Banta-Cain Returns to Practice, Patriots Getting Healthier

by Greg Knopping on Dec 30, 2010 5:17 PM EST in Who Powered Through

The Patriots received a boost at outside linebacker today at practice, with veteran Tully-Banta Cain returning for the first time since sustaining a groin injury last week. With Banta-Cain back, only Dan Connolly, Mike Wright, and Ron Brace were held out.

I wouldn't expect any of those three to play this week, although, on the bright side, Brace's injury is listed as an elbow injury rather than with the concussion he had last week. Yesterday, the Patriots saw the likes of Jermaine Cunningham, Myron Pryor, and Aaron Hernandez all return to practice, which is definitely a positive sign for the team.

Obviously, there's no guaranteeing that the banged-up players will play on Sunday against the Dolphins. Players that are game-time decisions are more unlikely to push themselves into action, as the Patriots are playing a game with no seeding implications. Still, the fact that key players such as Banta-Cain, Pryor, Hernandez, and Cunningham are closer to returning is obviously great news for the team.

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next years pats game in dc

hey guys, not trying to jack this, but I’m a masshole replanted in VA. I was wondering if anyone knows the chances of getting tickets to next years pats game in DC. A buddy of mine that’s a skins fan says he thinks there sold out for the next few years. I’m hoping its just season tickets that are sold out. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

by vkambull on Dec 30, 2010 6:05 PM EST reply actions

You need to try stubhub.com/nfl-tickets

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by insertscreenname on Dec 30, 2010 6:15 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks

Stub hub still has tickets for sale for this weekends Washington game, so next year’s game should be on. Yes first Pats game for me.

by vkambull on Dec 31, 2010 9:17 AM EST up reply actions

Im in the same boat

Expect Im in NC and the redskins are the closest the pats are gonna be for a while

"These players, a lot of other people didn't believe in them, but they believe in themselves. And that is all that matters." -Bill Belichick

by Pats1281 on Dec 30, 2010 6:21 PM EST up reply actions

Where in nc

I’m about 2 miles from NC. near martinsville

by vkambull on Dec 31, 2010 9:19 AM EST up reply actions

you will be able to get tickets...trust me

Heck the Skins are having so much trouble selling club seats they have to have television commercials for them.

by Oughat on Dec 30, 2010 6:41 PM EST up reply actions

Since you're in the DC area,

have you ever by any chance checked out Murphy’s bar? One of these days when I can take the trip to DC, I want to check that place out b/c it’s a Patriots bar.

Proud supporter of a New York baseball team and a Boston football team. Yeah, deal with it!

"We don’t listen to the hype. I don’t think we ever have. We really take after our coach and he says ‘When you win, say little. When you lose, say less.'"--Tom Brady

by R_Adragna on Dec 30, 2010 9:30 PM EST up reply actions

Yes I have

but not on a game night so I’m not sure what the atmosphere is like for that. Every time I have gone there its been fairly laid back and quiet. Your basic Irish pub (the owner is actually irish I believe). Its not bad to get to, right off the metro.

by Oughat on Dec 31, 2010 3:26 AM EST up reply actions

I'll definitly check it out

I’m going with a few buddies that are big redskins fans, so I’ll drag them to Murphy’s(without telling them it’s a pats bar of course). I’m also in charge of ordering tickets, so i hope they like the pat’s sideline.

by vkambull on Dec 31, 2010 9:23 AM EST up reply actions

A chance to see some of the underused guys?

Burning questions for Sunday’s game:

Perhaps more Tate, Edelperson, and maybe even the debut of Price?
More Hoyer time (although whether that’s a good thing is debatable)?
A 1000-yard season for Lawfirm?
A full series off for GRONK?

and of course:

How much TFB and WW do we see?

Fenway: "An alternate and better universe, disguised as a ballpark." --Thomas Boswell

by lone1c on Dec 30, 2010 6:17 PM EST reply actions

Tate plays a lot already though…

by quadruple option on Dec 30, 2010 6:24 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, he's just usually invisible.

Don't cut your locks Tom Terrific!

by PatNation85 on Dec 30, 2010 6:25 PM EST up reply actions

Well Tate's the #3 WR.

In a 2TE 2WR 1RB base offense. He could always see the field a bit more.

by UtopianAverage on Dec 30, 2010 7:09 PM EST up reply actions

It is actually great news that the flu has gone through the team early

and had no real impact on the season. Remember 2006 AFC championship game, when our D had the flu pretty bad, and that helped the Colts, along with some strategy/cheating as they cranked the heat up in the dome. Our players were tremendously gassed during that game.
So, if this means that the bug has already gone through for the most part, then that is very good news.

by furiousd on Dec 30, 2010 6:59 PM EST reply actions

Gamesmanship by the Colts !?

I thought the Pats were the only team EVER to bend/break/misinterpret rules.

by UtopianAverage on Dec 30, 2010 7:10 PM EST up reply actions

is there a link to that?

along with some strategy/cheating as they cranked the heat up in the dome

Non Sibi Sed Patriae & I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life

Pat McAfee -Colts punter-"@StampedeBlue I hope your website gets exposed for a complete joke. There’s no reason for you to do that, and its completely ridiculous."
"Stampede Blue-North Korea of SBN"-Colt's fan

by NinjaZX6R on Dec 30, 2010 7:19 PM EST up reply actions

I'll try ro find it, but I will be busy for a bit

However, I did run into an interesting article the other day. Go check out the Cold Hard Fact website, and they have an interesting article on the 1958 game between the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants, called the greatest game ever. There is some info about how both teams cheated, and the Colts were convinced the Giants had bugged the locker room so they could hear them before the game and at halftime. Pretty good read.

by furiousd on Dec 30, 2010 7:34 PM EST up reply actions

Actually, scroll down and he awards the player so fthe game and includes the janitor

in section 109
"It was his idea to turn of the A/C in the RCA Dome. This led to the stadium becoming hot and humid, which in turn led to the Pats defenders cramping up. If the temperature was normal, the defense would have been more fresh and not allowed 38 points for the Colts offense. Sometimes games are decide by people who have nothing to do with either team. Give credit to whoever turned off the air conditioner in the Dome.
I don’t know how this guy got that info, so it is very debatable how reliable it is, but there it is.

by furiousd on Dec 30, 2010 8:44 PM EST up reply actions

I'll start with this, although it is not much

Just a random sports blog that was live blogging the game. However, keep in mind this is a Colt’s fan, or at least someone rooting for the Colts in this game. If you go down to the 9:26 pm you’ll read " 9:26 pm: Interesting…it seems that Indy turned off the Air Conditioning in the RCA dome, and now it’s very hot and humid inside the stadium. This could have been a strategy by stadium maintenance crew. If Indy wins, somebody get a game ball to the janitor in section 109.
     I will try to find a better source, and I admit it may be impossible to find anything concrete, as these may have just been allegations that were never pursued. I just remember hearing about it either during or after the game from fans and players, and staff. I’ll see what else I can find.

       http://digitalheadbutt.wordpress.com/2007/01/21/afc-championship-game-colts-vs-patriots-live-blog/

by furiousd on Dec 30, 2010 8:42 PM EST up reply actions