Breer: Expect Patriots To Test Sherman, Thomas Injuries Early On
BOSTON (CBS) - The New England Patriots continue to put DeflateGate to the side, and focus on the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks as their biggest concern.
98.5 The Sports Hub Toucher & Rich and the NFL Network's Albert Breer talked about the matchups in the game, specifically the statuses of star Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman and free safety Earl Thomas.
During the NFC Championship game against Green Bay, Sherman suffered an apparent elbow injury, while Thomas suffered a shoulder injury. According to Breer, when he was in Seattle's locker room after the game, "Sherman was in significantly worse pain than Thomas."
Although both players' injuries have improved, Breer wonders how they'll hold up over the course of the game.
"Availability won't be the question, but functionality will be the question. In terms for Thomas, will it affect him from being physical? For Sherman, it will be his ability to play press on the outside," Breer told T&R. "The question is will both players be able to rise to the level they play at?"
In an interview with Josina Anderson, Patriots cornerback Brandon Browner discussed his feelings of playing against his former team, but also was questioned if Sherman's elbow and Thomas' shoulder dislocation will have an effect.
"But at the end of the day, this is about the Super Bowl," Browner told ESPN. "I'm gonna tell my teammates, 'Go hit that elbow. Go hit that shoulder. Most definitely. Try to break it if you can.' You're gonna be my best friend after the game, but I know you want the Super Bowl just as bad as I do."
Breer adds that he expects the Patriots will test the injuries to Sherman and Thomas early in the game to see how well they've recovered.
The Sports Hub's Adam Jones and Rich Keefe debated Monday morning whether or not the Patriots need to establish the run, which could be a way for New England to test the durability of both players, but Thomas in particular.
"With Earl Thomas not one hundred percent, I think LeGarrette Blount could be the perfect type of back [for this game]," said Keefe. "Is Thomas going to want to fly in there, with his shoulder hurt, and start hitting LeGarrette Blount all the time?"
Listen below for the full discussion:
Tune in to Super Bowl XLIX on 98.5 The Sports Hub — the flagship station of the New England Patriots. It's the only place to hear Bob Socci & Scott Zolak's local call of the game!
