GROUNDHOGS
Patriot RBS could gallop over Colts
FOXBOROUGH — As much as Saturday night’s playoff showdown between n the Colts and Patriots will be about the two wo quarterbacks — youngster Andrew Luck vs. the veteran Tom Brady — for New England, another part of the offense may play a key role: the ground game. Given Indianapolis’ struggles to stop the run — the Colts are ranked 26th in the league against the rush — the Patriots’ stable of running backs could play a large role in the outcome.
In its past two games New England has excelled on the ground, running for 142 and 267 yards, respectively. LeGarrette Blount has the led the pack, but the Patriots have used their full arsenal enal of backs effectively, including Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen. Two weeks ago against Buffalo, Blount ran for 189 yards and Ridley for 74, while Vereen had 42 receiving yards.
“I think they each hold their own in different categories in regards to running the football,” Colts defensive coordinator Greg Manusky said this week. “(Blount) is more of a downhill, break-tackles, kind of like a (Jerome) Bettis a little ittle bit, a big-bodied guy that can break through tackles. (Ridley) is a little bit more of a quicker scat guy that’ll take it to the edge and has great vision. (Vereen) is more of a third-down back, put him in a situation, get him out of the backfield, complete a lot of balls to him and also running the ball.”
With rain and wind in the forecast, cast, Bill Belichick might be more inclined to lean on his running backs than usual, though the weather can an wreak havoc on the running game as well.
“If there’s puddles out there, then you’ve just got to know how to put your foot in the ground and you have to change cleats, whatever it is you have to do, just make sure that you keep your feet up under der you,” Blount said.
The Patriots have plenty of playoff experience but not every player does. Blount is entering the playoffs for the first time.
“This is my first rodeo,” Blount nt said. “This is my first postseason, so I’m going to approach it a lot differently than most people, because this is win or go home, rather than the regular season where you win and you get another chance next week. This is win or go home, so I feel like everybody’s body’s supposed to approach it a lot differently.”
And even for players who have e been there before, they said there’s still a different rent feeling at practice and in the building, now that it’s the postseason.
“What we did last year doesn’t matter and we have to go about it this year and do what we can do and I think that’s why we continue to have success, just that mind-set,” cornerback Devin McCourty said. “(When) you lose in the playoffs s it’s like you’re cut right down. So we understand we’ve got to beat whoever's in front of you first.”
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