Archives for November 6, 2008

‘”It’s going to be different,” said cornerback Jabari Greer, who has been one of the few bright spots on the defense with two interceptions returned for touchdowns this season. “Donte is the captain and leader on our defense, and is someone that is inspirational and motivational.”‘

‘"We’re in first place, no matter how you look at it," punter Brian Moorman said. "And so are they."’

‘”You have to study and that is what our division is,” said offensive coordinator Turk Schonert. “They are a match-up zone and may send some man coverage teams, pressure team. The Jets pressured us and we were open downfield. We had some opportunities to get some big plays. We missed, we missed some throws, and we ran the wrong route. Our protection didn’t hold up a couple of times and guys were open downfield for big plays.”‘

‘In other words, I’m staring a long, cold, dismal winter in the face.’

‘While it’s fantastic that Bryan Scott has bloomed as a relentless safety for the Buffalo Bills, it would be nice if he behaved on punts: His holding penalty against the New York Jets was beyond frustrating for a team that could have used the momentum instigated by a fake-out. It’s hopefully the last time fans have to cheer for a challenge to go their team’s way just so they’re allowed to punt, and it represents how Buffalo’s special teams have gone from being dynamic to unexceptional.’

‘”I think we always find a way to win,” Seymour said in a conference call from Foxborough, Mass. “Obviously it helps to have a guy like Tom behind center making decisions. But we always find a way to get the job done, no matter who’s out there. … We play tough, smart football and try to not beat ourselves.”‘

‘But the most troubling issue is the run game. The linemen couldn’t block a doorway. The Bills are 26th in the NFL in rushing, 30th in yards per carry. They don’t have a run over 22 yards. Marshawn Lynch is averaging 3.5 a crack.’

‘Defensive end Aaron Schobel will not need season-ending surgery on his injured left foot, a team source told The News. Schobel visited a specialist in North Carolina on Wednesday to assess the injury, which has kept him out of the lineup the past three games.’

‘"I was glad that they didn’t put me on IR because I wanted to play," Fine said. "That’s why I want to do whatever I can to bring as much to the team as possible to try and make up for the lost time that I wasn’t around."’

‘"Obviously Donte and I are two different players. I have a little more size on me, but playing the strong safety position – going down stopping the run – Donte and I are similar in that we have a lot of experience. I think I bring leadership and experience to the secondary, so hopefully I can fill in his shoes, and they are big shoes to fill."’

‘”The fact is that they have dominated the division and certainly beaten us handily a number of times,” Bills coach Dick Jauron said. “We’re trying to gain ground on them.”‘

‘”The nose tackles the last two weeks have been the strengths of the last two defenses,” said Edwards. “I’d say that’s one of the strengths with the Patriots – their defensive line. That’s why teams run that 3-4, to try and keep the run game inside. Don’t let the speed get to the outside and funnel it into the strength of their defense.”‘

‘”He is a good football player,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said of Edwards. “He is accurate, makes good decisions and has a good feel for the position. Of course he came from a good passing background but he has good field vision, sees things well, reads coverages, goes to the place where the guy has light coverage and he is also working with some very good receivers, so I am sure that helps the passing game as well. He has been very efficient. Even last year when he stepped in he seemed to have a good presence on the field and good command of the offense.”‘

‘Last month, perhaps, the Bills could have looked toward Sunday’s game as a kind of “statement game,” especially with Brady out and Matt Cassel calling signals for the Pats. Now the Bills are just trying to stay afloat — although Jauron doesn’t necessarily see it that way. “I (don’t) look at it that way,” said the former Swampscott High star. “I’ve never looked nine games into the season when the season starts.”‘

Patriots look to Webster (Boston Globe)

They’ve been losing by nose (Boston Globe)

Stretch run in AFC East looms as four-horse race for Patriots (Boston Herald)

BenJarvus Green-Ellis steps up (Boston Herald)

Jason Webster gets second(ary) chance (Boston Herald)

Quite a traffic jam in the AFC East (Boston Herald)

Patriots cheer election of Barack Obama (Boston Herald)

Tom Brady is Back Bay’s No. 1 dog walker (Boston Herald)

Patriots know Bills QB Trent Edwards’ quality statistics don’t lie (Providence Journal)

With Wheatley on injury list, Pats re-sign cornerback Webster (Providence Journal)

Obama’s person for the job, say the Patriots’ O’Neal, Hobbs (Providence Journal)

Patriots part of a crowded field at the top of the AFC East (Brockton Enterprise)

Webster looking to step up, turn tables on Bills (Brockton Enterprise)

Pats have Bills to pay (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

Secondary now near a tertiary (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

Pats turn to Webster for CB depth (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)

No rest for the weary (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)

New England Patriots try to fend off Bills and Jets in AFC East (Springfield Republican)

New England Patriots re-sign cornerback Jason Webster to shore up secondary (Springfield Republican)

Green-Ellis Making Name With Pats (Hartford Courant)

Pats are perfectly positioned for playoffs (Lawrence Eagle Tribune)

Pats see hope in Oval Office again (New Bedford Standard Times)

Patriots re-sign CB Jason Webster (AP)

Patriots bring back CB Jason Webster (The Sports Network)

Inside slant (The Sports Xchange)

Strategy and personnel (The Sports Xchange)

Notes, quotes (The Sports Xchange)

Webster adds depth at corner; Wed. notes (Patriots.com)

Patriots sign CB Jason Webster; Crable to IR (Patriots.com)

Trent Edwards Conference Call (Patriots.com)

Dick Jauron Conference Call (Patriots.com)

Bill Belichick Press Conference (Patriots.com)

Patriots – Bills Injury Report (Patriots.com)