Archives for October 9, 2014

‘It’s definitely been different. Obviously we want to get back to what we want to do, speeding it up and getting our tempo. Obviously we also want to make sure that everyone is on the same page and executing at a high level so hopefully we will get back to that point, but who knows.’

Tom Brady going up against Brandon Spikes, Pepper Johnson (Boston Globe)

Bill Belichick: Patriots preparing for ‘a lot of energy’ in Buffalo (Boston Globe)

Patriots offensive line, run game changes playing field (Boston Herald)

DT Casey Walker makes a loud impression (Boston Herald)

Tom Brady & Co. must improve in red zone (Boston Herald)

Dominique Easley’s shoulder iffy (Boston Herald)

Report: Sammy Watkins says Buffalo Bills ‘found out’ Darrelle Revis will shadow him Sunday (Springfield Republican)

Tom Brady nicknamed ‘The Pharaoh’ by former New England Patriots LB Brandon Spikes (Springfield Republican)

Meet Patriots defensive tackle Casey Walker, a big fish in the big New England pond (Springfield Republican)

New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower present at Wednesday’s practice after missing Cincinnati Bengals game (Springfield Republican)

Joe Vellano, Chris Martin added to New England Patriots practice squad; Caylin Hauptmann waived (Springfield Republican)

Downfield blocking critical to New England Patriots running game (Springfield Republican)

True test for Patriots’ offense will be to keep it going against Bills (Providence Journal)

Patriots ready for new defensive scheme in Buffalo (Providence Journal)

McCourty, Easley and Hightower return to the field, Fleming and Ebner out (Providence Journal)

Patriots sign Joe Vellano and Chris Martin to the practice squad (Providence Journal)

Back to business, Pats ready for familiar Bills (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)

Bills hardly ever make it easy (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)

Patriots’ Tim Wright settling in as tight end (Nashua Telegraph)

Patriots preparing for well-known foe in Spikes (Brockton Enterprise)

Team preparing to face Bills and an energetic crowd (Brockton Enterprise)

A new role for Walker (Metro West Daily News)

Brandon Spikes, ex-Pats linebacker, fits with Bills (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

Patriots’ Tim Wright complements Rob Gronkowski (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

Patriots need to match emotion – and execution – of last week (Lowell Sun)

Tight end Wright getting comfortable with Patriots (AP)

Patriots’ improved running game prepares for Bills (The Sports Xchange)

Tom Brady Won’t Say Rob Gronkowski Is Nuts, But He ‘Hasn’t Calmed Down’ (NESN)

Tom Brady: Brandon Spikes Called Me ‘The Pharaoh’ In New England (NESN)

Rob Gronkowski Removed From Patriots’ Injury Report; Devin McCourty Added (NESN)

Brian Tyms, Logan Ryan Among Patriots’ Practice Players Of The Week (NESN)

Devin McCourty, Dominique Easley Practice With Patriots, Shake Injuries (NESN)

Bill Belichick Praises Tim Wright’s Smarts: ‘Learning Is Not An Issue’ (NESN)

Bill Belichick: Brandon Spikes Hasn’t Changed – Except Maybe His Hair (NESN)

Tom Brady: Bills’ Brandon Spikes, Pepper Johnson Know Patriots’ Style (NESN)

Patriots Sign Joe Vellano To Practice Squad, Make Two Other Moves (NESN)

Brady will see more old friends Sunday with Bills (CSN New England)

Belichick dissects Bills offensive keys (CSN New England)

Belichick: Spikes hasn’t changed (CSN New England)

Report: Rookie D-lineman Easley separated shoulder (CSN New England)

Blowout of Bengals doesn’t wipe slate clean (CSN New England)

Patriots-Bills practice report: Pats without Ebner, Fleming (CSN New England)

Will Bills again avoid throwing Revis’ way? (CSN New England)

Patriots prep for d-line coached by Johnson (CSN New England)

Brady: Energy, execution hand-in-hand in Buffalo (CSN New England)

Bills’ defense a far different challenge for Patriots (CSN New England)

Fleming, Ebner not spotted at Patriots walkthrough (CSN New England)

Patriots sign Vellano, Martin to practice squad (CSN New England)

Wilfork leading pack of young defensive linemen (CSN New England)

Brady Preparing For Rowdy Atmosphere In Buffalo (WBZ-AM)

Tale Of The Tape: New England Patriots At Buffalo Bills (WBZ-AM)

Bill Belichick Compares Sammy Watkins To Larry Fitzgerald (WBZ-AM)

Passion Play: Why Brandon Spikes would fit in perfectly with 2014 Patriots (WEEI-FM)

Tedy Bruschi’s big surprise for little Patriots fan (Patriots.com)

Blocking imperative for WRs; Oct. 8 notes (Patriots.com)

Patriots sign OL Chris Martin and DL Joe Vellano to the practice squad (Patriots.com)

Patriots rushing success ran deep (Patriots.com)

Game Preview: Patriots travel to face the Buffalo Bills (Patriots.com)

Tom Brady Press Conference Transcript: ‘It’s going to come down to execution’ (Patriots.com)

Up for whatever: Patriots fans surprised with VIP experience (Patriots.com)

Bill Belichick Conference Call Transcript: ‘It’s always tough in Buffalo’ (Patriots.com)

Bill Belichick Press Conference Transcript: ‘Their defense is playing very well’ (Patriots.com)

CJ Spiller Conference Call Transcript: ‘There is a lot at stake for both teams’ (Patriots.com)

Doug Marrone Conference Call Transcript: ‘We’re doing what we have to do to try to win’ (Patriots.com)

‘”I don’t really feel any different, just really having fun,” Dareus said. “Just let everything roll off my back, ignore a lot of what everybody’s saying, just kind of play my game and not let anybody and anything get in my head.”‘

‘The Bills were last valued by Forbes at $935 million, but their price was well above other recent sales. The Cleveland Browns were sold for close to $1.05 billion two years ago, and the Miami Dolphins sold for an NFL-record $1.1 billion in 2009. Their deal also included their stadium.’

‘”It’s a huge game for both teams and there’s a lot at stake,” Bills running back C.J. Spiller told the team’s official website. “… We’ve got to be really focused in on the little things and the details to give ourselves a chance to win at home.”‘

‘Reports last month indicated the purchase price to be in the neighborhood of $1.4 billion.’

‘”The thing that we said is it’s great for everybody — the team, the community — and we’re excited about that, but the most important thing to us right now is focusing on New England,” Jackson said. “We’re excited for everything that’s going on, but we need to take care of what’s going on in this locker room. It will all feel rather sour if we don’t go out and win on Sunday.”‘

‘Pegula did not have a vote, but the Wilson family estate held one of the 32 votes. The next step for the ownership group is to close the sale, which involves review of financial records and the actual transfer of funds to the Wilson estate.’

‘”If you asked me ten years ago if I was gonna own the Sabres and the Bills, I would have called you a liar,” he said. “Kim and I are honored that the NFL owners have approved us as the new owners of the Buffalo Bills, and we’d like to thank the owners for their support.”‘

‘”Commissioner [Roger] Goodell mentioned the Wilson family — Ralph and Mary — and what they meant the 54 years that Mr. Wilson gave to the National Football League and everything that he’s meant to this league and the people in that room,” Brandon revealed. “No one loved being in that room more than Ralph Wilson.”‘

‘”Even before (the Pegulas bought the Bills), I see Buffalo as a tight knit community where people support the teams,” forward Matt Moulson said. “Growing up in Mississauga, the Bills were the closest we had for an NFL team. So when I found out Terry was buying the Bills, knowing the Pegula family and all they’ve done for us, the Bills are in great hands.”‘

‘”I’m doing pretty well,” said Terry Pegula after the owners’ meetings took a mid-morning break. “Kim and I are honored that the NFL owners have approved us as the new owners of the Buffalo Bills. And we’d like to thank the owners for their support. This is a significant step in us owning the team, but we still don’t own it yet. There’s a small manner of having to pay some money. Wires have to sent from banks and paperwork has to be signed and what not, but we’ll get that done.”‘

‘It goes back further than you may think. I obviously, when I was asked when I bought the Sabres if I was interested in the Bills do you expect me to say yes? (chuckling) But it goes back further than you may imagine.’

‘”It’s about their commitment and what they’ve shown and what they’ve done as owners of the Sabres and their commitment to the region and the community,” said Brandon. “That means a lot in that room.”‘

‘This is Dareus’ first player of the week award. Dareus is the first Bills defender to win defensive player of the week since Mario Williams in Week 7 last season.’