it’s like golf. “He’s making you run.the ballhandling is tough on the returner”. Same thing with kickers. Definitely put Jennings in there, [Sean] Landeta.

Needless to say, the task didn’t get any easier with Thursday’s news that tight end Rob Gronkowski would be undergoing surgery to fix a herniated disk in his back.

“I was complimenting the Patriot offense and when I said “Danny” I was referring to Danny Amendola”. And when someone capably fills one of those spots – as Hekker and Allen are doing – that job might not become vacant for years. So they lead the league in gross punting, they lead the league in net punting, they lead the league in inside the 20, and they lead the league in coverage.

The Monday night contest features the Colts against the Jets.

But the fact remains: Nearing a decade in the NFL, Long has rarely entered the final month of the year still playing meaningful football games. “So he’s pretty good”.

“Yeah, just got to make sure we get the ball”, Belichick said.

“I haven’t had any problem holding their attention in the meetings this week”.

“[It’s a] very tough matchup for anybody”, he added. Trying to think of who else.

“I’ve been impressed with Brandon and what he’s done out of the backfield”, Fisher continued.

New England just played a rough stretch with four of five games on the road and closes out the season with three of five at home, including two straight. “You kind of have to respect multiple aspects of his athleticism”.

“I think that’s what December means: That it’s nearly over”.

So, now you know. The Rams defense which had allowed only 50 points in the previous four games allowed almost that to Drew Brees and the Saints. The organization recently announced that on Sunday, 40 players from that team will return to Gillette Stadium for the first reunion of the franchise’s first Super Bowl championship team.