CaptainHook Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 The New England Patriots had hoped to have both their starting cornerbacks return from injuries in time for the playoffs and the defense of their Super Bowl crown. Turns out only one of them has a chance to get back on the field for 2004. In a somewhat surprising roster move, the Pats on Friday placed starting right cornerback Tyrone Poole on injured reserve, ending his season. The maneuver, which came less than a week after Poole made a cameo appearance in last week's victory over Cincinnati, was announced in rather cryptic fashion. Poole, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee back in October, had missed seven games before playing less than 10 snaps in a reserve role against the Bengals. The suggestions, in the wake of the appearance, were that Poole's playing time might increase in Monday's game at Miami, but instead he is shelved for the rest of the season. "He appeared briefly for a few plays last week," said a club spokesman. "I don't know if he aggravated it or not." The club's other cornerback, All-Pro performer Ty Law, remains sidelined as he recovers from a broken right foot sustained on Oct. 31. He has not played since that game against the Steelers, the Patriots' lone defeat of the season, but probably will return for at least the season finale. Law's status was upgraded to "doubtful" for the Monday night game, but he is not expected to play. With his two cornerbacks out of action, coach Bill Belichick has done a remarkable job of juggling his secondary, combining young players with a giant dose of ingenuity. Second-year veteran Asante Samuel, the New England "nickel" corner in 2003, has replaced Poole as the starter in most games. But the Patriots have also used Randall Gay, an undrafted free agent rookie, journeyman Earthwind Moreland, and normal starting free safety Eugene Wilson at the position. The Pats have also deployed 12-year veteran wide receiver Troy Brown as their "nickel" cornerback, and he is tied for the team lead in interceptions, with three. But while New England coaches scrambled to jerry-rig the secondary, there was always the expectation that Poole and Law would return at some point. Now, with the Patriots having gone 6-1 during his absence, younger players on the rise and Poole due base salaries of $1.5 million each in 2005 and 2006, it is uncertain if the nine-year veteran will even be back next season. Poole, who turns 33 in February, started all 16 games in '03, his first year with the Pats, and contributed mightily to the team's Super Bowl championship effort. He posted 64 tackles and tied Law with a career-best six interceptions, along with 21 passes defensed. In his seven previous seasons, he had recorded only 10 interceptions. He injured his right knee in an Oct. 17 games against Seattle and, although the team did not announce the procedure at the time, had arthroscopic surgery a few days later. In his five appearances this season, Poole had 13 tackles, one interception and two passes defensed. For his career, Poole, a first-round pick of the Carolina Panthers in their inaugural 1995 draft, has appeared in 129 games. He has played with Carolina (1995-1997), Indianapolis (1998-2000), Denver (2002) and New England (2003-2004). The former Fort Valley State star sat out the 2001 campaign to spend more time with his family. He signed a four-year contract with the Patriots in the summer of 2003. Poole's career numbers include 490 tackles, 17 interceptions, 132 passes defensed and five sacks. link Makes you wonder about Ty Law too, doesn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaterMan Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Peyton will need all the help he can get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spain Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Peyton will feast on that decimated secondary come playoff time.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilthorp Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Peyton will feast on that decimated secondary come playoff time.. 618395[/snapback] You may be right...and look at all the excuses that the Manning detractor's will have already lined up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Czarina Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 He hasn't ever feasted on the Pats' decimated teams in the past couple years, I don't see why this year would be any different. Please recall that last year was the year the Pats set a record with the highest number of players to start during the season due to the ridiculous number of injuries they had. The key, IMO, to any future matchup between the two teams will be whether Indianapolis' own defense can step it up enough to hold the Pats down in a shootout. Thus far, this has not been the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
borge007 Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Will the refs allow mugging this year in the playoffs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ced1001 Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 No worries......Poole was not going to return to the starting role either way......Patriots insiders have stated that both Samuel and Randell "I'm Not" Gay would be ahead of him on the depth chart regardless of injury at this point. Poole was afwul earlier this year when he was playing. Law will be back for the playoffs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaterMan Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Will the refs allow mugging this year in the playoffs? 618823[/snapback] At least someone's defense was doing something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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