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Injury updates

Just received word that Ellis Hobbs, Eugene Wilson and Ryan O'Callaghan have been downgraded on the injury list. All three are now listed as out for tomorrow's game.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 9:58 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Friday injury report

Hey all --

There were no changes to the Pats' injury report, though the Bengals did add one player. I'll save you the scroll down and refresh your memory:

PATRIOTS

Questionable: S Artrell Hawkins (thigh), CB Elliss Hobbs (wrist), T Nick Kaczur (shoulder), S Eugene Wilson (hamstring), WR Chad Jackson (hamstring)

Probable: QB Tom Brady (right shoulder), WR Doug Gabriel (hamstring), T Matt Light (knee), T Ryan O'Callaghan (head)

All except Brady missed a portion of practice.

BENGALS

Out: C Rich Braham (knee), S Dexter Jackson (ankle), WR Tab Perry (hip), DE Frostee Rucker (shoulder)

Doubtful: LB A.J. Nicholson (ankle)

Questionable: WR Antonio Chatman (groin), LB Rashad Jeanty (foot)

Probable: DT Sam Adams (knee), WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (foot), T Levi Jones (ankle), S Kevin Kaesviharn (neck), LB Brian Simmons (knee), DE Justin Smith (foot), TE Reggie Kelly (illness)

(Kelly is the new addition.)

All of the players listed as out or doubtful, along with Kelly, missed at least a portion of practice.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 8:48 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Locker room look

Hey all --

As Joey and I mentioned in SS/HS, the locker room was pretty loose today. On Fridays, we get the guys coming in off the practice field, so there's a lot of activity as guys move about.

Junior Seau and Tedy Bruschi were among those drawing a media crowd, but all around there were guys with chatting with reprorters.

For those of you interested in the weekly Who I Am, this week's subject is Mike Vrabel. To me, he's such a guy's guy, but he didn't even bristle when I asked him when was the last time he cried. I thought it was interesting, hopefully you will too.

If there are any changes to the injury report, we'll let you know.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 2:58 PM | Permalink | Comments 1

She Said/He Said

You know, this may be counter to the whole point of this debate forum, but I kind of agree with you.

They were pretty loose in the locker room today. And they were pretty loose at practice as well; it seemed like there was a good amount of joking going on while they were stretching, though that also could have been because we were in the fieldhouse so noise is amplified.

For all the talk this week about the Bengals' receivers -- and they are good, don't misunderstand me -- the Steelers exposed some of the team's warts last week. I think this game will be won in the trenches, especially since Cincy's starting center, Rich Braham, is out of the game with a knee injury and the O-line lacks cohesion (Carson Palmer was sacked six times by the Steelers). And if their O-line isn't that great, then I see New England's D-line dominating.

Conversely, Cincy's D-line isn't doing so hot either. The Bengals are giving up over 113 yards rushing per game, and 24 of the 62 (39 percent) first downs by their opponents have come on the ground (compared to 11 of 47 or 24 percent for the Pats) which has to have Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney jazzed. And don't forget, there's also Dillon's history with Cincy giving some added incentive.

Rodney Harrison said this week that Rudi Johnson is as key to Cincy's offense as the receivers because "the running game sets up the passing game and vice-versa." That works for both teams.

But I think the key to this game is New England's defense getting involved. If the defense can put points on the board, it's in the bag.

I think it will be a close game, but the Pats can win.

Pow.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 2:31 PM | Permalink | Comments 1

He Said/She Said

Before you respond to the latest entry I've changed my mind just a little.
Like I said to you in the locker room just moments ago, the team seems very loose and focused. In my experience that is always a good thing. The Pats' Don Davis was walking around handing out union business when Mike Vrabel yelled to him "we'll do this on Monday." Davis agreed and collected the folders, meaning the only thing they should worry about is Cincy.

My pick hasn't changed, but I think New England has a chance. Then again, this could mean I'm thinking with my heart and not my mind.

Joey Mac

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 2:20 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

He Said/She Said

Cincinnati takes this one.

The Patriots have been out of sync in the first three weeks of the season, while the Bengals are firing on all cyclinders, which has been impressive to watch this early. One of two things will happen this weekend. 1. The Pats get blown out. 2. They win by a very narrow margin (Gostkowski 43-yard field goal).
I know that's a very general statement, but looking at the match up it makes too much sense. My feeeling is, however, that New England takes a hit again this weekend. Should make for great talk radio on Monday.

Joey Mac

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 1:14 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

She Said/He Said

Hey Hockeyboy --

First of all, I didn't rip you about bringing up Gostkowski. It is a point of concern. He's still a kid (witness him using writing a term paper and having your computer crash before you could save your work as a comparison to not being properly prepared for the field conditions Sunday) and a kid who, whether he admits it is or not, knows the icon he is replacing.

But, as one of our readers pointed out, that icon, Adam Vinatieri, wasn't exactly a picture of perfection when he first got here either. Vinatieri missed five field goals and three extra point tries in his first season with the Pats. However, don't think Mr. Clutch has been giving the kid pointers -- Gostkowski flatly said this week that he has never spoken to Vinatieri.

I do agree with you -- he *needs* to make a field goal this week to know that it's not him. Josh Miller can tell Stephen all he wants that he hasn't missed a kick yet, but you have to know that in his own mind he's dumping on himself.

Okay, what now? Who do you think wins this Sunday?

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 1:01 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Friday practice

Hey all --

Just spent some quality time in the fieldhouse, and once again the only player not on the field for stretching was Ellis Hobbs, listed as questionable on the injury report with a wrist injury. We haven't seen Ellis in the locker room this week either.

Laurence Maroney was there, though he walked into the building a few minutes late.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

He Said/She Said

Okay,

I have returned after two days back on the hockey beat. The Gostkowski argument is no longer timely since you wrote about him on Thursday (after ripping me for bringing it up) but to add just one more point about the kicking game before we put that episode to bed, I think Sunday is crucial for the rookie.
Coaches are always looking to see how young players responded when faced with a bit of adversity, and Gostkowski is no different. It was good to see him finally talk to the media the other day, despite the gag order on rookies. I was starting to think he didn't have enough nerve.
Like our Brady discussion, I believe he's going to fine. He certainly has the ability to do the job, now he just needs a little help from his line.
Oh, by the way, the P-Bruins look pretty darn good this season.

Joey Mac

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 11:28 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Friday morning

Hey all --

I guess our lovely late-September weather has left us. Practice today is in the Dana Farber Fieldhouse; we'll be headed out there in a bit and then locker room access is after practice.

Coach Belichick, first and foremost, wasn't in his grey sweatshirt today. He had on a navy Patriots polo shirt with his regular navy shorts. But he didn't seem as relaxed as he normally does on a Friday.

The Pats practiced without full pads both Wednesday and Thursday, an unusual move. Belichick did acknowledge that the physical nature of the team's first three games did play a role in that decision.

There was talk of why a holder on placekicks lines up 7-8 yards behind the line of scrimmage, rookie Willie Andrews and the Paul Brown's impact on the game.

Apparently Joey is preparing some big rebuttal for She Said/He Said about the blocked field goals, so we'll let him do that while we go to practice.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 11:18 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Thursday injury report

There are no changes to the Patriots' injury report for today.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 6:32 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

On the field

Hey all --

Everything on the practice field today was much the same as it was yesterday -- Ellis Hobbs wasn't out there, and everyone else was present and accounted for during the media access period (stretching).

The players were once again in shorts and shells.

A random observation, but Junior Seau wasn't wearing a hat out there. Every other day we've been out there, he's wearing a Patriots hat while he stretches.

We'll post again when the injury report comes out.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 1:06 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Thursday things

Hey all --

Just in from the locker room and have a bit of time before heading out to the practice field.

There were a few light moments today as both Rodney Harrison and Bill Belichick shot back at Bengals receiver Chad Johnson, who was talking trash Wednesday in his conference call with the Pats media.

But both Belichick and Harrison knew it was all good-natured and treated it as such.

"Tell him we'd cover him one-on-one all the time but he pushes off more than any receiver in the league and he must be paying off the officials not to call it, so we'll have to cover him some, not that he can get open, but as much as he pushes off then we have to do something to protect ourselves," Belichick joked, drawing big laughs from those in the media workroom.

"He's a great guy, an entertaining kid. That's just Chad."

Belichick said he spent time with Johnson in the offseason, running into him a few times in Los Angeles.

As for Harrison -- Johnson said he'd knock the hard-hitting safety's helmet off but also said Harrison has become an advisor over the last couple of years -- he said it's a lot easier to take ribbing from Johnson than from former Eagles receiver Freddie Mitchell, who called out Harrison before Super Bowl XXXIX.

"This is similar to the Freddie Mitchell thing, but Chad's not as good a receiver," Harrison quipped, not missing the opportunity to get in a dig on Mitchell, a former first-round draft choice five years ago who is not even in football right now. "Chad is a baller, Freddie is not. Freddie is a bum."

As for Johnson's contention that he'll knock Harrison's helmet off: "That guy couldn't knock a mosquito's helmet off. I tell you what, if he takes my helmet off, I guarantee I'll retire."

Randall Gay, jettisoned to injured reserve yesterday, was walking around the locker room, as was Mel Mitchell, the safety who was placed on IR early in training camp and hasn't been seen since.

Corey Dillon was in good spirits, as he came into the locker room with a small plate of brownies tucked under his shirt. He giddily revealed them when asked what he was hiding.

We're off to practice on yet another lovely day. I wish it was like this all the time. I can't stand winter...

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 11:56 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Wednesday injury report, week 4

Hey all --

Sorry I'm a little late here, but here's the first injury report for this week.

PATRIOTS

Questionable: S Artrell Hawkins (thigh), CB Elliss Hobbs (wrist), T Nick Kaczur (shoulder), S Eugene Wilson (hamstring), WR Chad Jackson (hamstring)

Probable: QB Tom Brady (right shoulder), WR Doug Gabriel (hamstring), T Matt Light (knee), T Ryan O'Callaghan (head)

All except Brady missed a portion of practice (Have I written that before??).

BENGALS -- this list is longer than their arrest record

Out: C Rich Braham (knee), S Dexter Jackson (ankle), WR Tab Perry (hip), DE Frostee Rucker (shoulder)

Doubtful: LB A.J. Nicholson (ankle)

Questionable: WR Antonio Chatman (groin), LB Rashad Jeanty (foot)

Probable: DT Sam Adams (knee), WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (foot), T Levi Jones (ankle), S Kevin Kaesviharn (neck), LB Brian Simmons (knee), DE Justin Smith (foot)

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 6:52 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

TO speaks

Hey all --

Just watched the TO press conference. I may get struck down for making light of it, but are we really supposed to believe that everything that was on the police report is false?

And what, the publicist was trying to call 4-1-1 and not 9-1-1?

Okay, I've devoted too many brain cells to this already.

We'll be back with the injury report.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 3:46 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Strange, strange happenings

Hey all --

Just watched Bill Parcells' press conference on ESPN. It was odd that the Cowboys' PR guy said Parcells would make a statement about the Owens situation and would not take a series of questions.... and when Parcells sat down at the dais, he just said, "Fire away" and of course got bombarded with questions. There were so many media members and so many cameras clicking that Parcells couldn't hear most of the questions coming his way.

Eventually -- after taking but one questions not about TO, though ironically it was about Terry Glenn -- Parcells had had enough and got up and walked out of the room.

This whole story is just so strange -- our sister paper, the Dallas Morning News, has reported that Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders went to Owens' condo in Dallas, and of course his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, is there as well. You'll remember the hilarious press conference Owens and Rosenhaus held in Owens' driveway last year when Owens ran afoul with the Eagles' brass. With such an interesting cast of characters likely to be in attendance when Owens begins his press conference in about 30 minutes, it is a morbidly intersting version of must-see TV.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 2:44 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Wednesday practice

Hey all --

On a beautiful end-of-September day, there was only one person we didn't spot out at practice for the media portion (which was just stretching) -- Ellis Hobbs.

Corey Dillon, Matt Light, Eugene Wilson and Rodney Harrison, all of whom left the game at some point on Sunday night, were all on the field. And newly re-signed Hank Poteat was also out there.

The players were in shells and shorts.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 1:28 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Locker room look

Hey again --

There were some good conversations in the locker room today, and a lot of it came from (not surprisingly) Josh Miller. Miller expressed sadness at the Terrell Owens situation, saying that he doesn't hold his feelings in because his support system -- namely, his wife and three kids -- is so strong.

Miller also reassured us, just as he has Stephen Gostkowski, that the kicker will be fine -- Gostkowski hasn't missed a kick yet, it's on the players in front of him. But Gostkowski, who fiddled in his locker while he talked, said he takes 100 percent of the blame for the miss in the Denver game.

A bit surprising that Gostkowski spoke, given that rookies are supposed to be seen and not heard from in the locker room. Maybe he'll have to pay the price with his teammates later.

Rodney Harrison heard question after question about Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer and receivers Chad Johnson, TJ Houshmandzadeh and Chris Henry, and finally wondered, "Why aren't you asking about Rudi Johnson, the most underrated running back in the NFL?"

So of course a question about Rudi followed. Basically, Harrison sounded a lot like Bill Belichick and said everyone on Cincinnati's offense is good and dangerous. Even their ball boys are quick, he joked.

We're out to practice now.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 12:33 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Chad Johnson will be here all week... enjoy the veal!

Hey all --

The weekly conference calls with the opposing team are happening now, and Bengals ever-entertaining receiver Chad Johnson is on the line. Johnson just said that he spoke to Terrell Owens on Monday night during the New Orleans-Atlanta game and spoke to someone close to Owens today and that Owens is fine.

"T is fine. He just took the pain medication on an empty stomach. That's all," Johnson said. "Can I ask a question? How did a few pills become 35? If you take 35 pain pills, you know you're dead."

Johnson also made sure to relay a few messages to the Patriots secondary, calling out Asante Samuel, Rodney Harrison and Eugene Wilson. He said he didn't know Ellis Hobbs enough to pick on him before the game "but I'll pick on him when I get on the field." He started to call out Junior Seau as well, but said that he wouldn't.

To Harrison, Johnson said, "Tell 37 I'm gonna knock his helmet off."

To Samuel, who is on his "hit list" that he keeps in his locker, "Tell him he should continue to have help for all four quarters or 22 will look like 55. Isn't that what 22 looks like upside down?"

He warned Wilson not to hit him over the middle like Cleveland's Brian Russell did or the two would be dropping the gloves right then and there. Russell gave Johnson a mild concussion and a gash on his chin after a week two hit.

After his jokes though, Johnson said Harrison has given him a lot of good advice, telling him to keep his head on right and "If your name's going to be in the headlines, make sure it's for something good." Johnson said he has relayed that advice to teammate Chris Henry, who has been arrested four times this calendar year.

"I have Chris under my wing. He'll be fine," Johnson assured us.

More later.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 12:11 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

The morning buzz

Hey all --

There's a lot of buzz in the media workroom this morning about the news that Terrell Owens may have tried to committ suicide last night by ingesting a large number of prescription pain pills.

Have to say though that most of the people in here (cynical media types all) think it's just another cry for attention from the wide receiver given that it seems his publicist was in his house with him when he did it and called 911 about 15 minutes after he reportedly took the pills. Another writer is saying this will turn the public sentiment on TO from disgust to sympathy as everyone thinks, "Oh he has problems, he's not just a jerk."

But no matter why he did it, if he did indeed do it, it's sad and a clear sign that Terrell needs a lot of help. A lot of times we look at athletes -- especially one as physically sculpted as TO -- and assume that their life off the field is as perfect as the bodies they work so hard on.

That's not always the case.

Especially in the NFL, where you *must* perform or your livelihood can be taken away from you. Think about how people have been around here the last few weeks, saying Tom Brady should just "suck it up" and get over Deion not being here. Would you be saying the same thing if his father passed away or if he had depression? Terrell Owens grew up in extremely difficult circumstances, circumstances that fortunately many of us won't have to deal with and the scars from those events don't just go away because you're pulling in eight figures.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Poteat brought back

The Patriots just announced that they have re-signed cornerback Hank Poteat. To make room for Poteat, Randall Gay was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Report: Pats looking at ... Vinny Testaverde?

The Boston Herald reports today that an old, familiar -- did we mention old -- face was sighted at Gillette Stadium yesterday, and that it belonged to quarterback Vinny Testaverde, whom the team had apparently called in for a workout.

Testaverde, 42, played a stint of his 20-year career under Bill Belichick with the Cleveland Browns. In fact, he led the Brownies to a playoff win over the Bill Parcells-coached Pats in January 1995.

The Herald notes that the Patriots regularly work out free agents so that they are prepared in case of emergency. That said, the team is carrying only two quarterbacks on its roster: Tom Brady and the untested Matt Cassell.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 9:29 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Makes you go hmmmm...

According to old friend Tom Curran, the Patriots worked out Vinny Testaverde today. Testaverde is the second veteran QB the team has brought in for a look, following Tommy Maddox.

Testaverde, who turns 43 in November, retired at the end of last season.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 8:40 PM | Permalink | Comments 1

He Said/She said blah. . .

Hey,

Don't bust on my boy Grapes. While Madden stuffs ribs and corn into his belly, Grapes loves his Guinness. Plus, he's like the de facto president of Canada. Madden's just the master of every RV park in the U.S.

Oh, we're still talking about Brady, right?

Of course he hasn't been himself, the man is dealing with a bunch of rookies. And, if you think he's doing so poorly why don't you stand on your soap box and call for Matt Cassel. Maybe he's the new Brady and Brady is the new Bledsoe of the Patriots.

As for Jerry Rice calling Doug Gabriel a talent, I've had people call me some things that are no where near the truth (insert your own slur). Serioulsy, though, I do agree Gabriel has the ability and once he and Brady get some more game reps in it will help the passing game.

The player I do see with a possible confidence problem is rookie kicker Stephen Gostkowski. He's had two blocked field goals in three games, and just the way Belichick defended him on Monday afternoon, I just think there may be an issue here. Now that's something to worry about, not Brady.

Serve it up . . .

Hockey Boy out.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 1:42 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Yeah, Madden

You can say what you want about John Madden; if you spent most of your life on a bus and eating most of your meals at Outback Steakhouse, you might not always be lucid either.

(By the way, I hear Don Cherry has had his share of suspect moments, hockey boy.)

Yes, Madden wasn't in the locker room, and nor are most of those other so-called "experts." But he saw Brady on the field Sunday night, and he's seen Brady play enough to know when the man lacks passion. And I've seen him the past few weeks; he's still spouting the company line with the media, but he hasn't been doing it with the same conviction.

The chemistry thing is a work in progress, and count me among those who thinks they might have something with Doug Gabriel -- if Jerry Rice raves about him, he's probably pretty talented. (Unless, of course, you want to discount the opinion of the greatest wide reciever to ever play the game.) And if Brady keeps working as hard as he has with the wideouts, I don't doubt there will be improvement.

Just like I said, though, things have to be worked out by the bye week, both on the field and in Brady's mind.

You got something new you want to get e-slammed with?

Sha-zam!

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 12:42 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

He Said/She Said

JOHN MADDEN!

Isn't he the same guy, who during Super Bowl XXXVI, said the Patriots should play for overtime? I know I'm new on the football beat, but if I remember right, Tom Brady marched the team down field before Adam Vinatieri kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired. Yes, Madden is a football guru. Yes, he has forgotten more football than I will ever know. The thing that drives me absolutely nuts is when "experts" give their opinions about a player or a team when they're not ever around the locker room to see these guys up close and hear what they have to say.

Listen, the Patriots are in a transition mode. Brady is going to be fine, it's clear he's not panicking. Even when someone asked Belichick if he was worried about his QB, the coach smirked out of the corner of his mouth as if to say 'are you kidding me?'

As for the magic thing, I prefer that guy who immerses himself in a water tank.

Serve it up . . .

Joey Mac

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 11:41 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

SHE Said/He Said

Alright, buddy, you can call it whatever you want. I know the truth.

Let me get this straight: Since Doug Gabriel said the passing game will figure itself out very soon, that's supposed to make me feel better??!?? He's only been around for a couple of weeks, but so far, I like Doug. Nice guy, made some nice catches Sunday night. But that quote makes it sound like he's the Pats' version of David Copperfield and he has a magic wand he's about to wave over the offense in the meeting room on Wednesday and everything will be A-OK come Sunday in Cincinnati.

No less an expert than John Madden commented during the game that the Pats' offense wasn't playing with passion on Sunday night. And whose job is it to instill that passion, to stoke that fire? Brady's.

Like I said before, I don't think he can't right the ship. What I am saying is something isn't right with the man, whether it's between the ears or mechanics or his Hollywood girlfriend hasn't been around much lately because she has a new TV show. Whatever it is, it can't go past the bye week if this team has any aspirations of cementing its place as a dynasty.

Pow.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 9:05 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

More from Belichick

On Brady:

"I think everyone in that meeting room can do a better job," said the coach. "The coaches, the players, everybody. We all can do a better job. I don't think anyone is playing perfectly the way they can play."

On the blocked field goal:

"I think the ball came out low," he said. "That was part of the problem, there were other problems. . . There were a lot of factors on the play."

On Dillon's arm injury:
"We didn't practice today and we're not going to practice tomorrow," he said. "We'll do what we always do. On Wednesday we'll take him out and if he can practice, he'll practice. . . I can't tell you exactly what anyone's status is."

Dillon was in the locker room after the team's meeting, grab his bag, told a group of reporters he was not talking and walked out.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 6:26 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

He said/She said

First of all, it's He said/She said.

Anyway, I don't think there's anything wrong with Brady. His receiving corp, for the most part, is completely new to him. Sure, you can say he's had plenty of time to get used to the new guys during the preseason and the first three games of the season, but nobody can take a completely revamped passing game and make it work this early.

Brady has faced enough adversity during his career to realize this thing will straighten itself out. THERE'S NO NEED TO WORRY!

Receiver Doug Gabriel said after Sunday's game that the passing game will figure itself out very soon. Plus, you have to give Denver's defense credit. Okay, so Brady wasn't sharp during the first two weeks of the season, too. It's early so come off the edge of the cliff and snuggle back up to your computer. I'll give you this much, his body language on the field last night, and in the locker room today was disconcerting.

Serve it up. . .

Joey Mac

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 4:37 PM | Permalink | Comments 1

More from Belichick

On Josh Miller's solid performance yesterday: "When you have field position you want to maintain it."

Miller continuously dropped punts deep into Denver territory on Sunday night. The only problem was, the Broncos were able to thwart the Patriots defense time and again almost making Miller's performance a moot point.

After the first three weeks of the season, he's ranked third in the AFC and eighth in the league

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 4:27 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

The debut of She Said/He Said

Hey all --

Joe came up with this idea yesterday, and we're going to try it out. It's called She Said/He Said, and we're going to basically debate on-line, mostly about Pats things, but it may get into other areas, you never know.

Our first topic: Tom Brady.

I think there's something... missing with Tom Terrific. Something isn't there, and I don't think it's just a chemistry (or lack thereof) issue with his new receivers. In the first two games, he didn't look sharp and it wasn't much of a concern because in the end, the Patriots won the games. But it was magnified last night. At least one pass attempt came out of his hand wrong, and on a few passes, he overthrew or underthrew his intended receiver.

And while he was 10-for-10 on the lone touchdown drive, Denver was in soft coverage then. As soon as New England scored, they switched up again and the Pats were three-and-out on their next possession. Brady admitted after the game that he had thrown the ball away on two of those three tries (the third was forced and broken up).

It's easy for everyone to say, "Yeah, Deion is gone, he has to be a professional and get over it." And I know that's what he's getting paid for. But if your best friend, the person you worked with every day, went to lunch with, sent IM messages to about the God-awful shirt your boss is wearing, was all of a sudden gone, wouldn't that sting for a while?

I hope whatever it is -- or they are, if it's more than one thing -- gets better soon. But right now, Tom Brady isn't the Tom Brady we all have come to know.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 4:22 PM | Permalink | Comments 2

Not much has changed

Things around Gillette Stadium didn’t change very much from earlier this morning until this afternoon. The Patriots locker room was quiet, coach Bill Belichick said during his presser that everyone needs to be better.
"Give Denver credit," he said. "They did a good job, they always do. They are a good football team. I just think that we are better than we played last night. We weren't able to make enough plays and Denver made some when it counted at key times."

"We have to go back to work and keep improving," added the coach. "In every area we need to do a better job than we did last night."

Belichick wouldn't just point to one specific thing, saying the team needs improvement in every aspect of the game.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 4:13 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Setting the scene

Hey again --

We're about one hour from kickoff and we have the requisite players warming up on the field, which at this point is mainly the kickers for each team. Stephen Gostkowski and Jason Elam are lining up for field goals, and Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk are catching passes in the end zone from an assistant coach.

The receiving corps -- minus the inactive Chad Jackson -- just came onto the field and are running routes and getting passes from Tom Brady and Matt Cassel.

There spotlight burns bright for a Sunday night game, but it also brings a heightened sense of security. Though I know why and feel grateful that they are here, it's a bit disconcerting to walk toward the stadium and see several SWAT officers with semi-automatic rifles at their chest standing at the gate where media and stadium workers enter.

We may or may not be back before the game starts...

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 7:17 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Game inactives

Chad Jackson is the most surprising Patriots inactive for today. The rookie wide receiver, who caught his first career touchdown in his first career game last week, was listed as questionable for tonight's game (as he was last week).

The rest of the inactives:

S Artrell Hawkins, TE Garrett Mills, LB Pierre Woods, G/C Gene Mruczkowski, T Nick Kaczur, DL Marquise Hill, DL Johnathan Sullivan

For the Broncos:

WR Todd Devoe, RB Cedric "I can run my mouth because I'm not playing" Cobbs, LB Nate Webster, G Chris Kuper, T Adam Meadows, TE Nate Jackson, DL Elvis Dumervil, DE Courtney Brown

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 7:11 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

How do you say "It is what it is" in Chinese?

Hey all --

Joey and I went to the press conference announcing the Pats-Seahawks preseason game in China next August, and that question is all I could think of as I was sitting there listening to Bob Kraft, Roger Goodell and Dick Ebersol talk about getting into this "new" market of China.

Can anyone help me with the translation??? You'll have my undying gratitude...

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 6:32 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Greener pastures

The field at Gillette looks pretty good given the fact the Rolling Stones played a show here on Wednesday, and the New England Revolution played here last night. It's clear the grass has been painted a deep green color. The field will look sharp in high-def on NBC.

Someone in the press box just asked: "How much paint do you think was used on the field?"

The reply: "A lot."

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 4:30 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

China Bowl

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is in town and he will announce at 6 p.m. that the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks will play the first NFL game in China on Aug. 8, 2007.

The game will be played in Beijing, the Chinese capital, and will serve as the kickoff of the one-year countdown to the opening of the XXIX Olympic Games in China.

"We are very excited and proud to be bringing our game to China," said Goodell. "We thank the Patriots and the Seahawks for agreeing to take part in this historic game. We are also grateful to our broadcast partner - NBC and its parent company GE - and to the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau and the Beijing Sports Competition Management Center. This promises to be a memorable event."

The game will be carried live on Chinese television at 8:30 p.m., and NBC will carry it live in the states at 8:30 a.m.

More to come. . .

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 4:23 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Two more tidbits

Hey all --

Willie McGinest may have his money, but it doesn't seem he has his happiness, according to this Cleveland Plain Dealer stroy.

Also, the Bergen Record is reporting that Patriots' linebacker Junior Seau has been fined $7,500 for a hit on the Jets' Chad Pennington.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 3:41 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

China confirmation?

Hey all --

Got a release today from the Patriots about a pre-game press conference they'll be holding tomorrow with team owner Bob Kraft, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and NBC Sports chariman Dick Ebersol. According to the release, the trio will be making an "important international announcement."

It may well be confirmation of a story the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune reported and we relayed almost a month ago -- that the Patriots and another team, reported to be the Seahawks, will play a preseason game in China next year. It would be the first NFL game in the world's most populated country.

Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who stepped down earlier this month, said this year that the league was targeting China as a new fan base. A game there next year could serve as the beginning of the one-year countdown to the 2008 Summer Olympics, which will be centered in Beijing -- and broadcast on Ebersol's NBC.

Interestingly, the Patriots were the first NFL team to have a Chinese-language team website.

The NFL has held preseason games in other countries since 1986, though there was not one this year.

We will of course be there and give you the news as soon as we know what it is.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 2:48 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Tedy on "Parade"

Hey all --

Tedy Bruschi and his wife, Heidi, are on the cover of this week's "Parade" magazine (which comes inside the Sunday Journal, conventiently enough). Inside, the linebacker talks about the 2005 stroke he suffered and his comeback from the potentially-devastating episode. The issue deals with a variety of health matters.

In the story, Bruschi says, "I feel like it's a victory for all stroke survivors every time I put on my uniform."

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 11:04 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

No change to injury report

The injury report reamins the same for both teams:

PATRIOTS

Questionable: Nick Kaczur (shoulder), Chad Jackson (hamstring) and Artrell Hawkins (thigh)

Probable: Tom Brady (right shoulder), Doug Gabriel (hamstring) and Matt Light (knee)

All but Brady reportedly missed a portion of practice today. Light was present at the media portion of practice today, though he had not been Wednesday or Thursday.

BRONCOS

Out: Cedric Cobbs (ankle)

Doubtful: Courtney Brown (knee)

Probable: Mike Bell (finger), Rod Smith (head)

Cobbs and Brown reportedly missed at least a portion of practice.

Unless something of interest happens before Sunday around 5p, we'll talk to you then.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 6:53 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Locker room/wrapup

Hey all --

Even though our access on Fridays comes after practice, there weren't a lot of faces milling around -- or at least, not faces that we can talk to on the record (aka rookies).

Junior Seau held court for a few minutes, as did Ben Watson. Other players were around, with most of the offensive linemen at the game table, as usual.

Forgot to say earlier that when we came in this morning around 10:30a, there were still cranes on the field dismantling the final pieces of equipment from the Rolling Stones concert on Wednesday night. Word was, they were supposed to be done around midnight last night.

While we were on the field for practice -- NBC's Andrea Kremer was there taking notes -- John Madden's Outback Steakhouse cruiser pulled up, though the man himself did not make an appearance. Madden takes the bus everywhere thanks to a dislike of flying.

We'll post the injury update in a couple of hours.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 2:06 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Perfect practice

Well, at least perfect attendance. Matt Light was on the field during media access for the first time this week, and neither David Thomas nor James Sanders was wearing a red no-contact jersey.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Friday morning

Hey all --

Coach Belichick just wrapped up his morning chat with the media. When he came into the room, he asked those of us assembled if we were ready for Denver, the question came back, Are you? He smiled and said, "I hope so."

Not only does Belichick admire Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, but he also has a lot of respect for wideout Rod Smith, and intimated today that he's the best undrafted player in the NFL.

"Every superlative you want to write down about Rod Smith, put it down," Belichick said. "He does it all. And he's killed us."

In six games (one postseason) against the Belichick-led Patriots, Smith has averaged 108 receiving yards per game, with three total touchdowns.

Though he talks a lot about the now, Belichick said that when he's preparing to play a team like Denver, where there is so much history and continuity on the coaching staff, you go back "as far as you think is relevant" in terms of studying game tapes. A lot of that work, he said, is done in the offseason, especially with this game with the Broncos coming so early in the year.

During the offseason, when it became clear that former Green Bay receiver Javon Walker was on the trading block, the Patriots showed a lot of interest in acquiring the one-time Pro Bowler.

How close was he to coming here?

"There were four plane reservations, put it that way," Belichick said. "But there was a lot more to it than that because he wasn't a free agent. He was almost on the plane though."

Denver acquired Walker with a 2006 second-round draft pick; Belichick intimated that was a higher price than the Pats could or would pay.

Belichick also touched on the improvements made by offensive lineman Wesley Britt, who went from the practice squad last year to the active roster this year.

"He's improved tremendously; he needed to get better technique and with his physical body strength," Belichick said.

We're off to practice...

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 11:10 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Practice participants

Once again, Matt Light was not on the field for the media portion of practice. The tackle was on the injury list yesterday with a knee injury, though he was in the locker room today, which is usually a sign that things aren't that serious.

Once again tight end David Thomas and safety James Sanders were in red no-contact jerseys. And we forgot to report yesterday that rookie slash Willie Andrews is back in a blue (defense) jersey after wearing a white (offense) jersey since the final week or so of training camp.

Practice squad linebacker Corey Mays was in a yellow scout team jersey with the number 51 on it -- the number of Broncos' special-teams standout Keith Burns.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 1:06 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Belichick's briefing

Hey all --

Bill Belichick began his morning presser by saying that his team is "plugging along on Denver, doing situational stuff today. The more you look at `em (on tape), the better they look, which is never a good sign."

With New England playing a lot of 4-3 against the Jets as opposed to the 3-4, Belichick was asked how he determines when to use which scheme.

"You have to take a lot of things into consideration: the other team's personnel, the other team's scheme and maybe how you think they'll try to play you which might be different than the way they try to play someone else. And at the same time maybe look at what you have available, what players you have, what kind of flexibility they have. So all those things are a factor in any game-plan decision."

The offensive line was discussed in detail from its age -- Stephen Neal, who doesn't turn 30 until Oct. 9, is the oldest in the bunch -- to its speed and whether the group has benefitted from going against a defensive line as talented as the Pats' every day in practice.

"It's been a seven-year process," Belichick said. "Is Steve Neal the oldest guy? That's a scary thought, with only five years playing experience. Yeah, they're young, they're realtively healthy in terms of their career, they've been able to play together for a while."

Belichick spoke at length about his coaching opponent this week, Mike Shanahan, in a show of admiration that couldn't have been any more different than the way he spoke about Eric Mangini last week. Part of what Belichick admires about Shanahan, he said, is his aggressiveness on the field and with personnel decisions. Part of his unpredicibility -- like in last week's game with Kansas City, when the Broncos ran a reverse on fourth-and-one for a big gain -- is what makes him so hard to game-plan for.

And speaking about Ty Warren, Belichick gave him a the utmost complement.

"He's a total team player. He's been very receptive and diligent about his role in the kicking game. We'd like to use him more than we have, but we can't because of his role on the defense. He's the type of guy you'd like to have out there for every play."

We're off to practice; be back with an update.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Locker room hijinks

Toward the end of an otherwise uneventful media session, Rodney Harrison grabbed the microphone from WHDH's Dave Briggs and started to interview fellow DB Ellis Hobbs. It was pretty funny, but became laugh-out-loud when Artrell Hawkins came up behind them and said "Talk about me, talk about me." So when Harrison asked, Hobbs went after Hawkins' wardrobe, saying he wears tight pants and shirts to show off his body.

Hawkins' response -- after he lifted the sleeve of his t-shirt and flexed his bicep -- "It's not easy being sexy."

Harrison did a lengthy session with the media, and talked about how Denver pursued him after he was cut by the Chargers. But Harrison was on his visit in New England, and said he doesn't like planes as it is, so he wasn't about to go back across the country.

Ty Warren was also a wanted man, especially after the glowing things Bill Belichick said about him in his press conference. (More on that later.)

Kevin Faulk, a proud Louisiana native, spoke about the importance of Monday night's Saints game, the first game New Orleans will play in the Superdome since before Hurricane Katrina devastated the area.

"Being from Louisiana, this is a big thing. The whole state will be thrilled," Faulk said. "Everyone in the state will be watching that game."

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 12:03 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

That was brave

So earlier today Joey posted a link we came across out of Denver with former Patriots and current Broncos running back Cedric Cobbs intimating that the New England players are "scared" of coach Bill Belichick.

And Cobbs -- who muffed a kickoff last Sunday and whose two-plus year career is 22 carries for 50 yards in 2004 for the Pats -- is currently listed as "out" on the Broncos' injury list this week.

A little shady, no? There may be some players in the New England locker room that agree with Cobbs, but there are certainly some that would support the coach -- in the form of a knock-you-into-Christmas hit -- for making such a statement in the press about Belichick.

Makes you wonder if he would have said those things had he been healthy and able to play this weekend...

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 5:12 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

First injury report of the week

Hey all --

There is one addition to the Pats' injury report: tackle Matt Light, whom we reported earlier was the only player not at practice today. He is listed as probable with a knee injury.

Here's the complete New England report:

QUESTIONABLE
safety Artrell Hawkins (thigh), receiver Chad Jackson (hamstring), tackle Nick Kaczur (shoulder).
PROBABLE
quarterback Tom Brady (right shoulder), receiver Doug Gabriel (hamstring), tackle Matt Light (knee)

All but Brady were down as missing at least a part of practice today.

For the Broncos:
OUT
running back Cedric Cobbs (ankle)
DOUBTFUL
defensive end Courtney Brown (knee)
PROBABLE
running back Mike Bell (finger), receiver Rod Smith (head)

The Broncos were slated to be done with practice around 5:30 EST.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 5:05 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Football for Dummies

I've got to tell you, it's my third week covering the Patriots and it's been pretty interesting stuff.

After covering the Bruins and Red Sox for the last five years, football is totally different. Hearing Bill Belichick talk about 3-4 defensive schemes is a little different than knowing how to kill a penalty, score a power-play goal or even execute the hit-and-run to perfection.

The Patriots players, for the most part, have been pretty receptive to the new guy. The two days that I did attend Bruins traning camp last week some of the players wanted to know why I was covering the Pats instead of them. Ah, pro atheltes attempting to figure out the newspaper business. That's like me having a million bucks in my checking account.

Anyway, enough of the cute stuff.

The biggest difference between the NHL and NFL _ baseball doesn't count because there are games almost every day _ is the availability of the players. Hockey guys are readily available in the locker room before and after practices and games. They will answer questions as long as someone is asking them. And, the pucksters are not afraid to speak their minds.

Football guys keep it to a minimum and don't give you all that much. Sure, I'm the new guy around here and I'm not expecting Tom Brady to slip me a scoop. Hey, maybe in four more years he will.

This was the sort of trivial brainfreeze stuff I was thinking about on my way up to Gillette this morning. Just a few early observations from my time covering the Pats.

Before the puck drops every Sunday, Shalise and I will continue to cover the three-time Super Bowl champions to the best of our ability _ and then some.

Stayed tuned for more obversations throughout the season. . .

Joey Mac

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 1:13 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Practice

Shalise just called in from the practice field to inform us that Matt Light is not on the field, and David Thomas and James Sanders are wearing red no-contact jerseys.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

More from Belichick

On the Broncos: "They are strong across the board. They have a good running game and have good receivers. They blitz well."

On coach Shanahan: "You all know how I feel about Shanahan. (Broncos) are very well coached and they are a very good football team. They've done a pretty good job against us, beat us twice last year. We're going to have to play better and coach better. They were one game away from the championship last year. We know what kind of football team they have and what they are capable of. We're going to have to play to that level, and if we don't, we know what that looks like, too."

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 12:49 PM | Permalink | Comments 2

Rolling Stones

If you're heading to the concert at Gillette tonight, you're going to be impressed with the stage setup. The thing is HUGE!

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 12:26 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Smack out of Denver

Shalise and I are sitting here eating pizza and she came across this story from the Gazette out of Colorado Springs.

By Frank Schwab

ENGLEWOOD - Denver Broncos running back Cedric Cobbs spent one season playing for New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, and that was enough.

Cobbs said Belichick’s reputation as a heavy-handed coach is well deserved. Cobbs, who was with New England in 2004, described the Patriots’ players as being scared of Belichick.

“There’s definitely a lot of fear out there,” Cobbs said.

The Broncos play Belichick’s Patriots at New England this Sunday. Belichick is known for his three Super Bowl championships, his lack of personality in the media and his authoritarian reputation.

Cobbs has been in the Patriots’ locker room and said the latter statement is true.

“Not only do I sense it, I’ve also experienced it,” said Cobbs, who was cut by New England at the end of preseason in 2005. “I’ve seen a lot of good players drafted in the first round, or play for the organization for a long time and get cut.”

The Patriots have dumped or not aggressively pursued Lawyer Milloy, Ty Law, Deion Branch, Willie McGinest and Adam Vinatieri over the past few years.

“They handle football like a business,” Cobbs said. “Everybody is on their toes up there.”

In Sunday’s game, Cobbs muffed the first kickoff of overtime. He scrambled and recovered the ball before the Chiefs got it. Cobbs cringed when he thought about what would have happened had he muffed a kickoff in New England.

“Muffing the ball . . . ooh,” said Cobbs, who sprained his ankle on that play and might miss this week’s game. “I’m sure I would have been even more afraid if I would have done that playing in New England.”

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan doesn’t have much patience for mistakes, especially turnovers. Cobbs said Belichick has less.

“I don’t think New England knows a player may need another chance, another opportunity,” Cobbs said. “It’s pretty cutthroat. Out here I think there’s a little more leeway. They understand players make mistakes. You just can’t make many out here.”

Belichick’s reputed cold personality was on display this week.

After a game against the Jets, who are coached by former Patriots assistant Eric Mangini, Belichick gave a half-hearted handshake to Mangini. According to Newsday, Belichick didn’t refer to his old assistant in his postgame press conference by his first or last name, just “him” or “he.”

“I’m trying to do the best with my team,” Belichick told Newsday. “He’s trying to do the best with his team.”

That’s a contrast from Shanahan, who publicly endorsed offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak for Houston’s head coaching job at the end of last season. Before a preseason game against Houston last month, Shanahan talked about how lucky the Texans were to have Kubiak and how he respected Kubiak as a person and a coach.

Cobbs has noticed similarities between Shanahan and Belichick. He said both are bent on winning, are clear on what they expect from their players and that when players make mistakes, they offer specific solutions.

“They both have their priorities straight,” Cobbs said.

Shanahan has matched wits with Belichick a few times, as opposing coordinators and head coaches.

The last meeting was a 27-13 playoff win for the Broncos in January; the Broncos also won the regular-season meeting.

Shanahan respects Belichick and said he’s looking forward to coaching against him again this week.

“You know his team is going to be well prepared,” Shanahan said. “If you beat him, you’ve really accomplished something.”

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Brady said . . .

Tom Brady just concluded his brief Wednesday presser and here's what he had to say:

The Pats are 2-0 but Brady admitted the squad will have to play much better against the 1-1 Broncos if it wants to have success this Sunday.

"They are a very good team. If you don't play well, you're going to lose. We need to play better."

On his new receiving corp: "They need to trust me and I need to trust them. . . We're working on it.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 12:01 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

More from Bruschi

Bruschi said this morning his injured right wrist feels good, and it felt good just to play football again last Sunday.

On Denver: "It's feels like the Broncos are a member of our division. We are familiar with them, and they are familiar with us."

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Guess what? Denver is a fast team

Bill Belichick just completed his morning press conference at Gillette Stadium, and he must have called the Denver Broncos a "fast team" at least six times.

The Broncos, this week's opponent, ended the Pats' season in the playoffs last January. New England hasn't forgotten about its postseason exile, and when Richard Seymour was asked earlier in the week about the Broncos he said no pep rallies will be needed to get them fired up for Sunday's game.

Tedy Bruschi said this morning the main emphasis will be to stop Denver's running game.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 11:03 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Coming soon

Over the next few hours, we'll be adding the following material to the projo.com/patriots page:

-- Game story by Shalise Manza Young
-- Game analysis by Joe McDonald
-- Feature story by Shalise Manza Young
-- Key play of the game by Joe McDonald
-- Talking points by Shalise Manza Young
-- Squib kicks by Art Martone

Posted by Art  at 7:51 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

End of game stats

-- The Patriots wound up with 147 yards rushing, on the heels of a 183-yard performance against the Bills in the opener.

-- Seven different players caught passes from Tom Brady, six of them wide receivers and tight ends. Troy Brown led the way with 4 receptions for 51 yards.

-- The Patriots converted three third-down plays on their final, game-clinching drives.

-- In his first game action of the year (counting the exhibition games), Tedy Bruschi made six tackles, tying for third on the Patriots. Ty Warren led the way with 11 tackles, followed by Eugene Wilson with 7 and Bruschi, Jarvis Green and Mike Vrabel with 6. Bruschi also was given credit for the game-ending interception.

Posted by Art  at 7:39 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Third-quarter stats

-- The Patriot defense has not held the Jets to a three-and-out series all afternoon. New York has recorded at least one first down in every offensive series.

-- The Jets more than doubled their number of total yards in the third quarter, going from 129 yards at halftime to 276 at the end of the third.

-- Tom Brady completed only 5 of 17 pass attempts in the second and third quarters, including an interception that the Jets -- with an 81-yard drive -- turned into a touchdown.

Posted by Art  at 6:22 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Run it? Yeah right

When the Pats got the ball for that final drive of the first half with just over a minute left on the clock, a colleague sitting next to me wondered aloud if New England would just run out the clock and go into halftime.

Not a chance, I said.

After it became clear that there is bad blood between Bill Belichick and Eric Mangini -- one New York Post story this week said that Mangini was locked out of Gillette when he returned from his interview with the Jets -- it also became clear that Belichick would want to win this game by as many points possible.

Other first-half thoughts/observations:

*New England has given a 4-3 look defensively on a number of plays

*Tedy Bruschi did not play in the first quarter, but was on the field for New York's first offensive series, calling the plays in the huddle as he always does. He is wearing a black cast on his right wrist

*After Chad Jackson caught his first career touchdown pass, Ben Watson ran over to the officials and grab the ball to give to his teammate as a momento

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 5:46 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Halftime stats

AP photo
Eugene Wilson and Ellis Hobbs break up a pass intended for the Jets' Laveranues Coles. Because of coverage like this, the New York offense went nowhere in the first two quarters of play.

-- The Patriots had a nearly 2-to-1 edge in total yards (256-129) in the first half.

-- The Pats rushed for 82 yards in the first half (Corey Dillon 11-45, Laurence Moroney 8-34, Kevin Faulk 1-3).

-- Josh Miller averaged 52.7 yards on three punts.

-- The Jets were able to pin the Patriots deep in their own territory for most of the day; four of the Pats' six drives started inside the New England 20 (the 18, 11, 12 and 9). Unfortunately for New York, the Patriots put together scoring drives of 87 (touchdown) and 82 (field goal) yards, and the one time the Jets gave the Pats good field position -- on the poor punt that put the ball on the 50 with 1:01 left -- New England scored in only five plays.

-- Chad Jackson scored his first NFL touchdown when he caught a 13-yard scoring pass from Tom Brady with 20 seconds left in the second quarter.

Posted by Art  at 5:05 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

First-quarter stats

-- The Patriots had eight first downs in the first quarter to the Jets' two, and controlled the ball for 9:45 of the 15 minutes.

-- Corey Dillon and Laurence Moroney rushed for 39 yards, putting the Pats on pace for a 156-yard afternoon on the ground.

-- Tom Brady completed 5 of 6 passes for 116 yards.

Posted by Art  at 4:46 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Just before the game

American Idol fans, rejoice. Everyone's favorite Chicken Little look-alike, Kevin Covais, is singing the National Anthem. Dozens of servicemen and women are holding a giant American flag and two large Army helicopters just flew over the stadium. The press box here is so high over the field that I could see the faces of the men inside one of the helicopters.

The Pats are about to run onto the field; Stephen Gostkowski is still practicing field goals. The offensive starters ran out separately, though I don't think they were announced by name. The team was booed by the fans.

We'll have more later, likely at halftime.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 4:07 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Jets inactives

For New York:

QB Kellen Clemens (3QB), WR Tim Dwight, RB Cedric Houston, LB Anthony Schlegel, G Pete Kendall, C Trey Teague, DT CJ Mosley, DE/LB Trevor Johnson.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 3:23 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Good news for Tedy fans

Hey again --

The game inactives were just announced, and Tedy Bruschi is not among them, nor is Chad Jackson or Doug Gabriel.

Those who are inactive: safety Artrell Hawkins, tight end Garrett Mills, linebacker Pierre Woods, guard Gene Mruczkowski, tackle Nick Kaczur, wide receiver Jonathan Smith, defensive lineman LeKevin Smith and defensive lineman Johnathan Sullivan.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 3:07 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Yippee.

They have the wireless up and running. The New Jersey Sports & Entertainment Authority has now come into the 21st century.

Congrats.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 2:38 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Victory!

I have commandeered a phone line of my own (insert sinister but feminine laugh here) and will be blogging to my little heart's content.

A couple of Jets players have come onto the field, and Bill Belichick is just now walking onto the turf with his two sons. Stephen, the older son, has his right arm in a sling.

We'll be back after some lunch.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 1:57 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Warming up

Hey all --

Okay, my second trip to Giants Stadium/The Meadowlands and I've already discovered that things are slightly better than when I was here two weeks ago, but they still haven't gotten things down quite yet. There's wireless internet access now, but here's the problem: no one can access the internet with it. I can use the FTP server to send my stories, which will make my (favorite) boss Art happy, but I still had to use dial-up to get onto the blog.

This is the media capital of the world? I get wireless at PC's Schneider Arena...

But anyway, Lonie Paxton was the first player on the field, practicing long snaps to assistant strength coach Harold Nash. Rosevelt Colvin followed, and soon Doug Gabriel and Chad Jackson were on the field, testing their tender hammies. Tom Brady came out in shorts and a t-shirt and started throwing the ball to Laurence Maroney and Jackson.

None of the Jets players have taken the field yet, though their flag guys have -- the quartet of men that sprint all over the field with giant Jets flags.

We'll try to post more as game time gets closer.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 1:47 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Three players out

Hey all --

Reporting from the Newark Airport, overlooking the Anheuser-Busch plant. Really; my hotel is on airport grounds. Nothing like the sounds of jets taking off every 30 seconds to lull you to sleep :)

Anyway, the Patriots downgraded three players to OUT today in advance of tomorrow's game with the Jets. Safety Artrell Hawkins (thigh), tight end Garrett Mills (flu) and tackle Nick Kaczur (shoulder) have not made the trip to New York. All had been listed as questionable (50-50 chance) on Friday's injury report.

That means there's a chance Tedy Bruschi (wrist) and Chad Jackson (hamstring) who were also listed as questionable, will play tomorrow. Bruschi said on Friday that it would be a game-time decision as to whether he'd play.

Tom Brady (right shoulder), Doug Gabriel (hamstring) and Rodney Harrison (flu) were listed as probable on Friday.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 9:22 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Friday injury update

There were no changes on either side to the final injury report of the week, which is good news because it means Richard Seymour isn't on it. After he missed Wednesday's practice, it was reported that Seymour was tending to a family matter; that would appear to be the case today as well.

So, Bruschi (wrist), Jackson (hamstring), Kaczur (shoulder), Hawkins (thigh) and Mills (flu) are all questionable for New England and Gabriel (hamstring), Harrison (flu) and Brady (right shoulder) are all probable.

All but Brady were reported to have missed a portion of practice today.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 4:09 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

The big 1-0-0

Hello again --

Lost in all the hubbub this week -- something about a wide receiver and a former coach -- was the fact that Bill Belichick won his 100th regualr season game as a head coach last Sunday.

So we finally asked him about it yesterday. Characteristically, he said now is not the time to sit and reflect.

"It was nice to win; it's nice to win the opener. I think that's the most important thing. I'm sure there will be a day to look back and count `em up or whatever, but I mean right now the only thing I care about is the `06 season. Believe me, I'd rather have 100 than 99 this week, I'm not saying that, but I'm just really focused on what our record is this season."

Though you can't tell from his formal comments, Belichick was appreciative that someone remembered to ask about his milestone. He's the 30th man to reach 100 regular-season wins in NFL history.

We'll post the updated injury list and that will likely be it until we get to beautiful Giants Stadium/The Meadowlands before the game on Sunday. Unless, of course, Bam Childress gets cut again. Or placed on the 53-man roster.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 3:27 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Tedy talks!

Linebacker Tedy Bruschi talked to the media for the first time since breaking the scaphoid bone in his right wrist on July 31 and subsequently undergoing surgery on the bone.

Bruschi said he doesn't know just when he broke the bone, he just remembers coming in off the field that day, removing his tape job and feeling that something wasn't right. He iced it, but when the pain was still there, he went to head trainer Jim Whalen to get it looked at.

Though he famously came back from a stroke suffered in February 2005, Bruschi said there was no "now this?" element after he broke his wrist just days into training camp.

"Not at all," he said. "Football is a sport where these things happen. I can't relate the two (the wrist and the stroke). All this was was a broken wrist."

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 2:32 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Friday morning

Hey again -- I know I'm a bit out of order (posting practice items before Belichick items) but it couldn't be helped.

Anyway, it was the usual small Friday crowd today. Belichick began his press conference by saying the team was wrapping up a "good week of preparation" for the Jets.

The coach touched on one of his favorite players, Kevin Faulk, who lined up wide for his horizontal touchdown grab last Sunday. "On that touchdown pass, that was a really a double move where he ran the hook-and-go and that was a way to get a double move like that on a linebacker, who's usually you're not used to seeing that type of route but it was a good matchup, Kevin ran a good route and Tom made a good throw," Belichick said.

"I think he's very good in the passing game, very good. Runs good routes, catches the ball, can run after the catch. Smart, understands coverages, knows how to get open, knows when to pull up, when to keep going, stuff like that. He's very good at that."

Topics today also included the development of linebacker/special teamer Eric Alexander, more on Eric Mangini, the difficulties of kicking in the windy Meadowlands, the strength of New York's special teams, the flu that has crept into the Pats' locker room ("That's unusual this time of year," Belichick said), and Chad Jackson and Tedy Bruschi.

On Jackson's progress: "Well, it's good to see him back out there. At least he's out there, so that's good. We have to decide [if he's learned enough to play this week] when we make our active list."

As for Bruschi, "He's doing good. He sends you his best," Belichick quipped to the inquisitor, the Globe's Mike Reiss.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 12:09 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Practice doings

Hey all --

Just in from practice, and things were different yet again today. Richard Seymour was not on the field, nor was Garrett Mills, though Rodney Harrison was.

Harrison missed yesterday's practice (or at least a portion of it) due to the flu; Mills missed practice on Wednesday, though not yesterday. Seymour also missed practice on Wednesday, though it was later reported he was tending to a family matter; the defensive lineman was at practice yesterday but was not spotted again today.

Artrell Hawkins, who apparently suffered a thigh injury yesterday during practice, was on the field as well. Tedy Bruschi, Chad Jackson and Nick Kaczur, the other players listed as questionable on yesterday's injury report, were at practice, as they have been all week.

Reporters were only allowed on the field for stretching. The players were in shoulder pads and shorts.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

The one opponent...

... you can't draw up a game plan to stop. It looks like the flu that kept Garrett Mills out of practice yesterday was the culprit that kept Rodney Harrison off the field for practice today. Harrison is now on the injury report for Sunday's game, as is safety Artrell Hawkins. Hawkins was not on the report at all yesterday and was on the field for the media access portion of practice, so I'm assuming he got hurt sometime during practice today.

The complete injury list for the Patriots:
QUESTIONABLE: Tedy Bruschi (wrist), Hawkins (thigh), Chad Jackson (hamstring), Nick Kaczur (shoulder), Garrett Mills (flu)
PROBABLE: Tom Brady (right shoulder), Doug Gabriel (hamstring), Harrison (flu)

All but Brady reportedly missed a portion of practice today.

For the Jets (no changes)
DOUBTFUL: C Trey Teague (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: CB David Barrett (hip), WR Tim Dwight (thigh), G Pete Kendall (thigh)
PROBABLE: LB Matt Chatham (foot), LB Trevor Johnson (neck), S Kerry Rhodes (ankle), S Derrick Strait (chest)

Only Teague and Dwight missed a portion of practice.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 7:00 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Harrison (flu) added to injury list

PATRIOTS INJURY LIST

QUESTIONABLE
LB Tedy Bruschi (wrist)
S Artrell Hawkins (thigh)
WR Chad Jackson (hamstring)
T Nick Kaczur (shoulder)
HB/TE Garrett Mills (flu)

PROBABLE
QB Tom Brady (probable)
WR Doug Gabriel (hamstring)
S Rodney Harrison (flu)

JETS INJURY LIST

DOUBTFUL
C Trey Teague (ankle)

QUESTIONABLE
CB David Barrett (hip)
WR Tim Dwight (thigh)
G Pete Kendall (thigh)

PROBABLE
LB Matt Chatham (foot)
LB Trevor Johnson (neck)
S Kerry Rhodes (ankle)
S Derrick Strait (chest)

Posted by Art  at 5:28 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Live from the bubble... practice

Practice is being held inside the Dana-Farber Field House today, as a slight rain has begun to fall here in Foxboro.

Everyone was accounted for at practice save Rodney Harrison. The safety wasn't seen during the media access session, though Richard Seymour wasn't yesterday, and it turned out that was to tend to personal matters.

We'll see at 4 p.m. if Harrison is on the injury report or not.

Rookie Garrett Mills, who was on yesterday's injury report as questionable due to the flu, must be doing better because he was out there today.

As we were leaving the bubble, we noticed Doug Gabriel heading to one of the outside practice fields with an assistant coach (not WRs coach Brian Daboll), likely for some one-on-one work.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 1:07 PM | Permalink | Comments 2

Thursday at the Razor

Hey all --

Nothing earth-shattering to share about the day's events so far. Coach Belichick touched on a number of topics, of course, from Junior Seau to Ellis Hobbs to Ben Watson and Doug Gabriel.

Belichick did divulge that Seau received one of the game's balls after Sunday's win over the Bills, though Seau wouldn't say whether it had any significance to him: "I'm not looking back; I'm looking ahead to the Jets," he said.

But Belichick credited Seau with setting up Ty Warren's game-winning safety. It was Seau's downfield coverage on the tight end, he said, that put JP Losman in position to be taken down in the end zone.

Belichick noted that Hobbs made a huge leap from week one of last year to week 16 of last year. "At the end of the year, he was 800 times better than at the beginning of the year, maybe more," he said.

Hobbs, as he can be, was engaging in the locker room as he talked about his development, his me-against-the-world attitude on and off the field, and his four tattoos, all of which serve as visual motivation.

The locker room was unusually quiet. There were guys milling around, but the rookies can't talk and there's only so much you can write about the offensive line, so Hobbs was the star of the show for a while.

Interestingly, Rodney Harrison has yet to be seen in the locker room this week. He is generally one of the media's favorites for his pull-no-punches style. And Troy Brown has been scarce for much of the season.

It seems like Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney have struck up quite a friendship. On the field at practice yesterday, as they waited their turn with the sled, they were joking and laughing, and today, as Dillon did his usual I-hope-you're-not-looking-for-a-quote-from-me routine with another media member, Maroney was right behind him, laughing all the while. When a photographer approached the pair to take a shot, Dillon ducked behind the curtain where we aren't allowed but Maroney posed like he was at the club with his boys.

Practice is indoors today; we'll post what we see (or don't see) in a bit.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 11:58 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Bam's out...Bam's in...Bam's out...Bam's in...

... sort of. The revolving door has swung again for Bam Childress, the second-year wide receiver/sometime corner back.

Cut from the 53-man roster yesterday, Childress was re-signed to the practice squad. Before New England's game with Buffalo on Sunday, Childress was signed off the practice squad after the team cut Jonathan Smith. Smith was re-signed to the team yesterday, forcing the cut of Childress.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 7:07 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Wednesday injury report

For the Pats:
QUESTIONABLE: Tedy Bruschi (wrist), Chad Jackson (hamstring), Nick Kaczur (shoulder), Garrett Mills (flu).
PROBABLE: Tom Brady (right shoulder), Doug Gabriel (hamstring).

All but Brady were reported as missing a portion of practice today.

For the Jets:
DOUBTFUL: Trey Teague (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: David Barrett (hip), Tim Dwight (thigh), Pete Kendall (thigh)
PROBABLE: Matt Chatham (foot), Trevor Johnson (neck), Derrick Strait (chest)

Teague and Dwight missed a portion of practice.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 4:12 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Practice Sights

During the 15 minutes the media is allowed to view practice, star defensive end Richard Seymour was not spotted. No reason to be alarmed. He may have been late or given a day off for an unknown reason but nothing will be confirmed until tomorrow. Tight end Garrett Mills was also not seen.
On the positive front, both WR Doug Gabriel and Chad Jackson were out and running routes with the offense.

Posted by Kevin  at 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Replacing Deion Branch

With Deion Branch gone to Seattle, the Patriots' number one need clearly is better play at wide receiver. Building depth in that position is the first way to get things moving and after lining up with only three WR's last week (Troy Brown, Reche Caldwell, Bam Childress) the Pats need help. Childress was waived on Tuesday, showing how valuable the team thinks he is.
The candidates to help out at WR include Jonathan Smith, Doug Gabriel and rookie Chad Jackson. Asked about Gabriel, coach Bill Belichick said the big (6-2, 210) four-year veteran is working up to speed after being acquired via a trade with Oakland on Sept. 2.
``He's a smart guy,'' the coach said. ``He spent a lot of time with our coaching staff (last week). In terms of learning it and understanding it, we do a lot of things different than other teams but he's getting it. He understands how to get open.''

Tom Brady was asked about the WR position as well.
“The more guys we can have out there healthy, the better it’s going to be. So the more guys that are out there who are able to contribute, especially (Gabriel and Chad Jackson) guys who can really do some things for this offense, that's good. When I look at last week’s game, we didn’t perform as well in the passing game as we would have liked, and there were a lot of factors that went into it. Certainly, it starts with me. I have to play better. I have to make better reads and better decisions and throw the ball more accurately. I think it will show up a lot better if I do those things better than I did last week.”
Finally, Brady was asked about building a relationship with a key receiver like he did with Branch.
``That takes a lot of time. It doesn’t happen overnight,'' he said. ``Even with a guy like Ben [Watson], we’re continuing to develop that. Kevin Faulk. Troy Brown, it's going on my seventh year. There’s a lot that goes into that. It’s not as easy as a guy showing up and learning his plays and saying ‘all right, this is how we’re going to do it.’ You have to go out and read his body language, see how he runs certain routes and the timing coming in and out of breaks. That’s what we go out and practice for every day. The more we can practice together, the more these situations come up in practice, hopefully the better we’ll do in the game.”

KEVIN McNAMARA

Posted by Kevin  at 1:05 PM | Permalink | Comments 1

Tom Brady says goodbye to D.Branch

Tom Brady just finished his weekly press briefing and the topic of the day was clearly the trade of Deion Branch. Brady and Branch grew very close over the last few years, both on and off the field. He clearly was pulling for the team to sign Branch and said throughout training camp that he felt the two sides would come to an agreement.
Here are some of Brady's words on the subject

Asked if he was `happy' that the stalemate has been resolved, he said, “I don’t think happy is the word, but at the same time, that’s what I’m dealing with and I’m ready to move on. Certainly those thoughts of mine are in the past. I appreciate everything that Deion and I have done together and what Deion has done for this team, but part of what I’m here to do is to lead this team and to do the best job I can do. That’s dealing with the guys that are here who are working hard to help us improve. I think as we saw, last week wasn’t our best effort. I take a lot of responsibility there and I realize that I have to do a better job, as quarterback, as a leader, as a captain, to get us to play better football.”
Brady said his play in last week's win over Buffalo was effected by Branch's situation.
``I think everybody would have wanted Deion here, certainly myself knowing what kind of person and player he is,'' he said. ``But as coach kind of said to us, 'it didn't work out.' I think I speak for myself and I'm a very emotional person and over the last four or five months, it's been draining. In a sense, I think I learned a valuable lesson last week. When something is really out of your control, you can't let it drain you. At least I feel like now I can move on and I know he's moved on. I wish him luck. This team now has to really look forward, and with the guys we have do the best we can."

``He meant a lot to me as a person and as a player he meant a lot to this organization,'' he said. ``Last week, I spent a lot of energy thinking about it. You look at the end of the week, it really wasted a lot of my time and a lot of my energy. It was a big mental drain and I think it affected the way I played. I just didn’t feel like I brought as much to the table as I normally could. That’s why I’m excited about this week – hey, I learned a good lesson, I’m going to go out there and try to do the best I can do.”

Asked where he thoughts things broke down in the talks, Brady answered, ``I have no idea. I wasn’t privy to a lot of the things that went on. I knew some of the things. Like I said, there is give and take from both sides. I do know that in any negotiation some people have to give, some people have to take. Who is pointing fingers, I don’t know. Like I said, I wasn’t that involved. I’ve been in those situations that Deion is in, I know where the club stands, but who’s fault it is, I don't know. It’s done. We have to move on and go out there and try to beat the Jets.”

KEVIN McNAMARA

Posted by Kevin  at 12:51 PM | Permalink | Comments 1

Mangini on Patriots' tampering charge

The Patriots have reportedly filed a grievance against WR Deion Branch seeking payment of the $500,000 in fines he accrued while holding out of training camp this summer but also repayment of 20 percent of his original $1 million signing bonus. Branch signed a six-year, $39 million deal with Seattle that includes $13 million in signing bonus.
The Pats have also filed tampering charges against the Jets on the Branch case. The Pats contend that they gave Branch permission to discuss terms of a contract with any new team, and not what a team would offer the Pats in return. Branch and the Jets apparently violated that in their discussions before he was traded away to Seattle for a first round draft choice.
``That issue is a league issue and that's where it'll be addressed,'' said Mangini. ``At all times, I expect every team to do what's in their best interest and give them the best chance to succeed. We're going to do that here and every team is going to do that around the league.''
Mangini rejected the theory that the Patriots' claims of tampering against the Jets in the Branch case are part of a intradivisional rivalry.
``I view it as just business. Each team is going to operate in their best interests and we're going to do that here,'' he said. ``I think it's important that that's the approach we take. That's just the way it works.''

KEVIN McNAMARA

Posted by Kevin  at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Eric Mangini's 1st Patriots Game

Eric Mangini spoke to the New England press today and offered a bit more than Bill Belichick did on their history and relationship. Here are a few of the first-year Jet coach's words.

``I'm excited about the game because it's a division game and it's against a good opponent. I really don't view it as going up against Bill. I view it more as Jets-Patriots and this is the next game that we're scheduled to play.''

``I took away a ton of things from both of those guys (Belichick, Bill Parcells). It was a great learning experience to work under both of them and see how they approach things. I also had the benefit of working under Ted Marchibroda, who was different stylistically than those guys. And I've also had the advantage of working under Kirk Ferentz, Charlie Weiss, Romeo Crennel and so many good assistant coaches and what I've tried to do is draw from each of those experiences and put together the best plan for the Jets.''

``I see no change (in his relationship with the Patriots' front office). That's the nature of the league. People move on and get promoted and change jobs. That's part of the business and the friendships that I have will always be the friendships. When it comes time to play, you'll do what you can to beat those friends. When it comes time to enjoy the friendship part of it, that's what I'll do.''

``It isn't about Eric. It's not about Bill. It's about the Jets and the Patriots. That's all its about. I think Bill is a great friend and will be for a long time. That's completely the way that I view things.''

Posted by Kevin  at 11:38 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Bill Not Biting

Bill Belichick was asked several times about his feelings for first-year Jets coach Eric Mangini today but let's just say that the Pats' coach wasn't in a touchy-feely mood.
Mangini was the Pats' defensive coordinator from 2000-2004 and worked with Belichick in Cleveland as well.
``I don't sit around the league and cheer for everyone else. I cheer for the Patriots,'' he said. ``It's not like Charlie (Weiss, at Notre Dame) or Kirk (Ferentz, at Iowa) or some other guys. In this league, I'm worried about the New England Patriots. On Sundays, I cheer for the Patriots. Just like a lot of other people around here.''
Asked if Mangini was ready for the jump to head coach, Belichick wasn;t exactly doling out the praise.

KEVIN McNAMARA
``I don't know what owners are looking for. I try not to get into that,'' he said. ``That's not my decison to make. What the outside world sees, that's up to them. It's not anything I have any control over.''

Posted by Kevin  at 11:04 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Busy Wednesday in Patriots Land

We're here for you Patriots fans on a busy Wednesday at Gillette Stadium. We'll have snippets from press conferences with Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and Jets coach Eric Mangini over the next few hours.

KEVIN McNAMARA

Posted by Kevin  at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Pats shuffle wide receivers

The New England Patriots have re-signed wide receiver Jonathan Smith and released another wideout, Bam Childress.

Smith, 24, from Georgia Tech, has past NFL experience with the Buffalo Bills. In 16 career games, the 5-foot-10, 194-pound Smith has 8 receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown. He has returned six kickoffs for 152 yards (a 25.3-yard average) and 15 punts for 198 yards (a 13.2-yard average), including a 70-yard touchdown against the Patriots in 2004. New England claimed Smith off waivers on Sept. 3, but released him before Sunday's season opener against his old team.

Childress is also 24, and signed with the Pats in 2005 as an undrafted free agent from Ohio State. He spent most of the season on the practice squad before making his NFL debut in the season finale against Miami.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 2:32 PM | Permalink | Comments 1

Branch trade reaction

Well, it's over. The drama has ended, though the questions will linger, no matter how much Bill Belichick wishes they'd go away. Deion Branch is a Seahawk, his pockets fat with Seattle's money, and New England at the moment has a five wide receiver corps (Troy Brown, Doug Gabriel, Reche Caldwell, Chad Jackson, Bam Childress) that won't exactly strike fear in the hearts of opponents.

Belichick began his press conference with a summation of his team's performance yesterday in its 19-17 season-opening win over Buffalo, but then moved to the Branch situation, saying, "It was a long process and we tried hard to get it to work out. In the end, it just didn't work, so we made the trade with Seattle. It's been such a long process and it got complicated at the end. The bottom line is, it just didn't work out."

He said he didn't have a word to describe the organization's feelings, whether they be that of relief or disappointment, and didn't expound much upon what he said in his opening statement.

The locker room was like a ghost town, though surprisingly, Branch's locker had not been cleaned out and his nameplate was still up. Inside were some reminders from the team, including about the travel dress code, and a letter taped to the shelf about game day child care. That letter had been there for about two weeks. His practice pants and jersey as well as a sweatshirt, were hanging up, but there was nothing personal like pictures or even deoderant to be seen.

Co-captain Richard Seymour did answer questions and seemed pretty down about the situation.

"It's a sad day, to say the least. You know, um, I don't know. It's a sad day."

Asked if he thought Branch would be back, Seymour said, "I thought he would be back. Obviously I don't hold those cards, but I thought he would be back in a Patriots uniform. You know, it's one of those things. I went through my siutation and you know, the guys were like well, eventually, things will work themselves out and he'll be back in a Patriots uniform, but I don't think any of the teammates envisioned something like this happening because I think when you look at Deion Branch, I think he embodies everything that we want as a football player, everything that we talked about that we want, the type of guys on this football team and he did as good a job as anybody else of embodyng that. It's a tough day for a lot of the guys on this football team, especially a guy like myself, guys that came in with Deion Branch and not just what he means to us on the football field but in the locker room, as a person, um, and then you also talk about what he meant to us on the football field -- a heck of a lot. Super Bowl MVP, Pro Bowl-caliber player and you know, I saw a lot of hearts broken when coach Belichick announced that news. We just have to play with the guys we got; that's all we can do."

Another defensive co-captain, Mike Vrabel, said, "I couldn't have done anything about it. Any other player on this team couldn't have done anything about it."

So now, we assume, Branch is happy. He got his big payday, he got away from New England. Seattle is even tearing up his current contract, the one that paid him $1.045 million for this season, and is starting his 5 year, $39 million deal now.

We'll have more on the reaction in tomorrow's ProJo.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 4:55 PM | Permalink | Comments 4

Patriots trade Deion Branch to Seattle

The New England Patriots have traded disgruntled wide receiver Deion Branch to the Seattle Seahawks. In a statement, the club says that Branch has been traded for an undisclosed 2007 draft pick.

ESPN has reported that the trade is for Seattle's first-round draft pick.

Branch held out the entire preseason because he was unhappy with his contract, which is worth $1.045 million for this season.

Branch, 27, played four seasons with New England. He was Tom Brady's best deep threat, and his absence seemed to leave the team noticeably short of downfield options in yesterday's opener.

He had his best season last year, making 78 receptions for 998 yards and five touchdowns. The previous season, he was Super Bowl MVP as the Patriots defeated the Philadelphia Eagles to win their third championship in four years. Branch had 11 catches in that game for 133 yards.

Your turn: React to the Deion Branch trade

Read the Associated Press story

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 1:07 PM | Permalink | Comments 3

Complete postgame report

For those of you who've bookmarked this blog, you'll want to check out the main Patriots page (at http://www.projo.com/patriots) for a complete postgame report., some of which is online already and all of which will be before much longer. If you're coming to the blog from the main page, check it out; from here on in, all material from here on in will go to the page and not the blog.

The report will include:

-- A game story by Shalise Manza Young
-- A column by Jim Donaldson, who thinks the Pats are in for trouble next week if they don't fix some of the problems Buffalo exposed today.
-- A breakdown of the game's key play -- the stop of Willie McGahee on fourth-and-1 -- by Joe McDonald.
-- A quick conversation with Don Davis, the key player on the stop of McGahee, by McDonald.
-- A profile of the game's key player, Richard Seymour, by McDonald.
-- A notebook by Young and McDonald.
-- A profile of Laurence Moroney by Kevin McNamara.
-- A look at the Pats' defense by McNamara.
-- An analytical breakdown by Young and McNamara
-- Game notes from Young and Art Martone
-- Transcripts of Bill Belichick's and Tom Brady's press conferences, courtesy of the Patriots' P.R. department
-- Numerous Patriots and Bills quotes, courtesy of the Patriots' P.R. department.
-- Journal photos
-- Links to all the relevant game stats, courtest of NFL.com.

Tomorrow, Young and McDonald will be reporting from Foxboro. The Pats won't be available until 3 p.m., so check the blog later in the afternoon.

-- ART MARTONE

Posted by   at 6:57 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Quick postgame notes

Today’s game was the Patriots’ 129th consecutive home sellout, dating back to the 1994 regular-season opener.
* * * *
The Patriots have won 10 of their last 12 home openers. Their last loss was in 2001 to the New York Jets, in the game in which Drew Bledsoe suffered a sheared blood vessel in his chest and Tom Brady became the Pats’ starting quarterback.
* * * *
Bill Belichick now has 100 regular-season victories as an NFL head coach. His record in regular-season games is 100-77, and he is the 31st coach in league history to record 100 wins.
* * * *
Today’s win gave the Patriots a .500 record (356-356-9), including regular-season and playoff games, in their 47-year history. At one point (Nov. 6, 1994), the Pats were 54 games below .500 (228-282-9).
* * * *
More to come . . .

-- ART MARTONE

Posted by   at 4:00 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Third-quarter notes

Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach
The Patriots' defense didn't give Willis McGahee much room to run.

-- The Patriots' offense came alive in the third quarter, gaining 110 yards to Buffalo's 71.

-- Tom Brady also came alive, completing 5 of 6 pass attempts for 75 yards. He raised his quarterback rating from 69.9 to 106.2.

-- Rodney Harrison leads the Patriots in tackles, with 9. Mike Vrabel is second with 7.

-- The Pats have held Willie McGahee to 63 yards on 17 attempts, a hard-earned 3.7 yards per carry.

-- Laurence Moroney, with 71 yards on 11 carries, has an outside shot at a 100-yard game.

Posted by   at 3:06 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Halftime notes

Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach
Corey Dillon is tripped up by Buffalo's Nate Clements in the first half. Dillon and Laurence Maroney combined for 89 rushing yards in the half.

-- Tom Brady was 0-for-5 passing in the second quarter and is only 3-for-11 in the game.

-- As a result, the Bills had a 97-3 edge in total passing yards in the first half. (The Pats gained 30 yards on Brady's three completions, but lost 27 yards on the three sacks recorded by Buffalo.)

-- The Pats continued to run the ball well, and have gained 112 yards on 16 carries so far. (Moroney is 5 carries/55 yards, Dillon is 8/34, Kevin Faulk is 2/20 and Brady is 1/3).

-- The only wide receiver to catch a pass in the first half was Troy Brown, for nine yards.

-- Rodney Harrison, in the first game of his comeback, has five tackles.

Posted by   at 2:29 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

First-quarter notes

Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach
Bills quarterback J.P. Losman recovers a fumble in the first half.

-- The Bills had 89 total yards, the Patriots 81.

-- The Patriots averaged 11.7 yards per rushing attempt. Laurence Maroney gained 49 yards on two carries, and Corey Dillon gained 21 yards on four carries.

-- JP Losman was 5-for-6 passing for 63 yards.

-- Losman had a 110.4 quarterback rating in the first quarter. Tom Brady's was 104.2.

-- Both teams fumbled twice. The Bills recovered both of theirs, but the Patriots lost one -- the fumble on the first play of the game that gave Buffalo its first touchdown.

Posted by   at 1:56 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Spikes out for now

The Buffalo officials are behind me, and they're saying that Takeo Spikes has suffered a hamstring injury. They did not say if he will return.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 1:34 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Whoa

Instead of a regular flyover, a B-2 Stealth bomber just flew over Gillette and that thing was scary. It came in from the north looking like a giant bat, and the shadow it made on the east stands was awesome, as was the rumble that shook the stands after it was out of sight.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 12:52 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Here and there

Team owner Bob Kraft and president Jonathan Kraft are on the field, as well as vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli. Boston mayor Tom Menino and his wife, Angela, are also with the Krafts.

With about 25 minutes until kickoff, he players left the field.

The stadium is only about 1/3 full. Peyton Manning's Sprint commercial just played on the video boards. Honestly, we're not even through kickoff weekend and I'm sick of seeing that guy already. I was watching the Steelers-Dolphins game the other night and felt like I saw him more than I saw Bill Cowher or Nick Saban. Enough already...

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 12:42 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

First-quarter notes

-- The Bills had 89 total yards, the Patriots 81.

-- The Patriots averaged 11.7 yards per rushing attempt. Laurence Maroney gained 49 yards on two carries, and Corey Dillon gained 21 yards on four carries.

-- JP Losman was 5-for-6 passing for 63 yards.

-- Losman had a 110.4 quarterback rating in the first quarter. Tom Brady's was 104.2.

-- Both teams fumbled twice. The Bills recovered both of theirs, but the Patriots lost one -- the fumble on the first play of the game that gave Buffalo its first touchdown.

Posted by   at 12:39 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Pre-game notes

The Patriots elected their 2006 captains this week, and they are the same seven men as last year: QB Tom Brady, WR Troy Brown, LB Tedy Bruschi, S Rodney Harrison, SpT Larry Izzo, DL Richard Seymour and LB Mike Vrabel.

New England is 9-2 in its last 11 home openers, and has not yet lost a home opener at Gillette Stadium (4-0).

Bill Belichick is looking for his 100th career win as a head coach this afternoon; he comes into the day with a 99-77 (.563) record. Should New England win today, Belichick becomes the 31st NFL coach to hit the century mark.

The Patriots have won five straight games against Buffalo.

Corey Dillon is the career yardage leader among active players. His nine-year total of 10,429 yards ranks 17th in NFL history, and is more than 1,000 yards more than the next-closest active player, Edgerrin James (9,226). Former Patriot and current Jet Curtis Martin (14,101 yards) and St. Louis' Marshall Faulk (12,279 yards) both are ahead of Dillon on the NFL's career list, but both are on their respective teams' PUP list to start the season.

Troy Brown opens his 14th season with New England today, and is the fourth player to spend 14 or more years with the franchise, joining QB Steve Grogan (16 seasons, 1975-90), OT Bruce Armstrong (14 seasons, 1987-2000) and LB Steve Nelson (14 seasons, 1974-86).

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 12:26 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Bruschi's out

The inactive list has just been released, and Tedy Bruschi's on it: He won't be playing this afternoon.

Other Pats inactives are WR Chad Jackson, TE Garrett Mills, G/C Gene Mruczkowski, T Nick Kazur, WR Doug Gabriel, DL Marquise Hill and DL Johnathan Smith.

Inactice for Buffalo are CB Ashton Youboty, RB Shaud Williams, S Matt Bowen, OL Brad Butler, OL Aaron Metz, DL Eric Powell and LB John DiGiorgio. The Bills' third quarterback is Craig Nall.

-- ART MARTONE

Posted by   at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Gillette comes to life

They're playing music now in the stadium and fans are starting to trickle in. There's still only about a dozen or so players on the field.

Larry Izzo, Don Davis and Junior Seau are going through some warmup exercises, and Troy Brown and Reche Caldwell are catching passes. Ryan O'Callaghan and Stephen Neal are going through their paces as well.

The field isn't in Opening Day shape -- the middle of the field, between the hash marks, is more yellow than green, and the Revolution played a game here last night. But Bill Belichick likes a ground up surface, so I'm sure he's not upset that it's less than pristine.

Breakfast is calling, so we'll be back when the inactives are posted.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 11:31 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Bam is back

It gave me great joy to be able to call my father this morning and give him the news that Bam Childress is back on the 53-man roster.

Yesterday the Patriots cut Jonathan Smith, the wide receiver they picked up after he was waived by Buffalo, and moved Childress from the practice squad to the active roster.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

A beautiful day for a football game

Good morning all --

We're coming up on 11 a.m., aka 2 hours to kickoff... It's pretty quiet here inside the stadium. There's only one or two Buffalo players on the field, along with some security personnel and camera people. Mike Vrabel just stepped onto the field and is jogging up and down the center of the field in his uniform pants and a sleeveless shirt.

Outside the stadium is a different story. Fans have been tailgating since at least 8:30 this morning, and Route 1 is at a crawl both north and south as people pour into the parking lots.

The weather is beautiful -- big, fluffy clouds in the bright blue sky.

As an aside, my parents and I took my daughter to Canobie Lake amusement park in New Hampshire yesterday. A brief thunderstorm slowed things down, but my daughter (who will be four next month) had a great time. There's a lot of kiddie rides there, and the mini whip (anyone who remembers the old Whalom Park in Lunenberg, Mass. knows the Whip well) was Jordyn's favorite. The prices at Canobie are really reasonable, and the park couldn't have been any cleaner. So basically, I'm trying to say that I highly recommend it, especially if you have young kids.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 10:58 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Updated Friday injury report

For the Patriots:

Tedy Bruschi, LB: Questionable (wrist)
Chad Jackson, WR: Questionable (hamstring)
Nick Kaczur, T: Questionable (shoulder)
Tom Brady, QB: Probable (right shoulder)
Doug Gabriel, WR: Probable (hamstring)
Stephen Neal, G: Probable (ankle)

The injury report also said that all but Brady missed a portion of practice. Print media were only on the field for the stretching part of the activities.

For Buffalo:
Matt Bowen, S: Questionable (shin)

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 8:16 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Locker room goodies

Hey all --

Jonathan Smith made his first appearance today during a low-key locker room session. Picked up off waivers when he was but by Buffalo, Smith is wearing number 81 with New England and said, "It was a surprise to get picked up by someone in the division, but once I got the call I was happy."

A third-year pro out of Georgia Tech, Smith said he hasn't been given a specific role, just learning the details of the offense: "All I've been doing is learning the plays and do whatever i can to help this team."

After some cajoling from the media, Corey Dillon also spoke and said he that after 10 years, he's still excited for opening day.

Several of the offensive linemen were at the game table, with Matt Light and Dan Koppen playing dominoes and Logan Mankins and Wesley Britt playing backgammon.

Tight end Daniel Graham, who generally provides the musical entertainment -- he almost always has his iPod on, which is hooked up to speakers -- took off his shell when he came off the field and immediately sprayed it with Febreze. I don't know why, but I found that humorous. Graham was playing some reggae yesterday, but often has 70s R&B as his soundtrack.

Though he has practiced for two days, Tedy Bruschi has yet to make an appearance in front of the media.

Unless some news breaks between now and the start of the game, we'll be talking to you again Sunday.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 2:19 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Practice peek

It was once again a short look at practice. Well, not practice for us writers, just stretching.

What did we see in that time, you ask?

Everyone was there except Deion Branch. Bruschi, Chad Jackson, Nick Kaczur... perfect attendance fail one wide receiver.

Rookie defensive lineman LeKevin Smith was once again in a red no-contact jersey, and rookie DB/WR/PR/KR Willie Andrews continues to wear a white (offense) jersey, though he is still listed as a DB on the roster.

More later.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 12:06 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Friday morning

Hey all --

Bill Belichick just finished up his Friday morning press conference, the last time we will see the coach until after Sunday's game.

He was upbeat, as he generally is on Fridays, but seemed even moreso today given that it is the season opener.

Though he is a veteran of 31 NFL coaching seasons, Belichick said he still gets nervous and excited before games -- but he does get sleep. He brought up an adage his father used to used when Bill asked him about his teams: "The hay's in the barn."

"Sleep's not a problem. Pardon the pun, but I can put it to bed," Bill said. "You've got it at this point or you don't. You're not going to change the result of the game 24 or 48 hours before. Be confident in your work."

Things are a bit different today, in that first we can take a peek at practice and then will have locker room access after that, around 1:15.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 11:40 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Parking lot changes at Gillette

The Patriots sent out this notice regarding the parking lots surrounding GIllette Stadium and we thought we'd pass them on:

"Patriots fans attending Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills will find that some changes have been made to the Gillette Stadium parking lots and pedestrian walkways to improve traffic flow for vehicles and pedestrians.

The changes are as follows:

§ From the North, the P5 gate has been closed. All general traffic should enter gates P2 and P10 North (P10N). Patrons with disabilities should enter either P2 or P4 to ensure easier access to Gillette Stadium.

§ From the South, the P9 gate has been closed. All general traffic should enter gates P6, P8 or P10 South (P10S). Patrons with disabilities should enter P6 to ensure easier access to Gillette Stadium.

§ From the North and South, the P10 parking lots have been expanded in size to ensure sufficient parking for all patrons.

§ Bus parking is now located in P10.

§ Recreational vehicle (RV) parking will continue to be located in P10.

§ A new pedestrian crossway on Route 1 has been added in front of the P10 lot.

Traffic advisory signage along Route 1 will assist in directing fans to parking lots with space available. As always, the Patriots encourage fans to be safe and allow ample time to arrive, park and enter the stadium for the 1 p.m. kickoff."

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 9:21 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Injury report update

For the Patriots:
Bruschi, Tedy LB Questionable (Wrist)
Jackson, Chad WR Questionable (Hamstring)
Kaczur, Nick OT Questionable (Shoulder)
Brady, Tom QB Probable (Right Shoulder)
Gabriel, Doug WR Probable (Hamstring)
Neal, Stephen OG Probable (Ankle)

The Pats' report says that Bruschi, Jackson, Kaczur, Gabriel and Neal all missed practice today, though all five men were on the field during the media access period of practice, which was limited to just the stretching portion.

For Buffalo:
Bowen, Matt S Questionable (Lower Leg)

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 3:42 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Tonight's game not on Belichick's schedule

The last question Belichick answered during his press conference this morning was whether or not he planned on watching the NFL's kick-off special tonight, featuring the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the Miami Dolphins.

The coach answered the Journal's Shalise Manza Young, saying with a smile "What game?" He admitted he would probably watch a little of it, but has plenty of work to do to prepare for Sunday's game against the Bills.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 1:03 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Help is on the way

Joining Bruschi at practice today is wide receiver Chad Jackson (hamstring) and offensive tackle Nick Kaczur (shoulder). All three missed practice on Wednesday and are listed as questionable for Sunday's game.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 12:51 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Bruschi is on the field

Tedy Bruschi is on the practice field.

Bruschi (wrist) is listed as questionable for Sunday's opener against the Bills and Patriots coach Bill Belichick wasn't ready to update the status on his star linebacker during his press conference earlier today.

"Good," said Belichick. "He's getting better every day."

Bruschi had surgery to repair his broken wrist on Aug. 9 and missed all of the preseason games. Meanwhile, he's been helping out with the other linebackers, making sure all will be ready for Sunday.

"Tedy has been very involved with everything," said Belichick. "He's great about that just like he was last year. He's really good pointing out things."

Linebackers, like most other positions on the depth chart, are a pretty tight group of players. Belichick said his guys communicate well and help each other.

"It's a good group and they all work well together," said Belichick. "Tedy is a big part of that."

Now, it appears he'll be a big part of the season-opener.

If he is able to play, he'll probably need to wear a cast on the wrist to protect it.

"I'm sure at some point it will be part of his equipment," said Belichick. "Just like it is with all players who need a little support."

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Injury report

With the regular season comes the fabulous Wednesday injury report.

New England Patriots (0-0)

Bruschi, Tedy LB Questionable (Wrist)
Jackson, Chad WR Questionable (Hamstring)
Kaczur, Nick OT Questionable (Shoulder)
Brady, Tom QB Probable (Shoulder)
Gabriel, Doug WR Probable (Hamstring)
Neal, Stephen OG Probable (Ankle)

Buffalo Bills (0-0)

Bowen, Matt S Questionable (Lower Leg)

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 5:17 PM | Permalink | Comments 1

One man's opinion... and mine

NFL.com contributor Pat Kirwan posted a thoughts column this week, and one of them concerned Deion Branch. Here's what Kirwan wrote:

"2. THE BRANCH SITUATION
Deion Branch has been fined all summer to the tune of $14,000 a day and has incurred fines upwards of $420,000. Now the regular season is upon us, and if he threatens to hold out until the 10th game and forfeit 10 game checks, which adds up to close to $600,000, then his million-dollar salary is gone. If he returns for the final six games in order to record an accrued season so he can become a free agent in 2007, he faces the reality that the Patriots could slap the franchise tag on him. Branch doesn't seem to hold the cards in this poker game.

Branch is the No. 1 receiver on a division championship football team and a former Super Bowl MVP. He reportedly was offered a $33 million deal over five years with close to 50 percent of it guaranteed. He wanted more money, and consequently he wants out of New England if they aren't willing to pay. The club gave him the right to seek a trade, and he was unable to come back to the Pats with the compensation the new club would have to surrender for the player.

I asked three front office executives from other clubs what they would want for Deion Branch if he were their property, and all three felt a first-round pick was mandatory, especially at this late date. As one GM said, "There is no way I trade the guy in my division unless I got extra compensation beyond a first and a good player."

My favorite analogy of the situation came from an old school personnel man who said, "I never thought I would live long enough to see a player determine what the appropriate value was for himself to be traded." The third exec said before the Super Bowl in 2005, Branch was playing like a second-round pick: 28 starts in three years, 135 receptions and nine touchdowns. But the Super Bowl and the 2006 production (78 receptions, five touchdowns -- which led the team) upgraded the guy.

My advice to the talented wide receiver is fight battles you can win and be patient when you're in a situation you can't win. Right now you're losing money, damaging your reputation, and you may be a Patriot for another two years before you can hit free agency. Don't blame the Patriots for asking for what they think they deserve, but ask why no team has offered what the Pats want to trade you."

That last line is very true. Deion wants to be paid like a franchise wideout (though not given the franchise tag), but he doesn't want the Pats to be compensated for giving up a franchise player? It's a wacky way of thinking.

It seemed like this could be fixable if Deion remains in New England, but with the news that he may take the team to arbitration seeking damages to get more money for this season if he loses his grievances, we may have reached a point of no return.

From what I've seen of him, Deion is a great guy. But here's the thing that I think he and his agent, Jason Chayut, are not getting:

You. Are. Under. Contract.

You signed it four-plus years ago, you agreed to those terms. Whether you deserve more money or not given how you've performed since you've signed that contract is immaterial. The Patriots were under no obligation to re-negotiate with you, and Chayut laughed in Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli's faces when the team offered two deals, one for three years and one for five.

Tom Brady's base salary in 2004 -- after he had already won two Super Bowls and was leading New England to a third -- was $535,000. Given that, it's hard to feel bad for someone who is slated to make just over $1 million this year and isn't nearly as important to his team's success.

(My thanks to Dana up in Bailey's Island, Maine, for calling my attention to the Kirwan article yesterday. I suppose you can also blame him on getting me into that rant as well.)

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 3:03 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Buffalo's take

Bills coach Dick Jauron and running back Willis McGahee spoke on conference calls.

Jauron, who was named one of the top 10 high school athletes of the 20th century by the Boston Globe after a standout career at Swampscott High, spoke a lot about his days in Massachusetts and said he'll never forget his roots here.

After a difficult five-year stint as head coach in Chicago (1999-2003), Jauron spent the last two years with Detroit before getting another chance to be a head coach with Buffalo. The Bills gave Jauron his first chance in the NFL coaching ranks, as a defensive assistant in 1985. Patriots coach Bill Belichick actually coached Jauron in 1976-77, when Belichick was an assistant special teams coach and Jauron was a standout safety.

"First and foremost, it's great to be back in the National Football League," Jauron said. "There's only 32 of these (head coaching) jobs in the world and this is a real opportunity. We have a young team, we're certainly hopeful...we know this is going to be a very difficult start for us."

McGahee said it took him until the end of last season to feel 100 percent after suffering a torn ACL to end his career at Miami, though he clearly was feeling good against the Pats in game seven, when he gained 136 yards on 31 carries.

McGahee said the last thing to come back was his ability to sustain a long run, and he finally did that in the Bills' last preseason game, in Detroit.

"It was a weight off my shoulders," McGahee said of the 20-yard scamper. "I waited three years for it to happen. It happened in the preseason, but it counts in my book."

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 2:37 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

The forgotten men

Forgot to say that guard Stephen Neal missed practice, a new addition to the wounded.

Rookie Chad Jackson also missed practice, as he has nearly every day since training camp began.

The injury report comes out at 4 p.m. today.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 2:15 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Locker room & practice

Since the workroom was packed for Bill Belichick's press conference, that meant the locker room was packed as well, and a couple of players got bombarded.

You know, it's amazing sometimes to watch from afar. There were no fewer than a dozen television cameras in the locker room today, and all of those cameramen also mean a reporter and sometimes even an intern. Add in another half a dozen or so radio guys plus reporters from papers that cover Portland, Maine to Hartford and all points in between, and you're talking about at least 50 people.

And when you're a media-friendly guy, like Rodney Harrison or Rosevelt Colvin, nearly every one of those people crowds around your 3 1/2 by 8 foot locker, pressing you back until you can't go any further, microphones under your nose, and bright camera lights in your face. And a lot of the camera guys are standing on step stools to get up high enough to get a better look.

Can you imagine all of that?

I have to say, I'd get grumpy sometimes too if I was a player facing that. Heck, I get grumpy when I'm trying to do my job like everyone else and a camera guy is trying to push me out of the way or make me twist in ways I just don't bend so he can get a shot.

That's why I tend to wait until the crowd has dispersed. Less pushy, and often less smelly. And a lot of the times, better quotes.

So now you have an idea of what it's like in there.

Anyway, most of the questions to Harrison, Colvin, and Brady focused on the first game and how eager they are to get the real season underway.

Corey Dillon said not much has changed as he begins his 10th NFL season, and that he's "anxious and ready to play."

Out at practice, it was the usual suspects out: tackle Nick Kaczur, linebacker Tedy Bruschi and wideout Deion Branch. Asked earlier if he had an update on the Branch situation, Belichick said, "I sure don't."

Ty Warren was back at practice after missing Monday and not playing in last Thursday's game against New York. Laurence Maroney was at practice and running drills, still with a light brace on his left knee. We also noticed a brace on Brady's left knee. Rookie tight end David Thomas was at practice without the red no-contact jersey he had been wearing the last couple of practices.

Today is the day we welcome Joe McDonald into the fold; fans of the Bruins, Red Sox, P-Bruins and PawSox already know Joe's work. He is now working the Pats beat with me and we are focused on trying to bring you the best Patriots coverage in the area.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 2:05 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Wednesday first look

Hey all --

With the first game of the season on the horizon, Tom Brady making his weekly appearance, the conference calls with Bills coach Dick Jauron and running back Willis McGahee, and free lunch (!) on the docket today, the media workroom here at Gillette has been packed.

Lunch, by the way, was a cookout featuring the new Patriots Gridiron Grillers hot dogs, sausages and bratwurst. Perhaps you've heard that New England will be serving them at concession stands at Gillette and they're also available at your local grocery store?? They're threatening to banish us if we don't spread the word, so please make sure you let Mr. Kraft know I did my part.

Okay, on to the events of today: Bill Belichick was asked about the emphasis he put on fundamentals during training camp, the progress of Doug Gabriel and Jonathan Smith in learning the offense, the importance of divisional games, being a special-teams coach and the benefits of the two tight end set, among other things.

About Gabriel and Smith: "They've worked hard; they're practically living here. We got a cot for them (laughter from the media). They've spent a lot of time with Brian (Daboll, receivers coach) and the offensive coaches. There's progress, but there's a long way to go. Seeing things in the meeting room and on the field are two different things. But they're both smart, they work hard, they have a good idea of football concepts."

On special teams coaching: "It's an interesting position, in that you deal with every position on the team, except quarterback. You deal with different personalities, different learning styles. You're trying to fit everything together a certain way for plays that are relatively disorganized once the ball leaves the kicker's foot.

"Being a special teams coach is probably one of the best learning things I had to (prepare to) be a head coach. It's a great position on the team because you're working with a degree of autonomy. I think being a special teams coach prepared me to be a head coach better than being a defensive coordinator in a lot of ways."

One of the advantages of the two tight end set, he said, is that it makes things tough for the defense because they can't overload one side for the strong side, since there are three-man sides on each side of the ball.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 1:25 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Practice squad full

The Pats have just announced the eighth and final player for their practice squad, quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan.

The 27-year old O'Sullivan was originally a sixth-round draft pick (186th overall) of the Packers in 2002. A 6-foot-2, 227 pounder from California-Davis, O'Sullivan has bounced around the league in his relatively short career -- he was originally drafted by New Orleans, and spent the 2002 and `03 seasons as the Saints' third QB, and was there for the first four games of 2004 before being traded to Green Bay for cornerback Mike McKenzine; the teams also exchanged draft picks.

O'Sullivan was the Packers' third quarterback for 11 games, but made his NFL debut in the team's finale that year. Green Bay cut him after training camp last year and was signed to Chicago's practice squad. Minnesota signed O'Sullivan off the Bears' practice squad last November and served as the Vikings' third quarterback for the final eight games of the season.

O'Sullivan played with the Vikings this preseason, completing 14-of-31 passes for 170 yards and an interception.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 4:46 PM | Permalink | Comments 1

Return of the Bam

In an announcement that will make my father happy, since he's adopted him as his new favorite player, the Patriots announced this afternoon that they have signed wide receiver Brandon "Bam" Childress to its practice squad. He had been cut yesterday when the team signed Jonathan Smith off waivers from Buffalo.

New England now has seven players on the practice squad, one under the limit.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 6:32 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

One more thing... Bruschi

Bill Belichick was asked if Bruschi would be ready to practice this week.

He smirked. "The injury report comes out on Wednesday. I'd like to tell you today, but we have to comply with the league," Belichick deadpanned, drawing laughs from the media.

We'll let you know if number 54 is on the field.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 12:17 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Locker room love

Love, you say? Yup, love from Doug Gabriel. The newly-acquired wide receiver who arrived on the red-eye from Northern California yesterday morning, was cornered by the media horde and said he's happy to be here.

The 6-foot-2 speedster -- whose prodigious dreadlocks add another 3-4 inches -- admitted to being surprised when he got word that he'd been traded from Oakland, where he was preparing to be a starter alongside Randy Moss, but said his first thoughts about coming to the Patriots led to a smile.

"This is a better opportunity for me... I'm just happy to be here," he said.

Other observations:

* Rookie back Laurence Maroney, who did not make the trip to New York for the preseason finale because of a knee injury, was spotted by declined to talk.

* Rodney Harrison said his main concern with the regular season opening is his fitness; the safety started the last two preseason games, but may be on the field for more than 50 plays come Sunday.

* Bam Childress' nameplate has been removed, but his locker is still very much full. Could the little-receiver-that-can end up on this team somehow?

Practice access begins around 12:45.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Monday morning

Hey all --

Bill Belichick just held his first press conference since after the Patriots' game in New York last Thursday, and seemed somewhat upbeat. He said New England is on its first day of preparation for the season opener against Buffalo and knows there's "excitement, anticipation for fans and teams."

But he also said this may be one of the toughest games of the year to prepare for -- not just because its the first game and the Bills likely withheld some things during their preseason games, but also because Buffalo has a new head coach in Dick Jauron and two new coordinators.

Locker room is opening now; be back with more later.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 11:10 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Another thing

Forgot one other thing -- LB Barry Gardner, who injured his left leg on kickoff coverage last night, will be placed on injured reserve and miss the rest of the season. Belichick did not specify what the injury is.

It was throrized that Gardner's injury might pull Monty Beisel off the chopping block, but clearly that was not the case, as Beisel was among the 10 players cut by the team today.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 4:39 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

What an afternoon

Hey all --

Well, the 4 p.m. deadline for Deion Branch and his agent to find a new deal and trade for the wide receiver has come and gone and things have gotten even more interesting.

The Patriots released a statement at 4 p.m. which said the following:

"No trade has been consummated. Deion Branch remains under contract to the New England Patriots."

That was all.

Belichick refused to elaborate on the situation during his 4 p.m. conference call, saying repeatedly that he would let the statement speak for itself. Of course, that statement doesn't say much.

The team also traded undrafted rookie running back Patrick Cobbs to Pittsburgh for an undisclosed draft pick and cut 10 players: LB Monty Beisel, LB Jeremy Mincey, WR Eddie Berlin, QB Corey Bramlet, LB Chad Brown, CB Vernell Brown, DL Eddie Freeman, TE Chris Luzar, WR John Stone and CB Eric Warfield.

We're trying to get answers to all of the questions involving Deion; his agent, Jason Chayut, has not returned mutiple phone calls placed since Monday.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 4:34 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Pats trade Cobbs, release Beisel, Chad Brown and 8 others

The Patriots, getting a jump on tomorrow's 6:30 p.m. deadline to reduce their roster to 53, rid themselves of 11 players this afternoon. Rookie running back Patrick Cobbs, who made a name for himself with an impressive showing in the exhibition games, was traded to Pittsburgh for an undisclosed draft choice. The Pats also released 10 players, the most notable of which were veteran linebackers Monty Beisel and Chad Brown and veteran cornerback Eric Warfield. The other players released were wide receivers Eddie Berlin and John Stone, quarteback Corey Bramlet, cornerback Vernell Brown, defensive lineman Eddie Freeman, tight end Chris Luzar and linebacker Jeremy Mincey. The release of Bramlet could mean the Pats plan to go with wide receiver Troy Brown as their third quarterback.

Posted by Art  at 4:12 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Report: Branch files grievance against Patriots

NBCsports.com's Tom E. Curran, formerly the Journal's Patriots beat writer, is reporting that holdout wide receiver Deion Branch has filed a grievance against the Patriots with the players union (the National Football League Players Association) and is requesting an emergency hearing today.

Read the entire story here.

Posted by Art  at 3:43 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Report: Branch gets offers from the Jets and Seahawks

Boston.com reports today that holdout wide receiver Deion Branch has received two acceptable contract offers, from the Jets and Seahawks, and those teams are now negotiating with the Patriots on a trade.

The Globe's football writer says If the Patriots don't like the trade offers from the Jets or Seahawks, they can reject them and keep Branch.

Posted by Peter Phipps  at 1:35 PM | Permalink | Comments 0