Archives for November 5, 2008

‘But all that is outweighed by the fact that this offense must find a way to enable Evans to break out at least two or three times a game; he simply can’t have two receptions for 23 yards with 58 minutes down. The way he was used against the Jets would be like asking Peter O’Toole to appear in a Burger King commercial; it goes without saying that he’s capable of a larger, more dignified role.’

‘Jarvis was a season-long starter as a Bills rookie, but tore up a knee in the opener of his second year and was done. He lasted eight games in 1973, long enough to earn his Electric Company distinction, before another knee injury took him out. He played just one more game in 1974 before retiring midway though the following training camp, satisfied with his pro stint. "You got a chance to know you could run with the best," he said.’

‘”People are a little down right now, but I don’t know about (a loss of) confidence,” linebacker Kawika Mitchell said in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Monday. “It’s just natural for everyone to have their heads down a little bit right now, but you have to pick it up and put it behind you and get ready to move on because in the NFL, this thing doesn’t stop, it keeps moving.”‘

‘Injury bug: The Bills have been hit hard. Patriots-killing DE Aaron Schobel is out this week with a torn tendon in his big toe, an issue the Buffalo News reported could be season-ending. SS Donte Whitner separated his shoulder against the Jets on Sunday and likely is out as well. WR Josh Reed has a strained Achilles and sprained ankle and is expected to miss his second straight game. RG Brad Butler has a sprained knee ligament and has missed the past two games. His replacement, Jason Whittle, took a helmet to the back last week and has a nerve problem in his thigh.’

‘”The Patriots are a great challenge with (Tom) Brady ,and are still a great challenge now that he’s injured,” Jauron said. “I don’t think about that factor; we both have injuries. The Pats still pose a lot of problems, and we’ve made a lot of mistakes to take ourselves out of the past few games. I’m not saying we deserved to win this Jets game (a 26-17 loss last Sunday); we clearly didn’t. But we’ve got to eliminate the errors we’re making and get better prepared.”‘

A look back at Patriots’ early story lines is telling (Boston Globe)

Now, a few more things regarding Patriots (Boston Globe)

Cassel pockets praise (Boston Globe)

Bills try to straighten out (Boston Herald)

Matt Cassel hot in pocket (Boston Herald)

Bills at a glance (Boston Herald)

Patriots linebacker Gary Guyton is a real keeper for his versatility (Providence Journal)

Next up for Pats: three division rivals in a row (Providence Journal)

Is Pats’ glass half-full or half-empty? (Providence Journal)

State of the Union: Patriots Version (Springfield Republican)

Patriots battle Bills in divisional clash (Patriots.com)

Josh McDaniels Conference Call (Patriots.com)

Bill Belichick Conference Call (Patriots.com)

‘If you’re wondering where the Bills’ defense failed to get the job done, you could do worse than speculating defensive end. Starters Chris Kelsay (1) and Ryan Denney (2) plus reserves Copeland Bryan (0) and Chris Ellis combined for three tackles.’

‘The two-time Pro Bowl defensive end is to meet with a specialist in North Carolina on Wednesday to have his foot examined, a person familiar with the injury told The Associated Press on Tuesday. There is concern that Schobel sustained a more serious injury in the mid-foot area where a cluster of bones forms a small arch between the ankle and toes, known as a Lisfranc injury. It is the type of injury that ended Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney’s season last November, the person said.’