Archives for December 26, 2008

‘Our pick: Patriots 35, Bills 20. And the Jets take care of the Dolphins, too. Patriots head to the playoffs.’

‘Patriots win 24-13.’

‘Receiver/punt returner Roscoe Parrish is also doubtful after missing practice all week because of a knee injury. Parrish was hurt last Friday in practice and aggravated the injury against the Broncos.’

‘Questionable for Sunday’s game are Marshawn Lynch and Kawika Mitchell. Mitchell has practiced each of the last two days and is likely to play. Lynch did not practice on Wednesday, but did so on Thursday before resting again on Friday with his bruised shoulder.’

‘Last week’s win in Denver was the Bills’ first against a team with a winning record after dropping their first six such games. When you’re 5-1 and sitting atop a division that features a team that lost its MVP quarterback, a team that went 4-12 in the previous season and a team that went 1-15 in ’07, last place is probably the last place you expect to end up.’

‘The “Man of the Year” award goes to punter Brian Moorman. This award was established in 1986 and is presented for outstanding performance and dedication on the field and in the community. Moorman is the 23rd recipient of the award and is enjoying one of his finest seasons ever as a pro averaging nearly 45 yards per punt with 22 punts inside the 20 yard line. His continued work with his P.U.N.T. Foundation helps numerous kids that are facing life threatening illnesses.’

‘Lynch and Jackson have combined for 83 receptions through Week 16, tied for first in the league with New Orleans running backs Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas. With Bush out for the season’s final week with a sprained left knee, Lynch and Jackson are in position to surpass the New Orleans duo against the Patriots’ 15th-ranked pass defense.’

‘”I think the two most important things for any quarterback is decision making and accuracy,” said Patriots coach Bill Belichick. “You can’t be a good quarterback without those two elements, and I think Matt has displayed those throughout the course of the year.”‘

‘The Bills are tied for the second fewest penalties at 68. Seattle and Atlanta also have 68. The Bills have the second fewest penalty yards – 518.’

‘”The mountains are a big difference between Buffalo and Boise. The summers here are nice but way more humid. There, it’s not humid. It’s really dry and hot. I love the summers here. Every season here is enjoyable, except for the 100 mph winds. The snow is nice, it’s just the wind that gets you.”‘

‘They need a play-maker like Dallas Clark or Jason Witten; having one will do wonders for Trent Edwards.’

‘"When you have a surrounding cast like he has, and the coaching staff he has, it makes it a lot easier, but ultimately you have to do your job and he’s done it very well," said Kelsay.’

Junior achiever (Boston Globe)

Welker tunes out records (Boston Globe)

Plays led to Patriot’s predicament (Boston Herald)

Big-hearted Ty Warren comes through for boy who lost house in fire (Boston Herald)

Bills’ Peters may be sidelined (Providence Journal)

Patriots ignore the pain (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

Born to run (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

Backs finding traction (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

Patriots: The way they were (Brockton Enterprise)

Cassel has given Patriots fans the best present ever (Manchester Union Leader)

‘Keeping seven defenders back will ultimately frustrate Cassel more than having five guys pursue him. It’s too late for the Bills to demonstrate they can be specifically good at sacking, but they can still work toward general goodness by keeping their safeties deep to combat long threats and their linebackers near their places to impede underneath or quick throws to tight ends or Wes Welker, respectively.’

‘”Peters is probably as athletic as any lineman in the National Football League,” Belichick said. “He has great size and tremendous power. He’s a great football player.”‘