New England Patriots Links 10/02/09 - Brady, Moss Join NFL In Raising Awareness For Breast Cancer

Frank Gifford on Bill Belichick, from the new book, "Then Madden said to Summerall..."  The Best NFL Stories Ever Told"

"I think Bill Belichick is the best coach in the game today and has been for a long time. He gets beat up a lot because he's not the most personable guy. He doesn't do a lot of politicking. He never has. But as far as I'm concerned, he's the finest coach. He's a coach's coach, is what he is. Most of them are psychologists, or think they are. And then they let a staff of 24 do the rest of it. Not Belichick. He coaches the team."

Christopher Price notes after the jobs he’s handled over the first three weeks of the regular season, it appears New England found a worthy successor to Rodney Harrison in Brandon McGowan.

Last week against Atlanta, he handled tight end Tony Gonzalez, delivered a crushing hit on quarterback Matt Ryan and generally made life difficult for the rest of the Falcons offense.

"I think the more he’s played, the better he’s played," Belichick said of the former Chicago safety, who was signed by the Patriots as a free agent on May 5 and has far exceeded expectations. "And the more impact he’s had on the game, the more you want him in there. And he’s done a good job."

Mark Farinella reports Tom Brady wore a pair of pink highlighted cleats and Randy Moss a pair of pink receivers gloves at practice yesterday.  They join more than 100 players across the NFL wearing pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

"Cancer affects everybody in some way," Moss said in a press release. "If I can do something to help people out, to raise awareness and help raise money, well, that's what it's all about. I want to make a difference."

"I haven’t been affected (by breast cancer) in my family, but it’s for awareness," Moss said to Karen Guregian. "That’s what it’s for, so I’m happy to help, and I’m going to give ’em hell (with these gloves)."

TEAM TALK

• Patriots-Ravens Injury Report and practice participation for Thursday.
• Erik Scalavino Sands stands tall with media; Thursday practice notes.
• Patriots Today: Breaking down Baltimore, Flacco's flock and more.  (8.56 min. video)
  

LOCAL LINKS

• Chris Gasper breaks down his three keys for the Patriots against the Ravens Sunday: Red zone efficiency, the turnover battle, and chemistry.  (2.05 min. video)
• Christopher Price offers his five things to watch for on Sunday against the Ravens.
• Shalise Manza Young notes Baltimore's defense poses problems for Patriots, it's better than the Jets.
• Michael Vega catches us up with Brandon McGowan, the Pats tough, hard-hitting force (as in forced fumble) at safety.
• Ian Rapoport says S Brandon McGowan's reckless style has resulted in injuries, but he always comes back.
• Karen Guregian reports Randy Moss is feeling a little bit better after playing with incredible back pain on Sunday.
• Michael Vega informs us that Nick Kaczur returned to practice after missing Wednesday with an ankle injury.  Vince Wilfork (ankle) was not present Thursday.
• Jeff Howe reports CB Shawn Springs is unhappy with his performance as a Patriot so far.  "[I’m] not to where I like to be," Springs said. "I’m really hard on myself. I always think I can improve and play better."
• Michael Vega offers some comments from veteran free agent Terdell Sands during a brief Q&A.
• Mark Farinella describes Terdell Sands as a "self-contained dune" and lists the other big men who have worn a Patriots uniform in the past.
• MIchael Vega Patriots Notebook: Sands to substitute for injured Wilfork; Prescott Burgess returns to the locker room signed to the practice squad, and isn't telling whether he gave any inside Ravens info to the Pats; LB Ray Lewis looks forward to meeting with Fred Taylor again, a player he respects.
• Jim Lazar says the Ravens are No. 1 in offense, No. 2 in defense and No. 3 in playing the easiest schedule in NFL history.  He makes his week 4 picks including Pats over Ravens, 24-20.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Damon Hack (SI) Belichick's biggest challenge: The test for the Patriots in 2009 is to remain competitive at the highest level while working in new players and new schemes.
• Mike Reiss reports Patriots are relying on sub-packages, using their versatile secondary in different ways;  Boomer Esiason likes the Pats on Sunday and shares his thoughts; and he notes that Baltimore and New England have been frequent trade partners, with three deals this year.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Mike Reiss previews the Patriots' game against the Ravens. (2.26 min. video.)
• Adam Schein (Fox Sports) Boom or Bust: Expect Flacco to out-perform Brady. 
• Peter King (SI) Weekend Pickoff:  Pats over Ravens 20-16, plus pre-game analysis.
• Tedy Bruschi (ESPN) Week 4 X factors.  With Patriots-Ravens it will be running backs and running game.  (2.25 min. video)
• Gil Brandt (NFL.com) Week 4 matchups to watch.
• Fox  Sports Week 4's premium NFL matchups.  Ravens-Patriots number 5.   (Packers-Vikings number 1)
• Mike Florio (Pro  Football Talk) Pereira discusses goal-line cameras for review.  Something Belichick has been lobbying for, for years.
  

VIEW FROM BALTIMORE

• Ken Murray (Baltimore Sun) Ravens give Patriots respect, not awe.
• Edward Lee (Baltimore Sun) Familiarity with Moss breeds competition for Ravens.
• Jamison Hensley (Baltimore Sun) Their pain, our gain.  At Foxborough, another chance to capitalize on other teams' injuries.
• Mike Preston (Baltimore Sun) Decade-long rivalry pits Ray Lewis against Fred Taylor again.
• Baltimore Sun staff  Ravens vs. Patriots:  Three things that need to go right, and Three things that could go wrong.
• Mike Duffy (BaltimoreRavens.com) Ravens have never beaten Pats.  The Ravens are road warriors but they are also 0-4 against the Patriots.
• Sarah Ellison (BaltimoreRavens.com) Flacco vs. Brady.
• Mike Duffy (BaltimoreRavens.com) What's up with A.D.?  Thomas didn't  have much to say to Baltimore media.