Archives for October 2006

‘Since the start of the 2001 season, New England is 28-7 against AFC East opponents and 18-3 since the start of the ’03 season. The Pats are a perfect 3-0 this year coming into Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, who have dropped 11 of their last 12 meetings against New England.’

‘McNally has been widely heralded for his teaching ability during his 27 years as an NFL coach. But, in assessing the Bills’ recent track record on the offensive line, the inescapable conclusion is he’s been asked to make a Cavalier run like a Corvette, a challenge that, predictably and understandably, he’s tackled with meager success.’

‘After three games without a sack, Schobel has recorded one in each of the last two contests. “I think in the last week, I changed the way I was rushing a little bit,” he said. “I quit bull-rushing so much, got a little tighter and using my quickness more. I think it’s going to help me in the long run. I’m a speed guy, not a power guy, and I’m going to start playing like that.”‘

‘Thurman Thomas was very close to getting elected last year in his first year of eligibility. Nothing is ever a lock when it comes to Hall of Fame voting, but Thomas should get elected this year.’

‘”How do you know, particularly when you’re young? You gotta believe. And all you can do is do the things you believe are right and as soon as you think they are wrong, change them. And as soon as you think the player is wrong, change him.”‘

‘The Patriots would appear to be many plays better than the Bills, and yet their season-opening matchup pivoted on one snap, when the Patriots executed and the Bills did not.’

‘Considering Losman’s line is both horrific and hurt, it’s not fair to expect big things this weekend. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see the type of awareness, escapeability and poise the former first-round pick shows in just his 15th career start. It’s expected the likes of Jarvis Green (4 ½ sacks), Richard Seymour (2 ½) and Ty Warren (two) will be in Losman’s face all afternoon, putting both him and the Bills in a tough situation.’

Gabriel is rooted to family route (Boston Globe)

It’s been safe to call Patriots’ protection a plus (Boston Globe)

One play says a lot (Boston Herald)

Even the best stats can’t predict future (Boston Herald)

Pats all done hitting beach (Boston Herald)

Gracious in defeat (Boston Herald)

Offensive line bonds with dinner line (Metro West Daily News)

Patriots take different but effective route (Providence Journal)

Seau is feeling Super in N.E. (Providence Journal)

Morgan supports Brown’s climb (Woonsocket Call)

Patriots prep for passing attack (Woonsocket Call)

Pats in a deep freeze (Hartford Courant)

A secret no more (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

Contract worries thing of the past for Pats’ center (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)

Brown has Morgan’s approval (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)

Patriots hope opening play’s case closed (New Bedford Standard Times)

Since that first play, Bills have stumbled into rut (Nashua Telegraph)

Stanley Morgan’s mark is about to fall (Brockton Enterprise)

Brown reaches goal (Quincy Patriot Ledger)

Pats’ Davis makes his few tackles count (Quincy Patriot Ledger)

Troy Brown poised to make history (Patriots.com)

Belichick Press Conference (Patriots.com)

Stanley Morgan Conference Call (Patriots.com)

Lies, damn lies and Brady’s statistics (RealFootball365.com)

‘New England wins 24-13.’

‘Patriots 21, Bills 17.’

‘The Time Warner Cable Family Corner is located in sections 224, 225, 226 and 227 of Ralph Wilson Stadium and holds a total of 1,369 seats. The Time Warner Cable Family Corner is an alcohol-free zone. Individual game tickets in the Time Warner Cable Family Corner are $36, the lowest individual game ticket price in the stadium.’

‘Patriots 23 Bills 14.’

‘"Whenever you have a receiver of Lee’s caliber you have to find ways to get him the ball," said Bills receivers coach Tyke Tolbert. "Obviously everybody knows he’s a fast guy and so they’re going to try to take away the deep stuff. So we’ve got to find other ways to get him involved in the offense and as a staff that’s what we try to do. So we look to put him in a position to be successful and catch the ball."’

‘”I do believe J.P. is progressing,” Jauron said, with the Bills preparing to host AFC East-leading New England on Sunday. “He’s not the quarterback he wants to be or the quarterback that we need him to be. But he’s building on it.”‘

‘To hear him talk, Reed scoring a meaningless fourth-quarter touchdown in New England’s 35-7 win last season has kept Belichick up at night; and the Patriots are still reeling from a 31-0 loss to Buffalo, even though it was three years ago.’