LOCAL SHOTS

• Karen Guregian reveals what's been flying thick and fast between both teams this week - respect and praise.  Everyone is just so gosh-darn appreciated it's sickening.
• Chris Gasper questions how much is Maroney's shoulder weighing on him heading into Sunday night's game against the Chargers?
• Shalise Manza Young talks about Harrison, Vrabel, Hobbs and Wilfork, who talk about Chambers, Jackson, Sproles and Tomlinson.
• Young notes how the Patriots offense has evolved, and checks in with Stephen Gostkowski and special teams.
• Mike Reiss gives us safety Rodney Harrison's reflections on his time in San Diego as a Charger.
• Patriots.com provides offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels Press Conference transcript.
• Matt Cassel's Thursday Press Conference transcript.
• Not liking Thursday's Practice Report at all.  Reiss mentions the Flu for Dave Thomas, a thigh injury for Stephen Gostkowski, and calf injury for LaMont Jordan.
• Mark Farinella catches up with Matt Light and gets his unique take on the rivalry.

FOCUS ON THE CHARGERS

• Kevin Acee (San Diego Union-Tribune) warns the Chargers need to find a way to do better at playing keep away.  Hey, who gave him our game plan?
• Chris Jenkins (San Diego Union-Tribune) tells Matt Cassel's story, from sideline clipboard carrier to replacing an icon in the huddle.
• Todd Leonard (San Diego Union-Tribune) talks about Bolts' linebacker Antwan Applewhite, the return of Rodney Harrison, and Charger injuries.
• Mike Reiss gives us his Chargers in Focus pre-game analysis, noting that San Diego will be wearing their alternate Powder-Blue jerseys on Sunday.
• Patriots.com has everything you wanted to know about Patriots vs. Chargers, including broadcast info, series history, quick hits and connections.
• Michael Lombardi (The National Football Post) gives his take on Rivers, Tomlinson, and the Chargers game plan.
• Here are the latest injury reports and projected starting line-ups for both teams.
• Projo.com's short and sweet Week 6 Patriots-Chargers preview.
• Take Projo's Patriots vs. Chargers quiz and see how much you know.

LONG SHOTS

• Matt Williamson (Scouts Inc.) focuses on the Patriots offense, saying their patience is showing progress.
• Vinny Iyer (Sporting News) picks the Patriots to win Sunday night.  Me too!
• John Clayton (ESPN) writes Sunday's Patriots-Chargers showdown was supposed to be one of the marquee games of the season, but the luster is wearing off.
• Gary Horton (ESPN) looks at the Randy Moss - Antonio Cromartie matchup.
• Eric Edholm (ProFootball Weekly) includes excerpts from Showtime's "Inside the NFL," where Mike Lombardi and Chris Collinsworth discuss Al Davis' tampering charge against New England.
• Matt Sohn (ProFootball Weekly) asserts that RB Laurence Maroney is beginning to wear on the patience of the Patriots’ coaches.
• Michael Lombardi (The National Footbal Post):  "One of the many things I respect about Bill Belichick as a coach is that when someone finds a way to attack his defense, the following week, the same plan won’t work as well."
• Pete Schrager (Fox Sports on MSN) believes at 3-1, the Patriots are still the odds-on favorites in the AFC East. But unlike previous seasons, it will be no cakewalk.
  

LOCAL SHOTS

• Mike Reiss presents the Defensive Snapshot from Sunday's game against the 49ers.  Interesting analysis of the game plan and informative to see which players had how many snaps.
• Reiss gives us Wednesday's Practice Report with the news that LaMont Jordan did not practice yesterday because of a calf injury.
• Karen Guregian notes Richard Seymour's response to the Chargers' dirty talk, "I'll let my play do the talking for me," and other team news.
• Chris Gasper points out Matt Cassel's increased confidence after the 49ers game.
• Rich Garven talks up the Patriots' ground attack.
• Kerry Byrne gripes the Patriots' Defense has more issues than Lindsay Lohan.
• Chad Finn suggests the Patriots need someone to step up and become a Genuine Playmaker on defense.
• Tom Wilcox gets Hall of Famer Andre Tippet's view on rookie linebacker Jerod Mayo and on Mayo's transition not only into the NFL, but into the starting lineup.
• Charles Pierce says Randy Moss didn’t get traded from Oakland. He got rescued.
• Mike McDermott updates us on struggling Chargers' running back, LaDainian "Turf Toe" Tomlinson, and other news around the NFL.
• Shalise Manza Young reports Patriots' Bruschi reunited with his college coach in San Jose, and will address the San Jose Spartans before their game.
• Young discovers Deltha O'Neal enjoys playing for the Patriots alongside Rodney Harrison. 

FOCUS ON THE CHARGERS

• Kevin Acee (San Diego Union-Tribune) gives us the San Diego perspective, and Chargers' team news and updates.
• Acee writes, LT denies Patriots are a rival.  Huh?
• Chargers' head coach Norv Turner and running back LaDainian Tomlinson addressed the media yesterday.
• Gasper rehashes the bad-blood between Pats-Chargers matches, but says "ending the football feud was the theme yesterday for both teams, as they made like Aretha Franklin."  I'll believe it after the post-game interviews.
• Guregian says LaDainian Tomlinson is not in his MVP form.
• Wilcox gives us his three keys vs. the Chargers.
• Young says Vince Wilfork has no problem with the fiery leadership of QB Philip Rivers.
  

LONG SHOTS

• ESPN reports "Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis has received a formal letter from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell informing him the franchise is subject to penalties for the public accusation of tampering against the New England Patriots."  Could be fines of $250k or draft picks or both.
• Dave Goldberg (AP) talks up the Patriots vs. Chargers matchup and the challenges facing each team.
• Matt Brown (STATS) says inconsistency continues to dog the Chargers, who have to beat the patched-up Patriots to avoid falling into a deeper hole.

POWER RANKINGS

• What If Sports ranks them 18th (+4)
• Fox Sports on MSN ranks them 11th (+4):  Bill Belichick engineered the perfect blueprint against a Mike Martz offense, namely playing "Keep Away" on offense by holding the ball for nearly 40 minutes against the 49ers.
• ESPN ranks them 9th (+13):  The Patriots got just what they needed after their bye week. They bounced back from their crushing Week 3 loss to the Dolphins with a methodical victory over the 49ers.
• ProFootball Weekly ranks them 9th (+4):  Shocking that teams don’t expect a Kevin Faulk direct snap.
• NFL.com ranks them 9th (+4):  Maybe this Matt Cassel guy isn't so bad after all?
• USA Today ranks them 9th (+1):  Big test looms for Cassel in San Diego this week.
• The Sporting News ranks them 7th (+3):  The Patriots have realized no one can replace Brady, last year's MVP, but they can still win with committee contributions from their offense. Matt Cassel just needs to keep leaning on his fine supporting cast.
• Peter King at SI ranks them 6th (+4):  The hounds have been released. Matt Cassel has been allowed to throw it way far downfield. See that smile on the sidelines from Randy Moss?
• Dr. Z at SI ranks them 6th (+1):  The jury's still out. Don't forget that the Niners, with J.T. O'Sullivan looking like a highly functional NFL quarterback on one play and Ichabod Crane on the next one, were down by only six with 10:22 left. OK, the Pats closed it out, but if you asked me which team on the field showed more fire and spirit, I'd have to say San Francisco.

The National Football Post reports that Al Davis is in violation of league rules:

League sources have confirmed to us here at The National Football Post that the NFL League Office has sent Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis a letter informing him that he was in violation of NFL league rules when he falsely accused the New England Patriots of tampering with then Raider wide receiver Randy Moss.  This violation of NFL team policy and guidelines will certainly come with a hefty fine.

Follow up on this story directly from Michael Lombardi at the National Football Post.

Continue reading this post »

LOCAL SHOTS

Tom Brady underwent surgery to repair his injured left knee Monday at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, NFL sources said. One source indicated that the procedure went well.

• Mike Reiss reports on the success of the Patriots rushing attack, how the rookie corners are doing, and the practice squad flying out for the week to prepare for Sunday.
• Karen Guregian says the Patriots and Chargers aren't the same teams they were last year, but the bad blood and ugly baggage between the two teams won’t likely change.
• Guregian noticed that Bill Belichick praised Chargers QB Philip Rivers, singling him out for his grit, toughness and play under pressure.
• Mark Farinella talks up the running-back-by-committee plan, saying the Patriots are riding the success of their four horsemen.
• Farinella also has a great article on Randy Moss growing into his role as leader and the people who are unwilling to cut the guy some slack.
• Bill Belichick turns the page to San Diego in his Tuesday conference call with the media.
• Shalise Manza Young focuses on Belichick's decision to challenge where the refs spotted the ball after a Kevin Faulk reception.  Game clincher.
• Reiss answers reader questions regarding Maroney, Cassel, the defense, the rookies, Al Davis, and more...
• Patriots Football Weekly also opens its mailbag and responds to the fans.
• Kirk Minihane notes that Kevin Faulks two rushing touchdowns are no surprise to those who know how pivotal a player he really is.
• Reiss comments that it's too early to tell who will lead the wide open AFC, but Patriots are in the pack.
• Bill Belichick joins WEEI live from California after the Patriots win over the 49ers.  Coach Hoodie, as usual, lets his hair down a bit with the Big Show crew.
• Michael Felger puts the Pats back at the head of the class with his report cards.  "It's still remarkable how many situationally unaware, poorly-coached football teams the Patriots seem to play every year."
• Hey, Patriots fans! Stop by your local Shaw's or Star Market and join the New England Patriots in their efforts to tackle childhood hunger.

FOCUS ON THE CHARGERS

• Chris Jenkins (San Diego Union-Tribune) says, "More than any opponent in the NFL, including division rivals, no foe brings out the rage and fighting words in the Chargers like the Patriots."
• The Union-Tribune issues their own scouting report on the Patriots.
• Chargers.com gives us the California version of the San Diego vs. New England Game Preview
• New England Patriots vs. San Diego Chargers Game Preview from Patriots.com
• The Chargers look to get back to even Sunday night when they host the defending AFC Champion New England Patriots.
• Head coach Bill Belichick said it almost feels like a division game against the Chargers because the teams have met so often in recent seasons.

LONG SHOTS

• Michael Lombardi (National Football Post) comments on the Al Davis tampering charge, and the rumor-mongering that has accompanied it.
• USA Today issues it's Patriots Report Card along with a nice recap of Sunday's win and a detailed notes and quotes section.
• The Football Night In America crew thinks it's a must-win game for the Chargers vs. Patriots.
• Greg Easterbrook (ESPN):  Sweet Quarter of the Week: New England held the ball for all but six snaps of the third quarter at San Francisco -- and on the Squared Sevens' snaps, the results were zero first downs and one turnover.
• Pat Kirwan (NFL.com) addresses time travel in the NFL -- make that time zone travel.
• Daniel Brown (Mercury News): 49ers head coach Mike Nolan said execution, not play-calling, is to blame for loss.  This marked the second consecutive week that Nolan cited player mistakes, mental or physical, for pivotal breakdowns.

LOCAL SHOTS

Patriots Football Weekly has been and will be tracking as much of the Patriots time in San Jose as they're allowed to - whether it’s here on their blog or through updates on Patriots.com.  Well worth a read for the inside scoop.

• Mike Reiss looks at the snaps played by offensive skill-position players in the Patriots' 30-21 win over the 49ers.  Given the high snap count [81], it gives one an appreciation for the conditioning of WR Randy Moss and TE Benjamin Watson, who came off the field just three and four plays, respectively.
• Reiss gives us a look at the positional groupings utilized by the Patriots in Sunday's 30-21 win over the 49ers
• Chris Gasper notes the Patriots made valuable use of defensive packages.
• Gasper discovered that the team treated Victory Monday the same way they would have had they been hunkered down at Patriot Place instead of practicing at San Jose State this week.  The players have embraced the stay out west.
• Karen Guregian puts stock in the Bye week's bonding between Cassel and Moss.
• Guregian mentions one more significant stat: the Pats went 2-for-2 in the red zone, after a pair of games where they couldn’t buy a touchdown.
• Shalise Manza Young says the Patriots thank their offense for making defense look good against the 49ers.
• Young points to the benefits of the team staying on the west coast to prepare for the  Chargers.
• Mark Farinella writes that Belichick is back to his scheming ways with the "speed package" he unveiled on Sunday.
• Farinella also reports on some frustrating technical issues with yesterday's player-media conference calls.
• Patriots.com hails the three interceptions that helped the Pats win.
• Eric Mchugh concludes the key to it all was third down, and hands out his report cards.
  
• Ron Borges chimes in with his analysis and report card for each position.  He's a much tougher grader than Mchugh.

HOT SHOTS

• Lauren Carter clues us in to what's on Brandon Meriweather's playlist.
• Four players and a Belichick held conference calls with the media Monday.  Wes Welker, Rodney Harrison, Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris, Bill Belichick.
• The Herald's Point After blog highlights Belichick's confidence in Maroney.
• Young gets Up Close With Logan Mankins.
• Jim Donaldson reports on clutch, dependable Kevin Faulk.
• "Unbeatable Coverage".  Tedy Bruschi and SBLI re-upped the pitchman’s contract, which began in September 2007, for another two years.  Great call by SBLI.

LONG SHOTS

• Greg Beachum (AP) continues his analysis of Sunday's win, saying the Patriots returned from their bye week with a comprehensive effort that should erase the bad taste of the defending AFC champions' stunning blowout loss to Miami.
• Beachum (AP) also writes from the 49ers perspective.  "[Head coach Mike] Nolan was surprised to see New England's lack of innovation for the game after coach Bill Belichick's staff had a bye week to prepare. Nolan said the Patriots did nothing the 49ers hadn't already seen on film - which suggests New England's opinion of the 49ers is every bit as low as San Francisco's defensive abilities."
• ProFootball Weekly lists a few facts and figures for the upcoming week 6 matchups, including New England at San Diego.
• USA Today quotes LaDainian Thomlinson that it's a critical time ahead for the Chargers with the next few games determining what type of team they're going to be this year.
  
• Kevin Acee (San Diego Union-Tribune) says this Sunday night's prime-time matchup between the Chargers and Patriots has diminished in intrigue.

Adam Schefter (NFL.com) reports Now that the Raiders have charged the Patriots with tampering, Oakland is going to have to prove it.  Doesn't everyone know by now not to ignore a Roger Goodell memo?

OFFICIAL SHOTS

• Patriots recap the win over the 49ers.
• Game notes by the team.
• Pats-49ers team analysis of offense, defense, and special teams.
• New England player post-game quotes and comments.
  

LOCAL SHOTS

• Chris Gasper likened yesterday's win to a game of keep away, where the Patriots outgained San Francisco 377 yards to 199 yards, ran 80 plays to just 48 for the 49ers, and dominated time of possession - 39 minutes, 52 seconds for New England and 20:08 for the 49ers.
• Mike Reiss points out "the club overcame two early deficits, before all elements of the team - offense, defense, special teams, and coaching - weaved together to produce one meaningful victory."
• Shalise Manza Young says after shaky start, the Patriots click in all facets.
• Young notes the importance of Cassel deviating from the usual dink and dunk to getting Randy Moss more involved in the offense.
• Reis's Pieces is worth a read for his Ups and Downs, and notes and quotes from Sunday's win.
• The Herald gives us their own Ups and Downs, and Best and Worst of yesterday's game.
• The Herald offers up Kevin Faulk as the player of the game, and praises Randy Moss, Rodney Harrison and Stephen Gostkowski for superior play.
• Gregory Lee Jr. talks up the offense and how Moss's early score opened passing lanes for the patented Wes Welker slip screens. Welker finished with a game-high eight catches for 73 yards.
• Jim Donaldson asserts that controlling the clock was key to the win.
• Art Spander notes the proof was in the numbers.  Through three quarters the 49ers were in control of the ball a mere 12 minutes 46 seconds out of 45 minutes.
• Rich Garven says Cassel went deep, executed the small stuff and, just like Brady, has a winning record.
• John Tomase says the play of the game was the direct snap to Faulk for the touchdown.
  

HOT SHOTS

• Gasper gives a shout-out to Kevin Faulk, who had the first two rushing-touchdown game of his 10-year career, and the pivotal play in the game.
• Karen Guregian says with Laurence Maroney still struggling to hit his stride, there might be a running back controversy brewing.
• Tomase focuses on Randy Moss being treated like the big-play threat he is, with the result being the team’s highest-scoring game of the season and a trickle-down effect that was felt across the entire locker room.

LONG SHOTS

• Tom FitzGerald (San Francisco Chronicle) says the Patriots pounded out 144 yards rushing led by a relay team of four running backs who did everything but pass a baton.
• John Crumpacker (SFC) calls the Niners defense toothless, as it was unable to get off the field from the second quarter on.
• Crumpacker also calls out the offense, saying the receivers didn't give O'Sullivan much help.
• Gwenn Knapp (SFC) explores if the loss was an execution problem or a strategic problem for the 49ers.
• Ray Ratto (SFC) points out that it's tough to win games without having the ball.
• NFL Game Center has post game stats and analysis, along with a nifty little highlight reel to relive the sweet victory.
• Greg Beachum (AP) recaps the game and notes that  Moss had his 57th 100-yard receiving game, the third-most in NFL history. He's within two of Indianapolis' Marvin Harrison, who hasn't had a 100-yard game this season.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) notes the Patriots avoided a faceplant by surviving a tough scenario to remain within striking distance of the Buffalo Bills.
• Peter King (SI) on naming Stephen Gostkowski his Special Teams Player of the Week:  "I'm long overdue in recognizing this rising-star kicker...For the year, he's hit on all 10 field goals he's tried."
• Don Banks (SI) laments the vacancy left by the truly superior 2007 Patriots.  "On Sunday, it was just another day in the suddenly devoid of dominance NFL.  Where have you gone Bill Belichick and your perfect-season Patriots? A football nation turns its lonely eyes to you."  
  

LOCAL SHOTS

• Barbara Matson checks in with wide receiver Sam Aiken.
• Karen Guregian gives us the Adalius Thomas - Mike Nolan admiration society.
• Guregian says the players are glad to say bye to the Bye, or as Tedy Bruschi put it, "they’re sick of smacking each other in practice and want to pop someone else for a change."
• Chad Finn posts the transcript of Bill Belichick's Friday Q & A session with reporters.
• Eric McHugh writes "Mayo no Willis, but not for lack of effort."
• Mike Reiss reports on Patriots defensive coordinator Dan Pees' turn with the media, and then spends a few minutes with Lamont Jordan.
  
• Reiss expects that former Patriots OLB Tully Banta-Cain might see his first playing time this season, due to Manny Lawson's hamstring injury.
• Mark Farinella tells us that Vince Wilfork is just itching to get back on the field and exorcise those Miami demons.  Says Wilfork, "it all boils down to trusting one another out there on the field."
• Ron Borges writes about the QB that got away,  "single-minded perseverance in the face of consistent disappointment is the formula O'Sullivan followed into the 49ers' huddle this season," and he's making the most of his big opportunity.
• Mike Petraglia reminisces with Belichick about his memories of Candlestick Park.
  

LONG SHOTS

• Tim Graham (ESPN) noticed Dan Pees didn't sound like a happy camper during Friday's news conference.
• Keith Kidd (Scouts Inc.), writing for ESPN.com, has Patriots first-round LB Jerod Mayo ranked eighth on his top-20 list of "impact rookies."
• Graham presents his AFC East Week 5 preview.
• Dan Brown (Inside Bay Area) wonders if the 49ers will use trickery to upset the Pats.  "We might do it a little bit," running back Frank Gore said with a smile. "You'll see."
• Matt Sohn (ProFootball Weekly) speculates on 2nd round draft pick Terrence Wheatly's scarce playing time.

LOCAL SHOTS

• Karen Guregian has a great piece on Head Coach Bill Belichick and his passion for breaking down the game.
• Guregian notes the Patriots "have lost by 14 points or more just 11 times in the regular season since Belichick became the coach in 2000," and takes a look at how they've bounced back after an embarrassment.
• We need to talk.  Chris Gasper reports on Matt Cassel and Randy Moss having a sit-down and spending some quality time together.  How sweet.
• Gasper also gives us an in-depth look at all that's involved in the Patriots 10-day West Coast road trip.  Here is his quick video on the subject.
• Rodney Harrison on team bonding during the trip:  "I don’t know if we’re going to get in a circle and sing ‘Kumbaya’ or anything like that."  He does know that they'll have to keep an eye on Niners TE Vernon Davis.
• Shalise Manza Young compares Jerod Mayo with San Francisco's Patrick Willis.
• Jim Lazar reports on the Patriots' extended stay out in Sunny San Jose.
• Mike Petraglia offers his views from the Patriots' locker room on Thursday.
• Chad Finn gives us a Q & A session with Matt Cassel.
• Robert Lee says Cassel believes that it won't be long before he and Moss have a big game together.
• Mike Reiss gives us Thursday's Participation report, with Wes Welker (groin) added to the limited participation section.  Yikes!
• Tom Wilcox says the Patriots Defensive unit hasn't exactly looked like the Fearsome Foursome.
• Wilcox also waxes on about Matt Cassel.  "This week, what [Cassel] needs to do is show that he has put the loss to the Dolphins behind him and is, as many of the players and coaches have reiterated, truly the best man for the job."
• Mike Petraglia's blog includes a few new Troy Brown tidbits, and recalls some old familiar favorites.

FOCUS ON THE 49ERS

• Mike Reiss puts the 49ers in focus, noting 4 areas that stand out and giving his expert pre-game analysis.
• Mike McDermott's Football Today says the 49ers aren't great but they are legitimate again, among other NFL items of note.
• Tom Wilcox tells us Three things about the Niners - O'Sullivan, Gore, & the  Defense.
• Projo's short and sweet  week 5 Patriots vs. 49ers preview.
• Tony Moss gives his NFL preview and analysis of Sunday's matchup.
• Robert Lee says the Patriots rushing defense won't get any easier Sunday, as the 49ers possess one of the NFL’s most dangerous rushers in Frank Gore.
• Patriots coach Bill Belichick considers San Francisco’s Vernon Davis to be one of the best tight ends in the NFL
• Glen Farley reports that Mike Martz and the 49ers are a bomb threat.
• Brian MacPherson reminds the Patriots that the 49ers thrive on third and long.
• Take the Patriots-49ers quiz and see how much you know.

SHOTS FROM AFAR

• John Crumpacker (San Francisco Chronicle) says O'Sullivan can wing it and has the highest completion percentage in the league, throwing passes longer than 20 yards.
• Frank Gore tells the SFChronicle that he's confident in his team's own genius, Mike Martz, and is ready for a match of wits between Martz and Belichick.

LOCAL SHOTS

• Bill Belichick responds to Raiders owner Al Davis's accusations that the Patriots tampered with Randy Moss, before the 2007 trade that brought him to New England.
• Shalise Manza Young reports that according to NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, "No tampering charges have ever been filed with our office with respect to Randy Moss." 
  
• Young updates us on the status of rookie linebacker Shawn Crable who has yet to see any playing time.
• Mike Reiss reports from the Patriots locker room, his Nuggets from Gillette.
• Reiss glues us in on the bonding status of Randy Moss and Matt Cassel.
• Projo.com provides the full transcripts of Bill Belichick's Wednesday press conference, and Randy Moss'  Wednesday press conference.
• Rich Thompson says Laurence Maroney and ball control are key for the Patriots.
• From the Patriots team website:  "Pro Bowl nose tackle Vince Wilfork has two years remaining on his rookie contract but...he would like to emulate Troy Brown, who retired last week after 15 years – all spent in a Patriots uniform.
• Patriots Daily has a nice piece on Troy Brown:  2001 Was Turning Point For Brown, Patriots.
• The New England Patriots Alumni Club (NEPAC) will host its second-annual "Game With the Greats" event in Gillette Stadium's Fidelity Investments East Clubhouse on Sunday, October 5 when the Patriots travel to San Francisco.

FOCUS ON THE 49ERS

• Mike Reiss compiled for us some links from the San Francisco side.
• Chris Gasper highlights three key areas in Sunday's Patriots-49ers game.
• Shalise Manza Young talks about the 49ers many looks on defense.
• Greg Beachum reports the Niners are willing to trade sacks for scores, and QB J.T. O'Sullivan doesn't mind a bit.
• Belichick discusses talented running back Frank Gore.
• Matt Brown, STATS editor, presents his Pats-Niners preview.
• The 49ers released their participation report.
  

POWER RANKINGS

• What If Sports ranks them (ouch!) 22nd (+3)
  
• Fox Sports on MSN ranks them 15th (-2):  "This weekend Doctor Evil will emerge from the Patriots' bye week, and after getting embarrassed by Miami in Week 3 he has to have something tricky up his sleeve, right?"  Dr. Evil????  Sooooo clever.
  
• ESPN ranks them 13th (-2):  "If they can't beat the 49ers on Sunday, prepare for panic to set in."  (Note the disparity in the voting among the 12 ESPN writers.)
• ProFootball Weekly ranks them 13th (-1):  "Have to think Kevin O’Connell will play at some point."  How 'bout the end of the 4th quarter?
  
• NFL.com keeps them ranked below 12th in the "middle of the pack."
• The Sporting News ranks them 10th:  "Something tells me the Patriots figured something out during the bye."
• Dr. Z at SI ranks them 7th (-1):  "I get a tremendous kick out of the transcripts of Bill Belichick's daily press conferences. Here's an excerpt from Tuesday's, for instance:

Q: How would you assess your turnover differential this week?

 A: Always like to get more and give up less."

LOCAL SHOTS

The Boston Globe apparently was forced to print an apology to its readers regarding an inappropriate photo it printed, regarding the size and mechanics of QB Kevin O'Connell's ummm... tools.  Sure gave me a chuckle this morning.

• Belichick expresses confidence in Cassel during Tuesday's conference call, when a reporter asked about a possible QB switch from Cassel to O'Connell.

  “I think Matt had a good week last week, and had a good practice yesterday. Offensively, collectively, we just have to do everything a little bit better. I’m confident in all the players we put out there."

• The Herald took Belichick's answer above and headlined, "Highlights from Belichick:  A Switch to O'Connell?"  Talk about creating something out of nothing.

• Karen Guregian talks defense with Richard Seymour.

• Guregian also talks with LaMont Jordan, who's getting more comfortable with the playbook and is itching to get the ball and the running game on track.
• The Patriots need Laurence Maroney  to be that same lead back who rushed for more than 100 yards in four of the last six games (including playoffs) and gained the tough goal-line yards when called upon.  Where is he?
  
• Mike Reiss reports nutcase Raiders' owner Al Davis took a shot at the Patriots at his bizarre press conference yesterday, accusing New England of tampering with Randy Moss before acquiring him. 
• OL Mike Vrabel, the key defensive player wearing the communication device in his helmet, says that aside from a few blips it's been a positive change.
• Bill Belichick spoke to more than 100 local children yesterday about the new Universal film, "The Express," based on the story of Ernie Davis who was the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.  Belichick received high-fives as the kids exited the theater.
  

• Eric McHugh talks about the Patriots needing to fix a lot of things coming off the Bye, and mentions the need to put pressure on opposing QBs.

• Rich Garven focuses on what's been working for the Patriots - Ellis Hobbs, the wedge blockers, and the kickoff return game.

• Chris Gasper details a bit more about the cast seen on Jerod Mayo's wrist.

• Everybody's a critic, and apparently they all email Mike Reiss.  This week Reiss answers questions mostly about quarterbacks and coaching concerns.

• Ask PFW received its share of questions from frustrated fans who haven't quite been sold on the idea that Matt Cassel is the Patriots' best option.  Surprisingly, Brady takes a few hits as well.

FOCUS ON THE 49ERS

• The Patriots team website offers all you ever wanted to know about the upcoming game, including broadcast info, series history, and other Pats-Niners connections.
• Who are those guys?  Glen Farley gives us a quick study on the 49ers.
• Chris Price says the Patriots should be familiar with a Martz-led offense.
• Mike McDermott compares O'Sullivan versus Cassel.
• Douglas Flynn reports on Niners QB J.T. O'Sullivan.
• The San Fransisco Chronicle reports that Niners' HC Mike Nolan admits to a lack of depth in the O-Line.  Good luck trying "to hold off a couple of sack-happy linebackers - Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas" - on Sunday.
• ProFootball Weekly gives their overview of Sunday's matchup.

SHOTS FROM AFAR

• Michael Silver admits, you don't know what you've got till it's gone. The Patriots of 2007, the group that put together the most dominant regular season in NFL history, have been missed.
• Even Gregg Easterbrook (gasp), in his own special way, moans about the NFL today without the Powerhouse undefeated Patriots of 2007.
• How much do we love the Krafts?  The Fifth Down Blog of the NY Times discusses Raiders' owner Al Davis and the whole mess in Oakland.