Socci: Patriots, Belichick Always Prepared For Injury
BOSTON (CBS) -- While there are certainly a few irreplaceable players on the New England Patriots roster, it seems as though Bill Belichick always has players waiting in the wings to step up when their number is called.
That was the case on Sunday night, when Jonas Gray ran for 199 yards and four touchdowns in New England's blowout win over the Indianapolis Colts. Gray was cut by the Patriots in August but signed to the practice squad, and stayed ready throughout the season by working hard in practice against New England's first teamers. Now with Stevan Ridley out, Gray could provide the Patriots with a power running back for the stretch run.
Gray is just one example of Belichick getting the most out of a player who no one else gave a chance. 98.5 The Sports Hub's Patriots radio play-by-play man Bob Socci joined Toucher & Rich on Monday to discuss New England's depth, and how Belichick always has them in a position to fill the void left by an injured player.
"He brings in players he feels can do a lot of the different things he wants them to do from week to week. When you have the loss of a guy, there is no feeling sorry for themselves. They'll kind of reinvent themselves from one week to the next, and we've seen that a bit with some of their losses," said Socci. "There is no Chandler Jones, so there is no pure pass rusher. So they've done more games with stunts up front with the defensive line, and a guy like Akeem Ayers has generated some pressure from his spot.
"Beyond that, it's the player development. They coach all 53 guys on the roster and continually work with the guys on the practice squad. [Belichick] is always preparing for contingencies," said Socci. "You see it in training camp with guys who don't even make the team. Belichick is out there with the 90th guy on the depth chart, working with him individually in various points in training camp.
"Everybody is being prepared for their moment, even if they can't see that moment in the near future. Jonas Gray is a great example of that; a practice squad guy through mid-October but there he was last night, a star," he said.
Even though he had a big night Sunday against the Colts, Socci wouldn't be surprised is Gray's role continues to change throughout the rest of the season.
"Last night he was (a star in the making) but it wouldn't surprise me next week if Jonas had a very limited role in the game plan. There is a lot to like about him," said Socci. "In his time he's really developed as a guy who is better at pass protection than a lot of young backs coming out of college, and that's one of the things we saw a little bit of in the preseason. As a running back, he's shifty."
Socci also talked about Kyle Arrington's play as New England's slot corner, and life with Scott Zolak in the broadcast booth:
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