Vince Wilfork ready for some smash-mouth football.

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Shalise Manza Young notes Jerod Mayo says discipline is the key to stopping the WIldcat.

Asked on Thursday what his thoughts were after that initial play, Mayo smiled.

"Um…call a timeout," he said, laughing. "I know we came to the sideline and Bill (Belichick) just told everybody to calm down and made a couple of adjustments, but unfortunately they didn’t work out that day." 

It didn’t help that even Mayo mentioned that tackling was a big issue for the Patriots in that game.

Mayo and the Patriots did a much better job the second time around last season, and they know what is required for them to be successful again on Sunday.

"I wouldn’t say patience; I would say discipline," the defensive captain said. "If everybody does their job, I feel we’ll be OK."

Ron Borges captures Vince Wilfork's feeling that this will be a physical fight to the finish against Miami.

"One thing is sure, we’re gonna have to tackle," Wilfork said yesterday of the task that awaits Sunday in facing the NFL’s third-most productive rushing attack, one that attacks not only with Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams but often with both of them in the hybrid, Wildcat offense that undressed Wilfork and his teammates when first unveiled a year ago. "They want to run the football. That’s the challenge for us. On Sunday, you’re gonna see a big-time match."

"We’re going to have our mind right," Wilfork said, smiling broadly. "That’s my style of game. They’re not trying to trick you. They’re going to try to run the ball."

"They’re strong, they can move, they’re powerful and they want to be physical," he said. "If we don’t have our mind right it’s going to be a long day for us, but I think we understand how we want to play this game. We’re looking forward to it and I’m sure they’re looking forward to it."

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino Bodden, Wilfork welcome Wildcat test; Wed news and notes from practice.
• Erik Scalavino Mayo downplays his Wildcat experience; Thurs news and notes from practice.
• Thursday Press Conference:  Bill Belichick (12:43 min. video) plus Transcript.
• Patriots-Dolphins Injury Report and Thursday practice participation.  Ty Warren (ankle) and Benjamin Watson (back) were limited in practice.
• Patriots Today: Dolphin breakdown, Hannah's hit and more. (8.53 min. video)
• Locker Room Uncut: Welker, Thomas and more. (4.19 min. video)
  

LOCAL LINKS

• Ian Rapoport focuses on quiet rookie defensive lineman Myron Pryor, who may see even more playing time on Sunday as the line's top sub.
• Monique Walker reports Ty Warren's week off made him stronger.
• Tedy Bruschi (ESPNBoston) Don't underestimate the Dolphins. Patriots' opponent defined not by Wildcat but by toughness.
• Christopher Price lists Five Things to watch for Sunday afternoon.
• Ian Rapoport notes Belichick's frustration with how the refs are calling, or not calling, the wedge rule on returns.  Check out the quick clip of this non-call of an obvious illegal wedge on a Bucs return against the Panthers.
• Mike Reiss fires off eight questions with rookie WR Brandon Tate, talking about his experience so far.
• Mike Reiss offers some sights and sounds from Gillette Stadium Thursday.
• Mike Reiss presents Dan Dierdorf's thoughts on Patriots-Dolphins.
• Mike Reiss puts up the transcript of his weekly online chat from Thursday. Lots of good insight here as usual.
• Boston Herald Patriots Notebook: Mayo notes the Wildcat isn't the issue, it's stopping Ronnie Brown; Sammy Morris could be back in 2 weeks; Jonathan Wilhite missed practice because he was sick; Friends Tom Brady and Jason Taylor will turn into rivals again on Sunday.
• Boston Globe Patriots Notebook: Ginn's speed needs special attention; Wildcat has been spotted before; injury update.
• Ian Rapoport talks about how the Patriots are vigilant in keeping a very real threat at bay: the Flu.
• Jim Lazar makes his weekly picks.  Pats over Fins 34-14.
  

NATIONAL NEWS

• Tim Graham (ESPN) AFC East's most YACtacular players.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Belichick dissects Williams, aka the Wildcat.
• Vic Carucci (NFL.com) Wildcat might have been tamed, but formation still has claws.
• Peter King (SI) Weekend Pickoff. Hmmmm. Brady, Chad Henne. Henne, Brady. In Foxboro. I can't see Miami winning. Pats 27-22.
• Don Banks (SI) Behind the Browns debacle: Kokinis lost power struggle with Mangini.
• Dan Pompei (NBC Sports) What's next? Favre wins MVP and Colts falter. Bold predictions for season's 2nd half include Bucs winning and Vick shining.
• Michael Lombardi (Nat'l Football Post) Tavern talk: Lerner says Mangini will be back; Can Texans beat Indy?
• Dennis Dillon (Sporting News) Confluence of influence: NFL coaches praise mentors.
• Adam Schein (Fox Sports) Boom or bust: Jason Taylor should win comeback award.
• Gil Brandt (NFL.com) 9 Matchups to watch this Sunday.
• Kerry J. Byrne (CHFF) The decline of QB sacks in the NFL.

VIEW FROM MIAMI

• David J. Neal (Miami Herald) Sunday's game all about Miami matching wits with Patriots.
• Mike Beradino (Sun-Sentinal) Miami Dolphins look to continue strong play against Tom Brady.
• Omar Kelly (Sun-Sentinal) Phins Wrap: Where is New England's weakness?
• Andy Kent (Dolphins.com) Taylor and Brady very familiar with each other.
• Mike Beradino (Sun-Sentinal) Bill Belichick hates thought of preparing for Jason Taylor.
• Armando Salguero (Miami Herald) A Wildcat wrinkle the Dolphins should consider.
• Mike Beradino (Sun-Sentinal) Joey Porter insists he doesn't play dirty.  Bet he was one of the three that voted for Rodney Harrison.
• Jeff Darlington (Miami Herald) Joey Porter readies for hated opponent.