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11/1/07
Belichick Press Conference - 11/1/2007 New England Patriots



New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick addresses the media during his press conference at Gillette Stadium on November 1, 2007.

BB: All right. [You're] working on a lot of big stories today. [You've] got a lot to write about this week. Or talk about, I guess. I don't want to exclude the video media back there. No?

Q: Are you going to practice inside today?

BB: Yeah, I think we are. It's blowing pretty good out there. I don't think we'll get that much in the dome.

Q: Is that something you would have done anyway or is it specific to going to play in a dome?

BB: I think we always like to get outside, just fresh air, grass, but as it affects the execution of the game, then [we] might as well try to get it as close to game conditions as we can. You look nice today. Really trying to put the pressure on me, huh? Maybe I'll do that one of these days - come in here in a suit for you.

Q: How much more can you expect out of Richard Seymour after playing limited snaps last week and then facing the toughest competition --

BB: Hopefully it will increase a little bit each week. We try to simulate game conditions in practice. It's, of course, not the same as a game, but it's [to] build up the stamina and the reps and the reactions and all of those things. He's further ahead this week than he was last week. I would expect that he'd be further ahead next week than this week - that type of thing, and that will probably progress for awhile. He missed all of training camp and the first six weeks of the regular season, so that's a lot of time. That's a lot of practices and, whatever, 10 games, potential games. But I would think it would increase a little bit each week.

Q: How close is he to where you'd like to see him facing this competition this week?

BB: Well, it doesn't make any difference. It's the schedule. It's the progression that we're on. And like I said, I think each day is a little bit better, each week should be a little bit better. We'll just move forward on a day-by-day basis. Right now, the only day I'm worried about is today. I'll worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.

Q: Getting [Ben] Watson back out on the practice field, is that a good sign?

BB: It's good everybody that we have out there. It's good at have as many as we can have. It's always good to see him come back.

Q: Obviously a team always gets nicked up over the course of the season, but here at eight games, how would you say right now this team is holding up as compared to maybe some of the past teams you've had? Are they staying in pretty good shape for you?

BB: I think everybody is working hard. Some guys are limited and some guys aren't. This is probably - I'm not sure - this is probably the deepest we've gone into a season with a bye, isn't it? We usually have them before this, so we've been going here for, what, this will be 13 straight games, to some degree. Nine, anyway, and plus the preseason ones, but these guys are working those days, those weeks. [This is] probably the longest we've gone on that, but it's not something, really that you…I'm not saying you don't worry about it, because you have to manage your roster, manage your team, but you really can't do anything about it other than whatever your options are, so that's what we'll do. The guys that are out are out. The guys that are close, we'll evaluate them at game time. And the guys that are going to be there but need [you to] manage a little bit, we'll manage them. And that's really about all we can do.

Q: In your quest for perfection, what area or areas have concerned you about the Colts and how they might target you?

BB: What do I worry about them game-planning us with? I don't think we want to talk about that.

Q: In your quest for perfection, what do you want to see different?

BB: Every game is different, so it doesn't really make any difference what happened last week. We're going up against a team this week that has it's own style of play and a very good performance level. They have their physical players that are hard to game-plan for, they have their schemes, they have their way of doing things and they're very successful doing it. So that's really what we have to get ready for. It doesn't make any difference if we did something well the last two or three weeks or not. Trying to do it well against this team, the way they play, it's a whole new challenge. How well we do it on Sunday - that's what's really important, not whether we did it good last week or two weeks ago. I mean, really, it doesn't matter.

Q: I think this is the last week you can start the clock on Troy Brown. Do you anticipate doing that?

BB: I think it's next week, isn't it? Well, whatever it is, we'll check on it. We'll do, as I said, what's best for the player and what's best for the team, a combination of those two things. We're getting close on that. Whenever we have to make a final decision, we'll make one, but right now there hasn't been any change.

Q: Rodney Harrison has four games under his belt now. Has he closed the gap and been able to catch up on the other guys?

BB: It's sort of what we talked about with Richard earlier, that with each week of practice and each game that he's been able to do more and move along on that. He had the benefit of however many practices it was - 40-some practices in preseason or whatever, so that's pretty significant. I think with each week that he's been able to move a little further along and react a little bit quicker and build on the previous week. I don't know that he's where everybody else is. I'm not sure about that, but he's certainly a lot further along than he was four weeks ago, let's put it that way.

Q: The last three games you've played against the Colts he's played sparingly because he's been hurt. What kind of a difference does it make - not against the Colts, just in general - when you have Rodney in the lineup?

BB: It's good to have him, let's put it that way. I don't know, I couldn't put a percentage on it, but it's good to have him. We were talking about that the other day, that it's good that he'll be playing against the Colts. He hasn't done - I mean, I know he anticipated playing a lot in the first game last year, in the November game, but as it turned out, let's hope this one doesn't go that way.

Q: How happy have you been with Stephen's [Gostkowski]'s kickoffs?

BB: Other than the ones that go out of bounds, [they're] pretty good. We've tried to situational kick a couple of times where we haven't kicked it deep. We've kind of popped it into a short area, we got a fair catch, what was it, against Miami, I think. Teams that have played just the single safety back there and put kind of the big guys in the wedge and we've done that a couple of times. But no, I think he's kicked the ball off well, other than the ones that have gone out of bounds.

Q: I know you don't want him to kick them out of bounds, but is that ever an intentional thing where you wanted him to do something different and it just didn't go right?

BB: Well, yeah, we're definitely not trying to hit them out of bounds. It's like when you drive one into the woods. Sometimes you're trying to hit it over here or hit it over there, but when it goes into the woods, it goes in the woods.

Q: Is the goal always for the touchback?

BB: No, not necessarily. Sometimes in the conditions we have here, the wind conditions, it's unrealistic to think you'd be able to have a touchback on certain kicks, so you decide what you want to do: kick it as far as you can into the wind or try to place it one way or another. A lot of times we have - we normally have cross-wind conditions in our stadium, and so a lot of times the other team, the receiving team, will anticipate that the ball is going to go to a certain area and design their return accordingly. Sometimes you might want to change up on that. Sometimes you don't. You just want to make the best kick you can make and cover it the best that you can. It's not the same as kicking with the wind, but it's the best you can do against it. But so, whatever it is, we like to try to either have a great kick or a good kick. [We] certainly don't want one that goes out of bounds, but it varies on why those happen, just like it varies on why my shots and your shots go in the woods. It's not always the same thing, but when they end up there we're not happy.

Q: Obviously it's preferable that you don't have to kick a last-minute field goal, but does it concern you at all that Stephen hasn't had to kick one of those “pressure kicks” this year?

BB: Well, I mean, our team hasn't really been in that type of situation all year, so you could say that about the whole team. We haven't had a game that's really come down to the final possession or the final play or that type of thing. We work on that every week. You never know when that situation is going to come up and there's no way of knowing what's going to be the deciding play in the game. Is it going to be your offense in the red area? Is it going to be your defense in the red area? Is it going to be a two-minute drive? Are you going to have to run out the clock? Is it going to be a last kick? Is it going to be an on-side - We had an on-side kick situation last week, which could be potentially a game-winning play, even though it wasn't, but it was a rep on that kind of a play. It's hard to know and you prepare every week for those game-deciding situations because you never know what they're going to be, but I think that goes for everybody on the team. Nobody's been in that situation.

Q: Usually in football, teams will run to set up the pass. Are the Colts a team that passes to set up the run?

BB: I think that the Colts are a well-balanced offense and I think that wherever the defense is heavier, that's probably not where they're going to be. They're going to be where they're lighter, and so teams that drop back and put a lot of guys in coverage and play deep, they're happy to run against. Teams that come up and challenge them on the line of scrimmage, they're happy to throw deep against. They play-action, they drop back, they run inside, they run outside, they throw on screen - they pretty much do everything well. They're usually trying to take advantage of where the defense is weakest. Like I said, they usually hit there and it usually hits pretty hard. I think they can play any style of game. They've shown that this year, they've shown that through the years. They convert 3rd-and-shorts, they convert 3rd-and-longs. They run it, they throw it. I don't want to say they take what the defense gives [them], because they're an aggressive team and they attack you and they make you defend certain things. I don't think you can just say, “ Well, we'll take the run away by playing…” They'll still run. Or you can say, “ We'll drop back and take the pass away.” They'll still throw. I think they have much more of a tendency to hit you in the soft spots. They throw a lot of body-punches and they'll knock you out.

Q: This is the last year for the RCA Dome. I don't expect you to get too sentimental over the place -

BB: No.

Q: But has it been a tough place to play, especially as the Colts have gotten to be a better team? Is there anything about it - the noise or whatever - that might --

BB: No, I don't think so. I mean, the Colts are tough to play here at Gillette. I think they'd be tough to play anywhere. They're a good team at home, they're a good team on the road. But no, I won't shed any tears when [it closes]. I doubt we'll be looking forward to playing in wherever the new place is going to be. Right around the corner, right?

Q: For Rodney Harrison, with the four weeks that he missed, obviously he's a well-conditioned athlete and he would have ideally liked to have played those games, but given the wear-and-tear he has on his body, could those four weeks benefit him down the season by preserving him a little bit? Is there anything to that?

BB: I don't know. I guess you could make a case for it if you want to. But, again, on all of those things, when there's no options, when the situation is dictated on, “this is what it is,” then you deal with that and go forward with it. The hypotheticals of what could have been if something else…if we had played two other teams this year instead of two of the ones we played - I don't know. That's the way it was, so we just dealt with it.

Q: What factored into your decision at the end of last year to acquire so many offensive players in the off-season?

BB: It just worked out that way. We talked to a lot of players, like we always do [and went] through or normal end-of-year evaluations. When you go into an off-season, you don't know you're going to make a trade. The trade for [Randy] Moss was 2:30 in the morning on Saturday night of the draft. You just don't know that's going to happen. Same thing with [Wes] Welker. We didn't know that trade was going to be consummated at the end of the off-season. It just worked out that way.

[GuruTrader]

Go Patzzzzzzzzz

[GuruTrader]

Pats are unbelievable... Its not even fair to the rest of NFL... lol

[sumisu]

Patriots Pummel Oddsmakers as Team Scores, Wins at Record Pace

By Erik Matuszewski

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&sid=a0VSeEh5LqeI&refer=amsports

Oct. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Tom Brady, Randy Moss and the New England Patriots are punishing oddsmakers and sports books as they pile up points and win games at a historic pace.

The Patriots are averaging a National Football League- leading 38.3 points a game in their 6-0 start and have covered the point spread in every game, including two wins in which they were favored by more than two touchdowns.

The team may become the NFL's first undefeated club since the 1972 Miami Dolphins and break the record for points in a season. New England's start has bettors cashing their winnings, and Las Vegas and Internet sports books cutting their losses.

``It's really shaken up the world of online sports betting when you get a team like this,'' BetUS.com spokesman Reed Richards said in a telephone interview. ``It's so difficult to anticipate. You know they're going to win, the question becomes how big are they going to win? It's a weekly effort to try to figure this thing out.''

Richards said some clients of Costa Rica-based BetUS.com have won ``tens of thousands of dollars'' on the Patriots and that the site's oddsmakers spend far more time researching statistics and news to determine betting lines for New England than any of the league's other 31 teams.

Usual Spread

While the spread for an NFL game is usually between three and seven points, the Patriots this week are favored by 16 1/2 points, on the road, against the winless Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins shut out the Patriots 21-0 in Miami last season.

``We couldn't remember a more than 14- or 15-point favorite on the road in years,'' said Mike Seba, a senior oddsmaker for Las Vegas Sports Consultants, which advises Nevada sports books on their betting lines. ``It's definitely uncharted territory. As oddsmakers, it is tough to keep up with the level at which they're playing.''

A bettor picking a Patriots' victory collects on the wager only if they win by the point spread or more.

The Patriots are coming off a 48-27 win over the previously unbeaten Dallas Cowboys, the highest point total in 23 years for a New England franchise that's won three of the last six Super Bowls. With 230 points, New England is on pace to top the NFL season record of 556 points by the 1998 Minnesota Vikings.

Brady threw a career-high five touchdowns last week against Dallas and is the first quarterback in league history with three or more scoring passes in each of his team's first six games. The 30-year-old quarterback has 21 touchdown passes, including eight to wide receiver Moss, and might break Peyton Manning's record of 49 in 2004.

Popular Patriots

``They've been popular over the past few years, so to add the points they're putting up to the mix, they've been tough for us,'' Jeff Sherman, assistant manager of the Las Vegas Hilton Race & Sports Book, said in a telephone interview. ``The public always likes to bet on a team that scores a lot of points.''

The Hilton, which says it is the world's largest sports book, has lost ``quite a bit'' on the Patriots this year, Sherman said. He refused to give specific figures.

Sports books try to set the point spread at a number where they will get an even share of bets on each team, with all bettors paying a small fee for each bet. Generally, the sports books' profit comes from keeping that fee from the losing bettors.

``Regardless of what that number is this year, the public is backing the Patriots,'' said Chuck Esposito, assistant vice president at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. ``This is kind of unprecedented for us to see a team that's this dominant against the rest of the NFL because in the NFL there's so much parity.''

Double Digits

The Patriots already have a 4 1/2-game lead in their division, and are the only NFL team favored to win by more than 10 points this weekend.

The New York Giants are listed as a 9 1/2-point favorite over the San Francisco 49ers, according to Las Vegas Sports Consultants, while the Cowboys are favored by the same margin over the Minnesota Vikings. New York and Dallas are playing at home.

In other Week 7 games, it's Baltimore at Buffalo, Tampa Bay at Detroit, Tennessee at Houston, Atlanta at New Orleans, Arizona at Washington, the New York Jets at Cincinnati, Kansas City at Oakland, Chicago at Philadelphia, St. Louis at Seattle, Pittsburgh at Denver and Indianapolis at Jacksonville.

Even with other games around the league, Richards of BetUS.com said his oddsmakers ``live and breathe'' the Patriots.

``The Pats are really coming through for people,'' he said. ``They may be the spurn of sports books, but they're making a lot of players really excited, and I think they're good for football in that capacity. It's certainly been a lot of fun for us in trying to figure it out.''

To contact the reporter on this story: Erik Matuszewski in New York at [e-mail]

Last Updated: October 19, 2007 00:14 EDT

[GuruTrader]

Does anyone actually realize hoe great the Pats really are

[GuruTrader]

Go Pattzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz... Big win coming tonite... Big win!!!!!!!

[GuruTrader]

Patzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[GuruTrader]

Nice!!! This is our season!!!

[GotOptions?]

Just bought a 4X sized Tom Brady official shirt yesterday and am getting psyched for the season. No more playoff giveaways we want the whole deal !!, lol.

[GuruTrader]

Go Patzzzzzzzzzzzz

[GuruTrader]

Echo but GO PATZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

[GuruTrader]

Go Patzzzzzzzzzzz

[GuruTrader]

Go Patzzzzzzzzzzz

[GuruTrader]

Pats are gonna kick some major arse this year baby... GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO PATZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

[GuruTrader]

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Patzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[GuruTrader]

Good Morning Randy Moss... lol weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[Mugsy5]

Draft talk http://www.investorshub.com/boards/board.asp?board_id=9070

[GuruTrader]

Damn the Pats got a tuff schedule this year.... weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[GuruTrader]

Going to Opening Game for the Red Sox tom... Hopefully they play like the Pats and kick some arseeeeeeeeee

[GuruTrader]

Go Patzzzzzzzzzzzz

[GuruTrader]

Unstopable next season

[GuruTrader]

Go Patzzzzzzzzzz... lol

[GuruTrader]

Go Patzzzzzzzzzz

[GuruTrader]

PATZZZ in the superbowl... im calling it today!!!

[DewDiligence]

“Good teams find a way to win!”

I normally hate that cliché, but what else can you say about today’s win?

[RJ Trotts]

very glad to see Peyton get beat...all smiles from me...RJ

[Trops]

Colts go down:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XXXVI

[Trops]

Colts go down:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XXXVI

[Trops]

I am already thinking about that one.Having a BBBIIIGGG PPAARRTTYY.6-1 and silencing the doubters once again.lol Bob

[GuruTrader]

im going to the game on Sunday

[Trops]

PATS BABBBYYY.ONLY GETTING BETTER AS THE SEASON GOES ON.GABRIEL,CALDWELL,JACKSON,MARONEY.Change is good with the right minds making the moves.Bring on the colts next sunday evening.Bob

[GuruTrader]

still need to do a better job but ill take a win anyday

[Trops]

Opportunistic Patriots hold off Dolphins


NFL.com wire reports






FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (Oct. 8, 2006) -- Joey Harrington didn't fare much better than the quarterback he replaced. It just didn't hurt as much.

Asante Samuel intercepted two passes by the substitute starter after 21 sacks in four games sidelined Daunte Culpepper with a bruised shoulder and the New England Patriots beat the Miami Dolphins 20-10 Sunday.

Video highlights


Asante Samuel's two interceptions helped New England hold off Miami.
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Dolphins postgame press conference
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Patriots postgame press conference
56k | 300k

"We've been going for too many games here at the start of the season without any turnovers," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "Those turnovers are huge. It puts us on a short field."

The Patriots (4-1) had just one takeaway in the first three games and three for the season before coming up with three Sunday. Harrington, playing for the first time this season, may have been rusty but was sacked just once as he delivered the ball quickly.

He probably should have held it instead of throwing the interceptions that set up two touchdowns.

"He got me. Bill Belichick got me," Harrington said, but "we did a great job of protecting."

The Dolphins (1-4) continued to fall far short of the preseason hype that came with their acquisition of Culpepper, who missed his last nine games with Minnesota last season with a knee injury.

"He'll put his career on the line for this team. You have to admire that in the guy. So when he says he wanted to play, I know he did," Miami coach Nick Saban said. "I made that decision (to start Harrington). I don't know if it was right or not, but it was a decision we had to make."

Belichick was ready for Harrington.

"We talked about him all week as it looked like he was upping his practice time," Belichick said.


Asante Samuel's two INTs led to 14 points for the Patriots.
Concerned about Culpepper's shoulder and mobility, Saban wouldn't say when he would play again.

There was no quarterback decision to be made by Belichick. Tom Brady was just 6-4 against Miami, compared with 21-2 against the rest of the AFC East. And he completed 16 of 29 passes for a season-low 140 yards as the Patriots were outgained 283 yards to 213.

"We didn't play as well as an offense as we would have liked, but we're playing some good situational football," Brady said. "We're finishing the games when we needed to, making critical plays."

The play with about 10 minutes left really hurt -- and angered -- the Dolphins.

The Patriots had taken the ball at the Dolphins 24 after Samuel's second interception on a pass off the hands of Wes Welker, who led all receivers with nine catches.

After an incompletion and a 2-yard run by Laurence Maroney, Brady underthrew the ball to Doug Gabriel on the right side of the end zone. But Will Allen was called for defensive pass interference, putting the ball at the 1. Brady threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Heath Evans on the next play with 9:47 to go.

The officials "said I didn't look for the ball. I did look for the ball," Allen said. "He (Gabriel) grabbed me."

Saban was incensed because the ball hit Allen as Gabriel was trying to come back to it.

"If it was a good call," Saban said, "we've got bad rules."

The first turnover, a recovery by Tedy Bruschi of Ronnie Brown's fumble on Miami's third play from scrimmage, led to Stephen Gostkowski 's 35-yard field goal.

Miami's Olindo Mare had his 40-yard field-goal attempt blocked by Mike Wright before Gostkowski made it 6-0 with a 31-yard field goal on New England's second possession.

The Dolphins' third series didn't go any better. Harrington's pass on the fourth play was intercepted by Samuel, who returned it 26 yards to the Miami 10. Two plays later, Brady threw a 10-yard scoring pass down the middle to Troy Brown for a 13-0 lead midway through the second quarter.

Then Harrington outplayed Brady for the rest of the second and all of the third quarter, helping cut the lead to 13-10 on Brown's 2-yard run and Mare's 40-yard field goal.

But Mare missed a 50-yarder with 6 minutes left.

"We've got to create more turnovers," Miami linebacker Channing Crowder said. "They get three turnovers, we've got to get four or five."

Another play in the kicking game cost the Dolphins field position, if not points. With a fourth-and-5 at the Miami 36, punter Donnie Jones dropped the snap and fell on it before being tackled by Wright, giving the Patriots the ball at their 46. But New England punted the ball back.

"It's a totally different (approach) from last year," said Patriots cornerback Ellis Hobbs, who played 11 days after undergoing surgery on his broken left wrist. "We go out there with the attitude the ball is ours."

Notes: Miami WR Marty Booker had his left arm in a sling after the game and said he had an injury in the shoulder and pectoral area. "I don't know the severity of it," he said, but expected to have it checked Monday. ... Maroney rushed for 38 yards one week after

[Trops]

4-1 eom.

[Trops]

Pats 'O' comes alive to rout Bengals 38-13
CINCINNATI (Oct. 1, 2006) -- A rookie running back helped the New England's offense play like old times.

Laurence Maroney ran for 125 yards and a pair of touchdowns, restoring balance to the Patriots' offense and setting up a 38-13 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

New England (3-1) savored the big day by its offense, so balky a week earlier that Tom Brady uncharacteristically waved his arms in frustration during a loss to Denver. The only time he lifted his arms was to signal another Patriots touchdown.

Maroney got the biggest ones.

Playing on the field where teammate Corey Dillon broke the single-game rushing record for Cincinnati in 2000, Maroney stiff-armed his way through the Bengals (3-1) on touchdown runs of 11 and 25 yards that set the tone.

He made three tacklers miss on his second scoring run, which put New England up 21-13 and allowed Brady to get beyond his frustrations and do what he does best - efficiently take a defense apart. He was 15-of-26 for 188 yards and a pair of touchdowns, setting up the Patriots' highest-scoring game in two seasons.

Dillon, who was tormented by losing during his seven seasons in Cincinnati, provided the final touch. His 1-yard touchdown run with 13:53 to go put New England up 31-13 and drew another round of boos and catcalls.

Dillon then reared back and threw the ball high into the same stands where he tossed his helmet, cleats and jersey after his final game for the Bengals in 2003, bidding the city farewell.

Brady, Maroney and Dillon weren't the only ones who had a throwback day against the previously unbeaten Bengals, who couldn't sustain their momentum from a 28-20 win in Pittsburgh a week earlier. New England's patchwork defense also did a number on Carson Palmer.

Palmer was hit repeatedly, sacked four times and lost a pair of second-half fumbles that set up touchdowns and turned it into a blowout. Palmer was 20-of-35 for 245 yards in his least-productive showing since he returned from a major knee injury.

With starting cornerback Ellis Hobbs and safety Eugene Wilson sidelined by injuries, the Patriots had to improvise. Receiver Troy Brown reprised his role as nickel back, lining up on passing downs the way he did each of the last two seasons when New England was beat up.

That knack for improvisation helped the Patriots win three Super Bowls this decade. It worked again on Sunday against an offense missing one of its top receivers.

Chris Henry was inactive for the game, punishment for his latest off-field incident. Henry, one of six Bengals arrested in the last nine months, was a passenger in a sports utility vehicle stopped early Monday morning. Linebacker Odell Thurman, who was behind the wheel, was charged with drunken driving.

[Trops]

PPPPPAAATTTRRRIIOOTTTS.Every radio show,Tv sports show was down on them all week.Hope you guys bought those Maroney cards cheap preseason(I have 250)when I told you.Getting double already.Many are saying they like him better than Bush.Bob

[Trops]

PPPPPAAATTTRRRIIOOTTTS.Every radio show,Tv sports show was down on them all week.Hope you guys bought those Maroney cards cheap preseason(I have 250)when I told you.Getting double already.Many are saying they like him better than Bush.Bob

[GuruTrader]

Bad game this week... they need to get their heads into it!!!

[GuruTrader]

I was getting pretty nervous yesterday... But happy in the end

[Trops]

2-0:9/17/06

Patriots thwart Jets comeback bid, 24-17 Fred Kirsch

Inter-divisional games often are full of surprises and this one fit that bill. New England saw a 24-point lead dwindle to a mere touchdown before a clock-killing drive by Tom Brady and the offense finally nailed this one down.



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Despite jumping out to a 24-point lead, mental lapses on the part of the Patriots allowed the Jets to climb back into this one and make things interesting. In the end, the Patriots held on for a 24-17 win and a 2-0 record on the young season.

Tom Brady, while still not at the top of his game, performed better than last week going 15 of 29 for 220 yards, a touchdown and one interception.

The tandem of Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney again delivered. Dillon ran for 80 yards on 20 carries with a score while Maroney had 65 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown of his own.

For the Jets, Chad Pennington had his second consecutive 300-yard passing game. He finished with 306 yards; 22 of 37 passing with 2 touchdowns and an interception. His big targets were Jerricho Cotchery who had 121 yards on 6 grabs and Laveranues Coles with 6 catches and 100 yards.

Chad Jackson made his Patriot debut and during the Patriots second series of the game and caught a nice 29-yard pass from Brady, the first pass thrown his way. Jackson was closely covered but managed to come up with the ball down the left sideline. That play sparked an 11-play, 82-yard drive ending on a Dillon 1-yard touchdown run behind the left side of the Patriots line. On the drive, Troy Brown started things off with a 15-yard catch. Later, Ben Watson had a 14-yard grab down the middle to move the ball to the Jets 22. From the 18-yard line two plays later, Maroney followed up a 4-yard run with a 14-yarder to the 4. It was an impressive drive that incorporated all the weapons at Brady's disposal.

On the Patriots second scoring drive that came with 13:15 left in the first half, Brady flaunted his tight ends. Dave Thomas started strong right on one play and came across the field with no one near him. Brady connected and the rookie went 29 yards to the Jets 49. On the very next play, Brady went down the middle to Daniel Graham for another 29-yard pick-up. Despite the promising start to the drive and getting as close as the Jets 2, Brady was unable to connect with Watson and then Doug Gabriel in the end zone. Stephen Gostkowski was good on a 20-yard field goal attempt for a 10-0 New England lead.

Meanwhile, the Patriots defense was keeping the Jets at bay. It threw a wrinkle into the game plan by going mostly 4-3 during the first half. Also, of note, Tedy Bruschi made his 2006 debut during the second quarter, playing middle linebacker in that 4-3 alignment.

Jets punter Ben Graham gave the Patriots a golden opportunity to add to the lead at the end of the half when he badly shanked his punt for net 10 yards. The punt came after a three and out stand by the defense by way of a pair of sacks, one by Tully Banta-Cain and another by Richard Seymour.

Brady took over at midfield with a minute left and immediately looked long to Jackson. The pass was right on the rook's hands -- with the Jets Andre Dyson beat -- but it fell harmlessly to the ground. Brady then looked to the proven Brown who muscled his way to a 14-yard gain on a pass to the left flat. Two plays later it was Watson for 23-yards to the Jets 13 and on the next play, Jackson made up for his lost opportunity earlier in the drive with a touchdown pass over the middle; his first career score and a 17-0 halftime lead for New England.

New England started the second half with a solid short yardage stand. First Junior Seau stuffed Kevan Barlow for no gain on third and 1 from the Jets 46. On fourth down, the Jets went for it and it was Ty Warren and Jarvis Green with the stop.

New England took over on downs. On third and 5, Brady looked deep to Kevin Faulk down the left sideline. The Jets Victor Hobson made his move too soon and hit Faulk for a pass interference call. That put the ball on the Jets 12. A hold on Watson moved the ball back and a defensive hold two plays later gave the Patriots a first down on the 17. Maroney did the rest of the work with three carries, 14 yards to the 3 followed by a 2-yard carry and then a 1-yard scoring play.

It looked all Patriots, especially after Vince Wilfork sacked Pennington for a 3-yard loss and then Leon Washington ran into the line for no gain on second and 13 on the Jets next series. But on third down, Pennington got off a throw just as he was being hit and Cotchery came up with it. Cotchery was blistered by Chad Scott as he caught it but somehow he managed to keep his feet and take off downfield for the touchdown, a 71-yard score. The Patriots challenged the play thinking his elbow had perhaps touched the turf on the Scott hit but the ruling on the field stood making the score 24-7 with 6:15 left in the third quarter.

Things started to get sloppy for the Patriots from there. Brady looked for a home run on the next series to Gabriel who was double covered. David Barrett made the pick and the Jets had the ball right back. A big New England penalty was next to give New York new life. Vince Wilfork jumped offsides and then worse, knocked Pennington to the ground for a 15-yard roughness call. From the New England 46 on third and 9, just plain sloppy tackling allowed Laveranues Coles to take a pass and weave his way through at least four would-be tacklers for a touchdown.

The third quarter ended with the score 24-14 and with the Patriots in possession of the ball on the Jets 42. Maroney set up the drive with a 39-yard return of the kickoff but the series of unfortunate events continued for New England as Kerry Rhodes came from his safety spot and nailed Brady from his blindside on third and 8. The ball was fumbled and the Jets recovered at the Patriots 49.

Mike Vrabel and Seymour teamed up to sack Pennington on third and 8 from the 24 and that play kept the Jets to only 3 points as Mike Nugent was good on a 42-yard attempt. Still, the Jets had somehow come from 24 points down to within a touchdown with 9:20 left to play. Plenty of time to complete the comeback if the Patriots didn't wake up before it was too late.

New England needed a nerve-calming drive and who else to lead one but Mr. Cool, Tom Brady. He converted three third downs, starting from his own 30. Reche Caldwell was good for a 6-yard catch on third and 5. Faulk had another 6-yarder on third and 4 and Brown made 8 yards on a third and 7 catch from the Jets 35. Add in a bone-crushing 10-yard run by Dillon where he flat out leveled Rhodes at the end of the play.

At the two minute warning, New England still had the ball third and 5 at the Jets 11. Dillon banged out another 4 yards to the 7 making it fourth and 1 with 1:47 left to play. Brady milked the play clock to 1 second and then called timeout with 1:15 left. A field goal would put New England up by 10 but Brady went to the line to try and draw the Jets offsides. New York wasn't buying and on trotted Gostkowski for a 29-yard attempt.

The kick was blocked and recovered by Jonathan Vilma. The Jets hopes remained alive with 1:05 left.

The New England defense dropped into a prevent and kept everything in front of them while Pennington, with no timeouts, dunked the ball downfield. The Jets plays were to the middle of the field, however, and too much of the clock was running down. With 15 seconds left, the Jets were second and 10 on their own 45 and Pennington decided to go for it. He lofted the ball downfield into a crowd and Bruschi made sure he held on for the game-ending interception.

[GuruTrader]

Just got back up and running on the cpu... im back!!!

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Patriots squeak out opener, 19-17 Fred Kirsch

It probably wasn't the type of game many predicted but the Patriots were able to shake off some first half cobwebs to scratch and claw their way to a 19-17 win over the Buffalo Bills.
After giving up 17 first half points (7 of them via a fumble return), the Patriots defense pitched a shutout in the second half while the New England running game showed off its new tandem of Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney. Dillon finished with 73 yards on 16 carries while Maroney contributed another 86 yards on his 17 attempts. As a team, the Patriots finished with 183 rushing yards.

Tom Brady had a uneven start to the season with only 11 of 23 passing for 163 yards, 2 touchdown passes and an interception.

On defense, Junior Seau led all tacklers for New England with 8. As the game progressed, the defense increased its pressure on Bills quarterback J.P. Losman, finishing with three sacks.

The game certainly didn't start in the traditional Patriots way.

The Bills Takeo Spikes returned to the playing field after missing last season with injury and made his first play an announcement that he's back to his old form.

New England opened the game first and 10 at its 21 with Brady dropping back to pass. Spikes shot through the line on a blitz and nailed Brady from behind. The ball popped loose and London Fletcher scooped it up into the end zone for the game's first score.

Unfortunately for Spikes and the Bills, he left the game with an apparent hamstring pull during the next series.

Brady bounced right back. After Dillon took a screen for 16 yards, Brady gave the ball to Maroney and the rookie immediately showed why the Patriots took him in the first round this April with a 27-yard romp. Three plays later he was at it again on third and 5 with a 22-yard run down to the Bills 3. A 5-yard 12-men-in-the-huddle penalty on New England moved the ball back to the 8 followed by Dillon getting stuffed for a 1-yard loss. Brady next found Troy Brown over the middle for a 9-yard touchdown and a tie game.

Buffalo grabbed the lead back with a 53-yard Rian Lindell field goal on their next series. On the drive the Bills offense looked shaky, with a couple early fumbles but when they needed a conversion, it seemed Losman was able to find one of his receivers for just enough to get his team to the Patriots 34.

The Patriots protection was clearly having trouble with the speed of the Bills defense as evident on the next series for New England. Brady fumbled for the second time while being sacked by Chris Kelsay. Dan Koppen recovered for New England but the point was well taken: With Brady being hassled and the line having trouble protecting him unless a tight end was kept in to block, his options were limited.

The Bills took over and began an impressive drive that ended with an Anthony Thomas 18-yard run for 6 points.

The first half ended with the New England offense in a fog. Brady had been sacked twice with another two passes batted down at the line; his team down 17-7.

It looked like the defense was caught in the same cloud as the second half started and Buffalo marched down the field with ease. Losman was finding open receivers and McGahee was running strong. Before New England knew it, Buffalo was fourth and 1 from the 7. Sensing the kill, Bills head coach Dick Jauron went for it. That's when the defense snapped out of its daze and stopped McGahee short of the sticks.

Taking its cue from the defense, the Patriots offense suddenly woke up. It embarked on a 93 yard drive that culminated in a fantastic diving catch in the end zone by Faulk on a pass from Brady from 17 yards out. The drive extender was a huge 34-yard pass down the middle to Watson on third and 9 from New England's 20. Once in Bills territory, Dillon and Maroney pounded the ball effectively, loosening up the Bills defense.

When New England got the ball back after stopping Buffalo three and out, the running strategy continued to work. Maroney had back-to-back 7-yard runs followed by an 8-yarder after Brady hit Watson for 11 yards on third down. Later in the drive, New England was faced with its own fourth down decision. On fourth and 1 from the 43, Brady got 2 yards to convert and then hit Reche Caldwell for 24 yards on a skinny post. The drive stalled at the 14 where Stephen Gostkowski was good on a 32-yard field goal to knot the score at 17.

Ever since the Bills failed fourth down attempt, the momentum towards the Patriots was building. It peaked on the Bills next series when a swarming Patriots defense sacked Losman in the end zone on third and 11 for a safety. Ty Warren got the credit for the play that put New England up 19-17.

The wind stopped blowing at New England's back for a brief period when Brady got picked off by Donte Whitner on the next play from scrimmage but the Patriots defense kept its end of the bargain by sacking (Richard Seymour) Losman on third and 2 for a 6-yard loss. On the Whitner interception, only a bad call by the referee saying Whitner stepped out of bounds stopped the play from really hurting the home team.

Once the Patriots got the ball back and Dan Graham hauled in a 23-yard pass, the win was in sight. At the two minute warning, the Patriots elected to go for a fourth and 2 on the Buffalo 26 and Dillon picked up 6 yards around left end. All it took from there was Brady to take care of the ball as he knelt to the Patriots opening season win.

[Trops]

The Patriots have their NEW Touchdown Song!
After a month of voting the new song is TWO songs! U2's ELEVATION and the 1812 Overture are the winners. Fan reaction to BOTH of these songs was phenomenal when they were played at the two pre-season games.
After a month of voting the new song is TWO songs! U2's ELEVATION and the 1812 Overture are the winners. Fan reaction to BOTH of these songs was phenomenal when they were played at the two pre-season games.
There is a definite Connection to New England and the two songs. U2 has a strong tie with the Patriots after they played the halftime of their first Superbowl Victory and U2's affection for Boston and New England. The 1812 Overture is the last song the Boston Pops play before the fireworks at the Fourth of July Celebration in Boston.

Thank you to ALL who voted and lets hope we hear these songs a LOT in 2006!

[Trops]

Amazing:End of q3 Troy 10-Fl.St 10.FSU not prepared.

[Trops]

The new and improved Patriots take the field Sunday at 1:00 vs the Bills.Rock on Patriot Nation.WWWIIIINNNNN PPPAAATTTSSS

[Trops]

http://www.investorshub.com/boards/board.asp?board_id=6833

[hopscotch]

shoulda known you'd be here haha

[Trops]

Week 1:Preview
Buffalo at New England
NFL.com wire reports
Matchup Breakdown | Game Notes
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (Sept. 6, 2006) -- The New England Patriots are coming off another tumultuous offseason. The last one helped end their title reign, and some wonder if this one could keep the team out of the playoffs altogether.

For the second straight year, the Patriots enter the season having lost a collection of key members to their Super Bowl teams when they host the Buffalo Bills.

"I don't think last year has anything to do with what's going to happen on Sunday at all," said New England safety Rodney Harrison, who missed most of last season with a knee problem.

New England overcame Harrison's injury and many others to go 10-6 and finish atop a weak AFC East last year, even after losing coordinators Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel as well as linebacker Ted Johnson and cornerback Ty Law.

The offseason losses this time are just as big.

The team saw wide receiver David Givens, linebacker Willie McGinest and kicker Adam Vinatieri leave via free agency, and defensive coordinator Eric Mangini became coach of the New York Jets.

Deion Branch, the 2005 Super Bowl MVP, has been a contract holdout and it seems unlikely he'll get back in a Patriots uniform. He's filed two grievances against the team after it turned down trade offers from the Jets and Seattle Seahawks.

The absence of Branch and Givens leaves quarterback Tom Brady, who led the team to three Super Bowl wins in four years before last season, without his top two receivers from 2005. The Patriots were forced to acquire Doug Gabriel from Oakland and Jonathan Smith from Buffalo last weekend.

"We'll have to see how all of that works out," New England coach Bill Belichick said. "That's a process that we're going to have to go through. We'll try to accelerate it as much as we can this week, but I'm sure that it will take a little longer than that."


With Tom Brady at the helm, the Patriots will expect to compete.
Brady, who threw for a career-high 4,110 yards and 26 touchdowns last year, also is likely to be missing a key newcomer on offense in the opener. First-round draft pick Laurence Maroney, expected to take some carries from veteran Corey Dillon this year, injured his knee in the team's third exhibition game.

On the other side of the ball, New England may be missing linebacker Tedy Bruschi due to a broken wrist that kept him out of the preseason. The 33-year-old middle linebacker missed the first six games of 2005 after suffering a stroke.

The Pats went 7-3 after Bruschi's return last season en route to a third straight division title. They were one win away from a return to the AFC championship game, but lost 27-13 to the Denver Broncos in the divisional round.

To add security for Bruschi, the Patriots signed 37-year-old Junior Seau after his four-day retirement from the San Diego Chargers.

"I think we're very comfortable with the football team that we've got," said New England's Mike Vrabel, expected to start alongside Seau at middle linebacker.

"You look at three or four weeks of camp, you're practicing with guys and different people are in and out. You understand that that's how it's going to be when the season comes. You're not going to play with the same guys throughout the course of a 16-game schedule and into the playoffs."

Hosting the Bills could be a good way for the Patriots to start off on the right foot, having won the last five meetings and 10 of 11. Buffalo has lost five straight in Foxborough since Nov. 5, 2000.

The Bills enter the season with a new coach, a new general manager and an overhauled roster hoping to end a six-year playoff drought -- the franchise's longest since the NFL merger.

Buffalo has 21 new players as it tries to rebuild after a 5-11 season.

"I think last year was probably my most frustrating year in professional football," Bills linebacker London Fletcher-Baker said. "I was just like, 'Man, let me get this nightmare over with because it's just one thing after another."'

The retooling started with the hiring of Marv Levy as general manager in January. The 81-year-old Hall of Famer retired after the 1997 season as the winningest coach in Bills' history (112-70) and led them to four consecutive Super Bowls.

The next hiring was coach Dick Jauron, who spent 2005 as the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator.

Jauron was 35-46 as Chicago Bears coach from 1999-2003 before being fired, but the Bills have welcomed the change from Mike Mularkey.

"You're not walking around on pins and needles," Bills safety Troy Vincent said. "He's not trying to be someone he's not. ... He's making people feel at ease but yet uncomfortable. He's been very up front. And as a player, everyone should be able to appreciate that."

One thing he was up front about was the starting quarterback position. J.P. Losman won the preseason competition with Kelly Holcomb and Craig Nall.

Losman stumbled last season, throwing for 1,340 yards with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions in nine games, including eight starts.

The offense is expected to center around Willis McGahee, who rushed for 1,247 yards last season, but saw his touchdown total drop from 13 to five.

He is expected to be more involved in the passing game despite only making 50 receptions for 247 yards in his first two NFL seasons.

[Trops]

Pats LB Bruschi returns to practice

NFL.com wire reports

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (Sept. 7, 2006) -- Tedy Bruschi returned to practice about one month after having surgery on his broken wrist and three days before the New England Patriots begin their season.

The inside linebacker, who broke his wrist on the fourth day of training camp July 31, was listed on the team's injury report as questionable for Sunday's home game against the Buffalo Bills.

Bruschi, entering his 11th season, missed the first six games last year after suffering a stroke the previous February. After he broke his wrist, the Patriots signed 17-year veteran Junior Seau to play inside linebacker four days after he announced his retirement.

[Trops]

Patriots Conclude Preseason at New York Giants New England Patriots
The New England Patriots will conclude their 2006 preseason schedule on Thursday night when they take on the New York Giants at Giants Stadium. The Giants have won all three of their preseason games entering this week and will provide the Patriots with a challenging test as both teams try to maintain momentum leading into the regular season.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2-1) at NEW YORK GIANTS (3-0)
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Giants Stadium (80,242) - 7:30 p.m. EDT

The New England Patriots will conclude their 2006 preseason schedule on Thursday night when they take on the New York Giants at Giants Stadium. After dropping their preseason opener in Atlanta, the Patriots strung together solid victories over Arizona and Washington at Gillette Stadium, defeating the two teams by a combined score of 71-3. The Giants have won all three of their preseason games entering this week and will provide the Patriots with a challenging test as both teams try to maintain momentum leading into the regular season.

Just 10 days after taking on the Giants, the slate will once again be wiped clean when the Patriots take on the Buffalo Bills in the 2006 season opener at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 10.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

TELEVISION: This week's game will be broadcast to a regional audience by the Patriots Preseason Television Network and can be seen in Boston on WCVB Channel 5. The game will also be televised live in the following markets: Providence, R.I. (WNAC-TV Ch. 64), Manchester, N.H. (WMUR-TV Ch. 9), Portland, Maine (WMTW-TV Ch. 8) and Springfield, Mass. (WWLP-TV Ch. 22) Veteran CBS broadcaster Don Criqui provides play-by-play and is joined by three-time NFL Pro Bowler and CBS analyst Randy Cross. WCVB principal sports anchor Mike Lynch offers on-field reports from the sideline.

RADIO: WBCN 104.1 FM is the flagship station for the Patriots Rock Radio Network. A complete listing of the network's stations can be found by clicking here. Play-by-play broadcaster Gil Santos is in his 30th season as the voice of the Patriots and will call the action along with Patriots Hall of Famer Gino Cappelletti. Santos and Cappelletti are celebrating their 23rd season as a broadcast tandem.

PATRIOTS IN THE PRESEASON

New England has won 12 of its last 18 preseason games dating back to 2002. Since Bill Belichick became the head coach, the Patriots hold an overall mark of 18-10 (.643) in the preseason. Overall, New England is 35-55 (.389) on the road in the preseason and is 65-63 (.508) in preseason games against NFC teams.

ROSTER REDUCTION DATES

The first mandatory roster cutdown date is August 29, two days prior to the Patriots-Giants game. On that date, rosters must be reduced to 75 players and NFL Europe roster exemptions will expire. On Saturday, Sept. 2, rosters must be reduced to the regular-season limit of 53 players. On Sept. 3, clubs may establish an eight-man practice squad.

SERIES HISTORY

The Patriots and Giants will meet for the 16th time in the preseason as both teams finalize their preparations for the 2006 campaign. The clubs will clash in the preseason finale for the second straight year, with the Giants claiming a 27-3 victory at Gillette Stadium in 2005. Overall, the Giants hold a 9-6 advantage in the preseason series, but the Patriots claim a 4-3 edge in the regular season. The clubs have been frequent preseason opponents recently, squaring off in the preseason openers for three straight years from 2001-03 and resuming the series in 2005. New England has won six of the last eight overall games between the clubs dating back to 1990, including three straight regular-season contests and three of the last five preseason clashes. The series dates back to 1970, the year of the AFL-NFL merger and includes some memorable games despite the relative infrequency of the matchups. In 1996, the Patriots stole a 23-22 win to clinch a playoff berth after trailing 22-3 in the fourth quarter. The first preseason game between the teams was in the first NFL game played in Foxborough, as the Patriots opened Schaefer Stadium with a 20-14 win.

INFREQUENT FOES

The Patriots and Giants have met just seven times in regular-season play. The Patriots' seven games against New York are the second fewest against any team that entered the league prior to the most recent era of expansion, which began with the entry of the Jaguars and Panthers to the NFL in 1995.

CONNECTIONS

Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick spent 12 seasons on the Giants' coaching staff, and was the team's defensive coordinator for their victories in Super Bowls XXI and XXV. Belichick joined the Giants as the special teams coach on Ray Perkins' staffing in 1979, and during his tenure coached special teams (1979-82), linebackers (1980-84) and the secondary (1989-90), while also holding defensive coordinator responsibilities (1985-90).
Patriots defensive line coach Pepper Johnson played for the Giants for seven seasons (1986-92), and was a member of the Giants' Super Bowl championship teams in 1986 and 1990.
Patriots tight ends coach Pete Mangurian was the Giants' offensive line coach from 1993-96.
Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin was the head coach at Boston College from 1991-93 and also served as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at the Heights (1981-83). Coughlin was also the wide receivers coach on the Giants' coaching staff while Bill Belichick was also on New York's staff (1988-90).
Giants offensive coordinator John Hufnagel was the Patriots' quarterbacks coach in 2003.
Giants special teams coordinator Mike Sweatman held the same position in New England from 1993-96.
Giants tight ends coach Michael Pope coached running backs and tight ends for the Patriots from 1994-96.
Giants assistant offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo has been an assistant at three New England colleges: Boston College (1991-92), Boston University (1993-96) and the University of Connecticut (1997-98).
Giants running backs coach Jerald Ingram held the same position at Boston College (1991-93).
Giants guard Grey Ruegamer played in 33 games for the Patriots over three seasons from 2000-02.
Giants quarterback Tim Hasselbeck is from Westwood, Mass. and played for Boston College and for Xaverian Brothers High School. Tim's father, Don Hasselbeck, played tight end for the Patriots for six seasons (1977-83).
Giants guard Chris Snee and Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka both attended Boston College. Snee was selected by the Giants in the second round of the 2004 draft, while Kiwanuka was taken by the Giants in the first round of the 2006 draft.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Giants kicker Jay Feely were teammates at the University of Michigan from 1997-99.
Patriots defensive back Eugene Wilson and Giants guard David Diehl were four-year teammates at the University of Illinois from 1999-2002.
Patriots running back Heath Evans and Giants wide receiver Tim Carter were teammates at Auburn University from 1998-2000.
Patriots rookie running back Patrick Cobbs and Giants second-year defensive end Adrian Awasom were teammates at North Texas from 2002-04.
Patriots offensive lineman Dan Stevenson and Giants cornerback Vontez Duff were teammates at the University of Notre Dame from 2002-04.
Patriots defensive lineman Vince Wilfork and Giants defensive lineman William Joseph were teammates at the University of Miami from 2000-02.
Patriots cornerback Randall Gay and Giants cornerback Corey Webster were teammates at Louisiana State University from 2001-03.
Giants wide receiver Michael Jennings was a member of the Patriots during 2004 training camp and was a part of the Patriots practice squad for three weeks in September, 2004.
Giants punter Travis Dorsch was a member of the Patriots practice squad for a week in December, 2003.
MEMORABLE MATCHUPS

Aug. 15, 1971 - The Patriots defeated the Giants 20-14 in the opening preseason game at the old Foxboro Stadium.
Dec. 21, 1996 - The Patriots rallied from a 22-3 fourth-quarter deficit to clinch a playoff spot with a 23-22 win at Giants Stadium.
Aug. 10, 2001 - New England began its Super Bowl championship season with a 14-0 preseason shutout of the NFC champion Giants.

LARGEST PRESEASON VICTORY MARGIN

The 41-point win was the largest margin of victory in Patriots preseason history. Prior to the win over Washington, New England's most lopsided preseason win was a 45-7 triumph (38 point margin) on Sept. 4, 1977. That game 29 years ago was also against the Washington Redskins in Foxborough.

PRESEASON SHUTOUT

New England's 41-0 shutout victory was the fourth preseason shutout in Patriots history and the first preseason shutout since a 14-0 victory over the New York Giants at Foxboro Stadium on Aug. 10, 2001.

PRESEASON DOMINANCE

Including their 41-0 victory over Washington, the Patriots have outscored their opponents 81-6 over the last nine quarters of preseason action. Beginning with the fourth quarter of the preseason opener at Atlanta (during which the Patriots outscored the Falcons 10-3), the Patriots have overpowered their preseason opposition. Last week, New England defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 30-3, at Gillette Stadium. Over their two-game homestand, the Patriots defeated the Cardinals and Redskins by a combined score of 71-3.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

ROSTER RUNDOWN

85
The number of players on the Patriots roster as of Aug. 27.

11
The number of players on the Patriots roster who were drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft in their respective seasons.

11
The number of players on the Patriots roster who were drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft in their respective seasons.

28
The number of rookies and first-year players on the Patriots roster.

25
The number of players on the Patriots roster who were drafted by the team in the last four drafts (2003-06).

49
The number of Patriots who have accrued three or more seasons of NFL experience entering 2005.

2006 MILESTONES

1
The number of 100-yard rushing games Corey Dillon needs to have recorded 40 such games in his career.

3
The number of touchdown passes Tom Brady needs to move ahead of Vito "Babe" Parilli (132) into third place in franchise history behind Steve Grogan (182) and Drew Bledsoe (166).

20
The number of points the Patriots' active scoring leader, Troy Brown, needs to reach the 200-point plateau.

21
The number of catches Troy Brown needs to pass Stanley Morgan (534 receptions) to claim the franchise record.

29
The number of receptions Kevin Faulk needs to pass Tony Collins (261 receptions) for the most by a Patriots running back in franchise history.

70
The number of yards rushing that Corey Dillon (currently ranked 12th) needs to move ahead of Mosi Tatupu (2,415) and Leonard Russell (2,437) into 10th place on the Patriots all-time rushing list.

1,965
The number of passing yards Tom Brady needs to become just the third player in franchise history to reach the 20,000-yard passing plateau, joining Drew Bledsoe (29,657) and Steve Grogan (26,886).

STREAKING

4
The number of consecutive Pro Bowls to which Richard Seymour has been selected.

10
The number of consecutive playoff games in which the Patriots defense has forced a turnover.

47
The number of consecutive games in which Deion Branch has caught a pass.

49
The number of consecutive games the Patriots have played since they last lost back-to-back games, dating back to December 2002. The NFL record is 60 games by the San Francisco 49ers from 1995-99. The next longest active streak in the NFL is the Denver Broncos with 20.

5
The number of consecutive 9+ win seasons for the Patriots, the longest current streak in the NFL.

8
The number of consecutive Patriots overtime victories, the longest current streak in the NFL.

8
The number of career receptions by Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel (including playoffs). All eight receptions have been for touchdowns.

89
The number of consecutive games, including playoffs, that Tom Brady has started at quarterback.

THE HEAD COACH

32
The number of years Bill Belichick has been an NFL coach, making him the longest tenured coach among the NFL's 32 head coaches.

11
The number of division titles Belichick has won as a head coach or assistant coach.

9
The number of head coaches who have won three or more NFL championships since the postseason era began in 1933. Belichick joined that elite club with a victory in Super Bowl XXXIX.

7
The number of head coaches in the NFL or college who were once assistant coaches under Belichick (Romeo Crennel, Eric Mangini, Nick Saban, Charlie Weis, Kirk Ferentz, Pat Hill and Al Groh).

THE KRAFT ERA

4
The number of times the Patriots have appeared in the Super Bowl since Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994. No other team has made more than two Super Bowl appearances in that span.

13
The number of playoff victories for the Patriots since 1994, more than any other team in the NFL during that span.

130-80
The Patriots' overall record since Robert Kraft purchased the team in 1994 (including postseason), a .619 winning percentage.

74-30
The Patriots' record at home since 1994, including regular-season and postseason games, a winning percentage of .712.

30-6
The Patriots' record at Gillette Stadium, including regular-season and postseason games (.833 win pct).

THE BELICHICK ERA

73-34
Bill Belichick's overall record as head coach of the Patriots, including the regular season and the playoffs, the best head coaching record in franchise history.

37-2
Belichick's record in New England when the Patriots score 25 points or more.

57-5
Belichick's record in New England when the Patriots score 21 points or more.

9
Coach Belichick is the only NFL head coach to win nine or more games in each of the past five seasons with the same team.