LOCAL SHOTS

Patriots Football Weekly has been and will be tracking as much of the Patriots time in San Jose as they're allowed to - whether it’s here on their blog or through updates on Patriots.com.  Well worth a read for the inside scoop.

• Mike Reiss looks at the snaps played by offensive skill-position players in the Patriots' 30-21 win over the 49ers.  Given the high snap count [81], it gives one an appreciation for the conditioning of WR Randy Moss and TE Benjamin Watson, who came off the field just three and four plays, respectively.
• Reiss gives us a look at the positional groupings utilized by the Patriots in Sunday's 30-21 win over the 49ers
• Chris Gasper notes the Patriots made valuable use of defensive packages.
• Gasper discovered that the team treated Victory Monday the same way they would have had they been hunkered down at Patriot Place instead of practicing at San Jose State this week.  The players have embraced the stay out west.
• Karen Guregian puts stock in the Bye week's bonding between Cassel and Moss.
• Guregian mentions one more significant stat: the Pats went 2-for-2 in the red zone, after a pair of games where they couldn’t buy a touchdown.
• Shalise Manza Young says the Patriots thank their offense for making defense look good against the 49ers.
• Young points to the benefits of the team staying on the west coast to prepare for the  Chargers.
• Mark Farinella writes that Belichick is back to his scheming ways with the "speed package" he unveiled on Sunday.
• Farinella also reports on some frustrating technical issues with yesterday's player-media conference calls.
• Patriots.com hails the three interceptions that helped the Pats win.
• Eric Mchugh concludes the key to it all was third down, and hands out his report cards.
  
• Ron Borges chimes in with his analysis and report card for each position.  He's a much tougher grader than Mchugh.

HOT SHOTS

• Lauren Carter clues us in to what's on Brandon Meriweather's playlist.
• Four players and a Belichick held conference calls with the media Monday.  Wes Welker, Rodney Harrison, Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris, Bill Belichick.
• The Herald's Point After blog highlights Belichick's confidence in Maroney.
• Young gets Up Close With Logan Mankins.
• Jim Donaldson reports on clutch, dependable Kevin Faulk.
• "Unbeatable Coverage".  Tedy Bruschi and SBLI re-upped the pitchman’s contract, which began in September 2007, for another two years.  Great call by SBLI.

LONG SHOTS

• Greg Beachum (AP) continues his analysis of Sunday's win, saying the Patriots returned from their bye week with a comprehensive effort that should erase the bad taste of the defending AFC champions' stunning blowout loss to Miami.
• Beachum (AP) also writes from the 49ers perspective.  "[Head coach Mike] Nolan was surprised to see New England's lack of innovation for the game after coach Bill Belichick's staff had a bye week to prepare. Nolan said the Patriots did nothing the 49ers hadn't already seen on film - which suggests New England's opinion of the 49ers is every bit as low as San Francisco's defensive abilities."
• ProFootball Weekly lists a few facts and figures for the upcoming week 6 matchups, including New England at San Diego.
• USA Today quotes LaDainian Thomlinson that it's a critical time ahead for the Chargers with the next few games determining what type of team they're going to be this year.
  
• Kevin Acee (San Diego Union-Tribune) says this Sunday night's prime-time matchup between the Chargers and Patriots has diminished in intrigue.