Shots Heard 'Round The Web - Patriots Links 9/26/08

TROY BROWN

• Ron Borges presents a great look at Troy Brown, presenting him as a throwback to the early years in the NFL when players weren't so specialized in any one area.
• More Troy Nuggets, from Mike Reiss.  Good ones too.
• Karen Guregian gives a look at some of the plays Belichick poignantly brought back to life during Brown’s retirement press conference, and what he had to say about each.
• Shalise Manza Young gives us the real scoop on what made Troy Brown retire.

LOCAL SHOTS

• Reiss also gives us a look at where the Patriots rank in key NFL categories through three games.
• Gasper & Reiss's Notes:  Maroney practiced in full pads, Cassel gets some words of wisdom from Tom Brady, and lists who practiced and who didn't yesterday.
• Matt Cassel answers questions at his Thursday press conference.
• Guregian compares Tom Brady and Matt Cassel's numbers, and reports on Laurence Maroney's frustration with injury and image.
• Belichick had the team practicing in full pads before letting them go for the Bye weekend.
• Wes Welker:  The Early Years.  Wes Welker's parents shared some of their favorite childhood pictures with WBZ.
• Chad Finn coughs up a one-sided beat-fest on this "enigma" of a team, and not many escape his oh-so-clever one-liner slams.

ESPN's Tim Graham discusses the weakness of the Wildcat Formation:  Destroy the vulnerable QB.