Projo Pats Blog

NOT WHAT WE WANTED TO HEAR: When we learned last week that Tom Brady had to have an additional surgical procedure done to help clear out an infection in his injured left knee, it didn't sound good. Now that we read in The Boston Herald that Brady has had two additional procedures because of the same infection, it seems to throw all of our assumptions about Brady's return next season into question. Meanwhile, ESPN is now reporting that the Patriots are upset about the entire situation, because they wanted Brady's surgery done in Boston by a doctor of their choosing; the story says that Brady went with a California surgeon preferred by the quarterback's family. We'll be eagerly waiting for the next information leak.

NO EXCUSES: It's easy to take that attitude when things are going well, and for now at least, they're going well for the Patriots. Head coach Bill Belichick says the team is improving in all phases of the game, and the players don't want to talk about the challenges they may face from the mounting injury toll. The injury concerns for the time being still include Sammy Morris, the team's new featured running back, who missed practice yesterday because of a knee injury. (Both projo.com)

HERE'S KEVIN: The concerns surrounding Morris led reporters to crowd around running back Kevin Faulk's locker yesterday (Boston.com). "I didn't have this many people at my birthday party, man," Faulk joked. If Morris can't play, you would expect the Patriots to mix it up between Faulk, Heath Evans and BenJarvus Green-Ellis -- three runners with three very different styles.

OPPORTUNITIES WILL EXIST: Whoever does carry the ball on Sunday should find some open lanes, because the Rams rank 30th in the NFL in run defense, giving up 161.5 yards per game on the ground. Overall, only three teams in the NFL (the Lions, the Chiefs and the Broncos) give up more yards per game than the Rams. But the Rams have been better over the last two weeks, and Jim Haslett first and foremost a defensive coach.

SAFETY VALVE: Belichick was predictably noncommittal yesterday when asked about the possibility of re-signing veteran John Lynch to help fill the void left by Rodney Harrison's injury. Adam Schefter of the NFL Network says the Patriots may indeed pursue Lynch, but there won't be any signing this week. The Patriots did promote defensive back Antwain Spann from the practice squad.

OFFENSIVE HONORS: Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel picked up a nice honor yesterday when he was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week (projo.com). The NFC Offensive Player of the Week was running back Steven Jackson, whose Rams team will be taking in the New England foliage this weekend. Whether we'll be seeing Jackson play, though, remains at least somewhat in doubt, as the stud rusher yesterday would not guarantee that he'll be in the lineup (St. Louis Post-Dispatch).

RAMS INJURY REPORT: In addition to Jackson, here are the Rams players who did not participate in practice: wide receiver Drew Bennett (foot), defensive lineman Adam Carriker (ankle), cornerback Tye Hill, safety Todd Johnson (kidney) and wide receiver Derek Stanley (concussion).

ONE BIG ADDITION: The Rams offense should certainly get a boost from the expected return of Orlando Pace to the offensive line, after Pace missed the Cowboys game due to a slightly torn thigh muscle (St. Louis Post-Dispatch).

CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK: Rams rookie defensive end Chris Long, who has been earning praise from Haslett for his fast improvement this season, says he benefits a lot from his relationship with his father, Hall of Famer Howie Long (St. Louis Post-Dispatch).

SO, WHAT WOULD YOU CALL IT THEN? Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler said yesterday that he wouldn't make any excuses for his poor play at Gillette Stadium on Monday night, then went on to explain that the finger injury he sustained on the game's first play prevented him from getting a good grip on the ball for the rest of the night (CBS-4 Denver).

A TAKE-CHARGE KIND OF GUY: Stung by allegations that he doesn't have what it takes to run football's craziest team, Cowboys coach Wade Phillips is planning to take over most defensive play calling from defensive coordinator Brian Stewart, according to unnamed sources quoted in the Dallas Morning News.

STEAMED STEELERS: The NFL sent two representatives to meet with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and some players to try to calm their anger over comments made by members of the Baltimore Ravens this week (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). First, there was Ray Lewis seeming to express his glee over the hit that ended rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall's season a few weeks back ("After the play, I wasn't screaming, 'He's hurt.' I was screaming, 'He's done.' "), then there was Terrell Suggs implying that the Ravens had bounties out on Mendenhall and wide receiver Hines Ward. Hey Ravens, you guys ever focus on winning more football games, or would that take the fun out of trying to hurt people?

BLOODY GOOD STORY: When the Saints meet the Chargers this weekend in London, New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees will be looking to make a statement against his former team (NFL.com). While Brees is the NFL's leader in passing yards, his Chargers counterpart, Philip Rivers, leads the league in quarterback rating. All in all, it could be an excellent taste of American football for the English crowd.

A COMPETITION OF A DIFFERENT KIND: The web site Fanhouse.com invites fans to vote on which quarterback is more putrid: J.T. O'Sullivan of the 49ers (four fumbles last week) or Harvard-educated Bengals stand-in Ryan Fitzpatrick (averaging 4.6 yards per pass attempt).

REALLY, REALLY ANNOYED: Those words sum up the feelings of Browns general manager Phil Savage, who in his weekly appearance on radio station WTAM in Cleveland ripped into suspended tight end Kellen Winslow and his allegations that the team acted unethically in the case of his recent hospitalization.

ECKEL WON'T BE STARTING IN PHILLY: Eagles head coach Andy Reid emphatically put to rest rumors that former Patriot Kyle Eckel, signed earlier this week, would supplant Dan Klecko as the team's starting fullback (Philadelphia Daily News).

BROKEN LINE: Speaking of the Eagles, their Pro Bowl right guard, Shawn Andrews, had back surgery to repair a herniated disk and will be out at least six weeks (Philadelphia Inquirer). The better news for the Eagles is that running back Brian Westbrook put in a full practice, raising hopes that he will return to action this weekend against Atlanta.

FERGUSON'S STATUS IN DOUBT: Dolphins nose tackle Jason Ferguson has an oblique injury and might not be able to play against the Bills on Sunday (Miami Herald).

CONTRITION FINDS LARRY: Chiefs running back Larry Johnson stepped up to the plate, as they say, and issued an apology for the off-the-field problems that are have been destroying his reputation and his season. Jason Whitlock of the Kansas City Star says that while the NFL should suspend Johnson, the fans should take the player's apology at face value and wish him the best.

MORE SUSPENSION NEWS: The Jaguars' leading receiver, Matt Jones, is reportedly appealing his three-game penalty, which results from a drug arrest in July (Florida Times-Union).

NEW SET OF WHEELS: The Tampa Bay Bucs are happy to see running back Cadillac Williams back at practice for the first time since his promising NFL career was interrupted more than a year ago by a knee injury (St. Petersburg Times).

ANOTHER TAMPA CHAMPION? ColdHardFootballFacts explains why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, overlooked by many who watch football on TV, are statistically even more impressive than the undefeated Tennessee Titans.

NOT IN THE FIRING LINE: The rumors about Norv Turner and members of the San Diego coaching staff started before the Chargers routed New England, and regained their footing after last weekend's loss at Buffalo. But Chargers team officials say management is happy with the coaches -- it's the players who are the problem (San Diego Union-Tribune).

DON'T TRUST THOSE EYES OF YOURS: Despite all evidence to the contrary, Edgerrin James says he is not in decline and insists that the prolific Arizona offense should find some way to get him more involved (Arizona Republic).

---