Archives for September 30, 2012

‘”Shawn’s always risen to the occasion and never been rattled in pressure situations,” said Atha. “I think he’s going to step in and boom it 60 yards.”‘

‘But the Bills have yet to keep Gronkowski out of the end zone. In four career games against the Bills he has 22 catches for 314 yards and seven touchdowns. He has scored twice in each of the last three meetings with his hometown team.’

‘Patriots 35, Bills 27.’

‘How about Mario Williams doing something to disrupt Brady’s annual trip to our community? That’s the real key. Maybe the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history could toss aside blockers like extra pillows and spend the day harassing Brady into hurried throws and interceptions.’

‘Brown – who played with the Bills from 1995 to 2003 – was not injured and refused a Breathalyzer test, police said.’

‘Since the start of the new millennium the Bills have been inept in so many areas, and one of the primary reasons why they’ve had trouble escaping irrelevance has been their incompetence in games against their AFC East rivals.’

‘”It’s 2012 now and that’s the only thing I’m worried about,” Bills’ defensive end Mario Williams said. “I don’t care about past numbers or stats or whatever. We’ll take it one game at a time and go out here and chip away at it and make things happen. That’s the biggest thing we’re all focused on.”‘

‘The Patriots’ victories in this series under Brady haven’t exactly been flukey. Ten times his Pats have scored 30 or more points against Buffalo. Twice, more than 40. Once, more than 50. Seven of the 18 wins have been by four touchdowns or more.’

‘For the Pats, this is the danger of going five-wide. Nobody is left home for pass protection to help pick up blitzes. The Ravens rushed only five, so it was five-against-five, but their alignment and paths clearly confused the Pats’ offensive line. For instance, New England’s left tackle and left guard double-teamed the Baltimore defensive end lining up inside (DE), but let Ellerbe go.’

‘”I definitely see it being a possibility. The biggest thing for us is going out and executing, hitting the field running and getting pressure on Tom (Brady). That is the biggest thing,” he said. “We just have to get out there and make him feel the pressure under heat and keep him moving. Obviously in games where that has happened to him, (the Patriots) did not come out on top. I think that is the biggest thing we have to do is come out and do what he does not like, and that is pressure.”’

‘Although the Pats came roaring back to win that regular season finale, 49-21, what happened against the Bills last season doesn’t exactly inspire confidence regarding this Sunday afternoon’s game at Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

Urgency pushes Patriots to prepare harder (Boston Globe)

Logan Mankins (hip) out against Buffalo (Boston Globe)

Patriots-Bills scouting report (Boston Globe)

Patriots and Red Sox in familiar positions (Boston Globe)

Pats already in must-win territory (Boston Herald)

Lloyd works to be amazing (Boston Herald)

Banks does Bill (Boston Herald)

NFL Gron-Quixote (Boston Herald)

O-line must go without Mankins (Boston Herald)

Scouting report (Boston Herald)

NFL Gron-Quixote (Boston Herald)

Patriots’ red-zone struggles a big reason for 1-2 start (Providence Journal)

Mario Williams’ arrival changed expectations in Buffalo (Providence Journal)

Beating Buffalo is no longer a given for Patriots (Providence Journal)

Patriots-Bills: Keys to victory (Providence Journal)

Patriots try to stop slide vs. Bills (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

New England Patriots’ production lacking in red zone (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

Bills no patsies for Patriots (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)

Patriots have come close, but unable to close out games (Brockton Enterprise)

Patriots looking to change fortunes against Bills (Springfield Republican)

Logan Mankins did not travel with New England Patriots to Buffalo (Springfield Republican)

What to watch for when the Patriots play the Bills Sunday (Springfield Republican)

It’s early, but Pats faced with a biggie (Lowell Sun)

Patriots need to hold on (Manchester Union Leader)

Patriots need to slam the door in fourth quarter (New Bedford Standard Times)

Patriots re-sign backup offensive lineman (Nashua Telegraph)

A stuttering start (Metro West Daily News)

Patriots re-sign Tennant (AP)

Patriots sign OL Tennant (The Sports Network)

Source: Rob Gronkowski to play (ESPN)

Logan Mankins, Brandon Deaderick, Justin Francis, Alfonzo Dennard Inactive Sunday Against Bills (NESN)

Report: Logan Mankins Out Sunday vs. Bills, Patriots Re-Sign Matt Tennant (NESN)

Tom Brady Gets Flak From Buffalo Fans as Billboard Says Not to Give Him Hotel Room (NESN)

Report: Kellen Winslow Asked for Release From Patriots Because He Wanted More Playing Time (NESN)

Mankins doesn’t make trip to Buffalo (CSN New England)

What To Watch For In Patriots-Bills Week 4 Matchup (WBZ-TV)

Patriots Sign OL Matt Tennant (Patriots.com)

‘Prediction: Patriots over Bills.’

‘Brown was not injured from the accident, but refused to submit a breath test to check his alcohol content.’

‘”It’s great because for a couple of hours you make Boston feel like Buffalo,” says co-president Tim Sweeney. “When we play the shout song, you don’t have to hold back.”‘