Taking a look at playing time percentages of Patriots' offensive players from the Patriots 20-18 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, as charted by NFL Media relations:
Name |
POS |
Snaps |
% Played |
Ryan Wendell |
C |
82 |
100% |
Donald Thomas |
RG |
82 |
100% |
Logan Mankins |
LG |
82 |
100% |
Nate Solder |
LT |
82 |
100% |
Brandon Lloyd |
WR |
82 |
100% |
Tom Brady |
QB |
82 |
100% |
Rob Gronkowski |
TE |
81 |
99% |
Julian Edelman |
WR |
75 |
91% |
Wes Welker |
WR |
63 |
77% |
Sebastian Vollmer |
RT |
62 |
76% |
Stevan Ridley |
RB |
45 |
55% |
Danny Woodhead |
RB |
35 |
45% |
Marcus Cannon |
RT |
20 |
24% |
Michael Hoomanawanui |
TE |
20 |
24% |
Lex Hilliard |
FB |
4 |
5% |
Aaron Hernandez |
TE |
3 |
4% |
Thoughts on the playing time percentages after the jump!
What stands out?
- Julian Edelman started the game in lieu of Wes Welker, and finished the game with a higher play percentage (91% vs. 77%). One can't help but wonder what Welker's snap numbers would have looked like had Aaron Hernandez note gone down with an ankle injury in the first quarter which limited him to just three snaps played.
- In place of the aforementioned Hernandez, third tight end Michael Hoomanawanui saw a spike in his playing time, checking in with 24% of the team's total snaps.
- Sebastian Vollmer and Marcus Cannon continue to split snaps at right tackle, with Vollmer playing 76% of the snaps, and Cannon playing the other 24%. It seems like the Patriots are taking it easy on Vollmer as he returns from back surgery, and it will be interesting to see if he returns to 100% participation next week against the Ravens.
- Also of note on the offensive line: Donald Thomas played in all 82 snaps for the Patriots, with Dan Connolly active but still hindered by a concussion suffered in week one. My question: If Connolly was cleared by doctors to play, then why wasn't he out there?
- Brandon Lloyd had eight receptions against the Cardinals on Sunday, and his playing time suggests that he's the team's clear-cut number one receiver: he played in all 82 snaps yesterday for the Patriots.
- Fullback Lex Hilliard got involved with the offense yesterday, playing four snaps and carrying the ball one time for two yards.
- One notable player who didn't see any snaps on offense: rookie running back Brandon Bolden