New England Patriots Links 10/09/09 - Brady and the Champ

Christopher Price offers his list of Five things to watch for Sunday against the Broncos.

In four games, the running back out of Minnesota has carried the ball 27 times for 78 yards. That an average of 2.9 yards per carry, with zero touchdowns. Nine of those 27 carries have gone for either no yardage or have ended up in a negative play. Almost half of his carries (11, to be specific) have gone for one yard or less. The next time he finds the end zone will be the first touchdown since Super Bowl XLII.

But this weekend will begin a key stretch for Maroney. With an expected increase in playing time, the opportunity is there for him to win back the fans that booed him last Sunday at Gillette, and become the same potent force he was at the end of the 2007 season where he ran for 100-plus yards in four of five games. That chance starts Sunday for him in Denver.

Tedy Bruschi breaks down the Patriots-Broncos in all phases and says to expect a chess match.

This is a thinking man's game this week. Josh McDaniels, I'm sure he's been in defensive coordinator Mike Nolan's ear in terms of the ins and outs of the Patriots' offense and the adjustments they can make off his looks. Even before that, I'm sure Mike already had great background on the Patriots' offense, going up against a similar offense in training camp, so he'll be familiar with what the Patriots do. On the other side of the coin, the Patriots' defense will be looking at film of the Broncos this week and seeing plays that are similar to what they are used to seeing in training camp. So this game is all about wrinkles and adjustments coaches will make to counteract the schemes and defensive or offensive looks. A big key will be the sideline adjustments that coaches will make. You come out the first series, see what the team is running, and as soon as that series is over you're making adjustments on the fly. How good is Josh McDaniels at doing that? How good is Mike Nolan? We already know Bill Belichick is the best at making sideline adjustments.

TEAM TALK

• Patriots-Broncos Thursday Injury Report and practice participation.
• Erik Scalavino notes the Broncos have players that can change a game in one play. Plus news and notes from the Patriots locker room and Thursday's practice.
• Patriots Today: Broncos breakdown; stats on the Pats and a solid Denver defense.  (10.20 min. video)
• Patriots Playbook: Listen to this edition of Patriots Playbook as John Rooke is joined by PFW's Erik Scalavino to discuss this Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos.  (1 hr 56.25 min. video)
• Locker room uncut: Matt Light and Jonathan Wilhite on a Thursday before practice. (4.21 min. video)
  

LOCAL LINKS

• Mark Farinella focuses on the intriguing matchups, including "Brady and the Champ," for Sunday's game.
• Christopher Price looks at how Fred Taylor's injury will affect the Patriots running game.
• Ian Rapoport discusses Fred Taylor's injury and who'll see their playing time increased.
• Ian Rapoport offers a look at how the Patriots have done against opponents top threats they've faced so far: Terrell Owens, Jericho Cotchery, Tony Gonzales and Derrick Mason. 
• Ian Rapoport says Patriots DBs know they'll face a challenge with Broncos WR Brandon Marshall.
• Joe Zarbano posts some quotes of note from Behind Enemy Lines: former Patriots Dan Graham and Lonie Paxton plus Broncos QB Kyle Orton and WR Brandon Marshall.
• Jim Lazar offers his Week 5 picks; says it's come-uppance time for the grasshopper.  Pats over Broncos 31-13.
• Chris Gasper reports Mike Wright was fined $5k for his roughing the passer penalty Sunday.  Wright said he will appeal his fine to the league.
• Michael Whitmer Patriots Notebook: Mike Wright unhappy with being fined; Patrick Chung on Broncos WR Brandon Marshall: "He's a beast before he catches the ball, and a beast after he catches the ball."
• Globe 10.0 Chris Gasper and Michael Vega debate whether the Broncos are good enough to be 4-0. (2.07 min. video)  Tough schedule ahead for them:  Pats, Chargers, Ravens Steelers.
• Tedy Bruschi breaks down Pats-Broncos in all phases of the game.  Denver's quick defense could create problems for New England.  (Plus NFL Live 2.30 min. video  - Dilfer, Bruschi pick Patriots)
• Ian Rapoport says Wes Welker's phone was ringing non-stop last week from everybody wondering if they should play him in their fantasy leagues.
• Mike Reiss notes Guards Logan Mankins an Stephen Neal earned high praise from Tedy Bruschi.
• Mike Reiss notes Darius Butler made the most of his time in the key moments of the game Sunday, when he subbed for Jonathan Wilhite who had an issue with his equipment.
• Jim Donaldson says protecting quarterbacks is the right thing for the NFL to do.
• Shalise Manza Young catches up with Patriots injured rookie LB Tyrone McKenzie.  He's rehabbing his knee, learning the playbook, watching film and dreaming of the day he can finally play in the NFL.
• Chad Finn notes new radio station 98.5 The Sports Hub climbed in the ratings since its August debut.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Kerry J. Byrne (SI) The big D: Broncos defense in midst of staggering turnaround.
• Ross Tucker (SI) Inside the NFL: Broncos, 49ers experience impressive turnarounds.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Fair or not, ankle injury dents Taylor's rep again.
• Phil Simms (ESPN) Patriots have seen Broncos D before.
• Fox Sports lists Patriots-Broncos as the number 1 premier game to watch in Week 5.  Here is the AP preview of the matchup included.
• Ray Gustini (Nat'l Football Post) Week 5 picks.  Picks Denver over New England.
• Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Week 5 picks.  Brady a challenge for Broncos D.

VIEW FROM DENVER

• Jeff Legwold (Denver Post) Brady's year of transition.
• Mike Chambers (Denver Post) Broncos McDaniels not fair weather guy, held practice amid cold temperatures and rain-mixed-with-snow conditions just like the forecast for Sunday.
• Woody Paige (Denver Post) 5-0 would be a Super sign for Broncos.
• Lindsay H. Jones (Denver Post) Patriots and Broncos will both be out top running backs.
• Mike Klis and Lindsay H. Jones (Denver Post) Dumervil plans on treating Brady like every other QB.  Elvis Dumervil, who is tied for the NFL lead with eight sacks, said the fear of a roughing the passer penalty won't change the way he tries to pressure Brady.