Archives for November 9, 2012

‘New England’s offense ranks first in the NFL in both yards gained and points scored. The Bills’ defense ranks second last in both yards allowed and points allowed. The Pats are averaging 32.75 a game; the Bills are allowing 31 a game. New England scored 52 on the Bills six weeks ago.’

‘Anyone can twist the numbers, but there’s no disguising Buffalo’s 4-12 record in its last 16 games. Seven losses were by 20 points or more, five by 27 points or more. The Bills have a 5-16 road record under Chan Gailey, surrendering 34 points per game in the losses. They’ve allowed at least 35 points four times this year.’

‘”I’m very excited,” Easley said. “I knew going into this season it was going to be an uphill battle for me. And then to get cut and have to work myself up from the practice squad, but that was the situation at hand and I’m glad that this opportunity finally came.”‘

‘As for surrendering large chunks of yardage on so many plays, Fox Sports analyst and former Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick says it’s a stat he likes to track and values almost as significantly as turnover ratio. With the Pats giving up 43 plays of 20 or more and getting just 36, it adds up to a potential liability.’

‘”This offense is a very explosive offense,” Wilfork said. “They can up put up points in a hurry on the ground and in the air. We’ve seen it and we’ve been on both sides where we came back and where we didn’t come back. So we understand how important it is for us, defensively, to start fast and make sure we don’t give up these big long plays.”’

‘This Bills offense struggles mightily when first down isn’t a positive play. With one of the best two-back tandems in the league in Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller, Pats fans should cheer on the Bills recent trend of getting cute and forgetting about those two from a more traditional sense in critical moments.’

‘”They make plays when they need to, for the most part,” Johnson said of New England’s defensive backs. “They win games. We all know about the offense, but it still takes the defense to make plays and hold opponents off. They have done that.”‘

‘I felt the Bills were a team on the rise before the first meeting, but it seems like this team is a similar version of last year’s — minus-seven in turnover differential and one of the worst defenses in the league’

Role play suits Julian Edelman just fine (Boston Globe)

Patriots in a rush to stop Bills’ ground game (Boston Globe)

Vince Wilfork proves tough to move (Boston Herald)

First down dictates Bills success (Boston Herald)

Loyal Devin McCourty takes one for team (Boston Herald)

Rob Gronkowski, Zoltan Mesko enjoy idle time (Boston Herald)

Pats step out of their uniforms for Children’s Hospital (Boston Herald)

Brandon Lloyd’s leap (Boston Herald)

Bill Belichick believes Tom Brady of New England Patriots is still improving as a player, sees no erosion in his skills (Springfield Republican)

New England Patriots injury report, Week 10 (Springfield Republican)

New daughter gives Hernandez a new perspective (Providence Journal)

Shiancoe might see the field this Sunday (Providence Journal)

Belichick’s Patriots have traditionally saved their best for last in regular season (Brockton Enterprise)

Hernandez calls birth of daughter ‘definitely a life changer’ (Brockton Enterprise)

Stevie Johnson enjoys Rob Gronkowski’s humor (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

Patriots’ Brandon Lloyd looking for better half (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

Wilfork, defense can’t look past Bills (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)

Same old Bills shouldn’t pose threat (ESPN)

How Rob Ninkovich became one of the most important defensive players on the Patriots roster (WEEI-AM)

Is Bill Belichick overrated? (WEEI-AM)

Patriots CB McCourty makes transition to safety (AP)

Aaron Hernandez Says Baby Daughter ‘Changed My Life,’ Knows He Can’t Be ‘Reckless’ Anymore (NESN)

Rob Gronkowski, Zoltan Mesko, Robert Kraft Fascinated During Skype Session With Astronaut (NESN)

Aqib Talib’s Presence Should at Least Ensure Patriots’ Defense Stops Giving Up So Many Big Plays (NESN)

Nate Solder, Makeshift Offensive Line Are Secret Behind Patriots Offensive Success (NESN)

Patriots chat with NASA astronaut in space (CSN New England)

Hernandez: Birth of daughter a ‘life-changer’ (CSN New England)

For Patriots, looking ahead to Bills means looking back (CSN New England)

Patriots focused on stopping Spiller, Bills ground game (CSN New England)

Lloyd: He and Brady still a work in progress (CSN New England)

Lloyd, Pats looking forward to ‘second season’ (CSN New England)

Thursday’s practice participation and injury report (CSN New England)

Dorchester High School’s Rich Moran Named Patriots High School Coach of the Week (Patriots.com)

Patriots go deep… into space (Patriots.com)

”’Yeah, the last time I played corner, I did pretty good,” he said, bearing a wide grin. ”I got an interception off Brady, so I’m happy about that.”’

‘”They’ve obviously had our number,” Buffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said. “We’re kind of down right now. We don’t think we’re out. I think there’s still a positive vibe in the locker room. I think you have to have that, otherwise you’re beat before you go play.”‘

‘Patriots 34, Bills 14.’

‘I said before the Houston game, if you really are an improved team win one of these two games on the road. Get yourself a signature win. It didn’t happen in Houston, but the chance is still there. Pull the upset in New England and vault your team into the second half of the season. I know, easier said than done.’

‘The most dynamic offensive weapon the Bills have, recorded a mere 6 carries out of the 57 offensive snaps. But Gailey followed through on his plan of “sharing the load” as Fred Jackson managed just 6 carries too.’

‘”I would say the process is like every other game, just go in there and do my job. Do what I have to do and what they ask me to do. Play ball and have fun.” McKelvin added, “I’ve just been waiting on my moment. It’s a time I’ve been waiting on ever since the beginning of the season, especially with the nickel situation and how that went, the decision they made going with that. I just stayed focused to do what they told me to do.”‘