Shots Heard 'Round The Web - Patriots Links 11/18/08

by Marima on Nov 18, 2008 8:35 AM EST in News Comment 7 comments

TEAM SHOTS

Patriots place CB Terrence Wheatley on injured reserve.
Despite changes, Dean Pees and Josh McDaniels haven't changed.
Patriots battle Dolphins in South Florida. Broadcast info, series history, quick hits and connections.

LOCAL SHOTS

Shalise Manza Young reports the Patriots prepare to tame the Dolphins' Wildcat.
Mike Reiss says Watson's overall performance raises some important questions about his role and the overall role of the tight end position in the team's offense.
Mike McDermott Football Today: Pats vs. Dolphins up next, What Cassel can expect in 2009, NFL union boss predicts lockout, and other NFL news.
Mike Reiss notes Patriots players eased back into the work week Monday, with their first practice of the week on Tuesday. Also, the Patriots worked out rookie receiver/returner Jayson Foster at Gillette yesterday.
YouTube has a few of Foster's highlight video clips from Georgia Southern if you're curious.
Mike Reiss notes with seven games to play, Mayo leads the Patriots with 85 tackles. That ranks him second in the NFL, behind Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson.
John Tomase gives us more Joey Porter sewage and how the Patriots haven't stopped a Wildcat play yet. Where's Karen G. this morning?
Charles P. Pierce has a feature story on why Robert Kraft's Patriot Place is the model for the new age of pro sports.

LONG SHOTS

Adam Schefter (NFL.com) ponders this 'package deal' from New England: Any team that hires McDaniels, already considered one of the top coaching prospects in the league, might have the inside track on Cassel.
Adam Schefter (NFL.com) also speculates that Cassel's asking price next season could be similar to Aaron Rogers' contract.
Bill Barnwell (Football Outsiders) writes Matt Cassel's work both in the air and on the ground resulted in what our statistics report to be the best game of any quarterback so far in the 2008 season.
Matt Sohn (ProFootball Weekly) says Patriots probably can't afford emerging QB Cassel this offseason.
ProFootball Weekly's Week 11 Players of the Week, featuring Matt Cassel on offense and Jerod Mayo on defense.
Andrew Brandt (The National Football Post) asserts that even with Tom Brady making eight figures, the Patriots would be wise to apply the Franchise Tag to Cassel.
Tim Graham (ESPN) opted for the no-brainer here, with a Joey Porter interview focusing on how he doesn't like the Patriots. Who knew?
Tim Graham (ESPN) now he goes for the absurd with this one, "Take your pick: Cassel or Brady -- no, seriously."

VIEW FROM MIAMI

Jeff Darlington (Miami Herald): Miami Dolphins amped up for New England.
Harvey Fialkov (Sun-Sentinal): Working Monday partially Patriotic.
Ethan J. Skolnik (Sun-Sentinal): Dolphins find selves on verge of national relevance.
Andy Cohen (Miamidolphins.com): Dolphins vs. Pats - The Big Time is back.
Dolphins Notebook (Miami Herald): Miami Dolphins coach defends play of special teams.

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Porter...

I smell a rant.

Blogger at SBNation's New England Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit

by MaPatsFan on Nov 18, 2008 9:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

The press keeps sticking microphones in this loudmouth's face

He hates the Patriots because they were up 21 points last year and didn’t take a knee. Hmmm…don’t think I remember the Patriots whining about the Dolphins not taking a knee when they beat us in 2006 21-0. Porter says he remembers everything?? This is only his second year with the Dolphins, what kind of history is he talking about??

More power to the undrafted chip still firmly attached to his shoulder, but man, his shtick is really old and bordering on plain old obnoxiousiousness.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Nov 18, 2008 9:38 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

don't be mad because he planted Cassel

to the tune of 4 sacks last time… Passing of the Torch part 2 this weekend

"I throw better than anybody in college and I can throw with anybody in the pros. There, that's what I think."
"I've been a Dolphin for 17 years, and I'll be a Dolphin for the rest of my life. That will never change."
- Dan Marino aka Quarterback God

by Little Nicky 21 on Nov 19, 2008 1:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

we'll just have to wait and see on that

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Nov 19, 2008 7:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I admit I know very little about usual protocol...

but what do you guys think about the fact that Brady’s keeping his head low and has seemed to virtually disappear off the planet? There was the infection thing, yeah, but we heard very little from Brady himself. It seems like it would be really easy for him to be really present and trying to coach Cassel and being in the spotlight, but he’s letting Cassel and the team take the light…maybe that’s normal, but I find it very classy.

by Squeaky on Nov 18, 2008 10:12 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good point

You know, I think I’ve taken for granted the lack of prima donnas on this team, but it’s really worth mentioning. You’ve got to hand it to the character of the players we have, and to the whole organization. Even Bledsoe, after being healthy enough to play but stuck carrying the clipboard, refused to grab the headlines and microphones to air out his grievances. He had motive and opportunity, but put principle before payback. How many athletes can you say that about? Or how many teams can you say that about?

I am 100% certain of Brady’s encouragement, help and support of Cassel, without the media reporting on it or Brady needing a press conference to discuss it and take the spotlight off of what Cassel is building each week.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Nov 18, 2008 11:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs