New England Patriots Links 12/17/09 - Patriots Will Meet The New (and improved?) Buffalo Bills

by Marima on Dec 17, 2009 10:28 AM EST in New England Patriots News

Vince Wilfork warming up in the freezing cold.

Bill Belichick responds to a question about trying to be more focused on getting the running game going.

You know you guys have seen us play before and there's time where we've run it 30, 40 times. And there are times where we've thrown it 40 times, or 25 straight plays or whatever it is. Our philosophy offensively is to try to move the ball and score points. Whatever plays those are - if they contribute to that end result, then that's good; if they don't, then we'll try to find something that will. To me, it's not about runs or passes, or which player has stats or what player doesn't have stats, it's about the team moving the ball, not turning it over and ultimately scoring points. That's our job on offense. However that happens, if it's happening, it's good. If it isn't, then we need to find a better way to do it.

Karen Guregian reports Vince Wilfork left the field twice with an ankle injury Sunday, and continues to be dedicated and loyal even without the new contract he craves.

Many athletes probably wouldn’t have bothered, or risked further injury, but that’s not Wilfork. Even in a contract year, he went back out there and gave it a go. Maybe that’s why fans adore and appreciate him so much. Maybe that’s why he’s currently leading all AFC interior lineman with 221,195 votes in the latest Pro Bowl tabulations released by the NFL.

Along with being a force at his position, along with taking on double teams, he always plays hard and he’s always willing to play hurt.

Wilfork did not practice yesterday and was not seen in the locker room, but he did make an appearance Tuesday night at Ira Toyota in Milford to promote Toys for Tots.

The good news was Wilfork did not show up in a wheelchair, nor was he on crutches. By one account, he did walk with a bit of a limp. He did his best to reassure those in attendance he would do what was necessary to be able to play Sunday in Buffalo in a key AFC East game against the Bills. Wilfork signed every autograph and mingled for hours, talking shop and promoting positive feelings about the Patriots, even if those are in short supply at the moment.

TEAM TALK

Erik Scalavino Warren on Wilfork, Brady on Moss; Wed notes from Gillette.
Wednesday Pressers: Tom Brady (11:40 min video), Bill Belichick (24:24 min video) Plus Transcripts
Wednesday Conference Calls: Bill Belichick and Kevin Faulk Transcripts.
Wednesday Conference Calls: Perry Fewell and Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Patriots locker room quotes following Wednesday's practice.
Patriots Today: Brady, Buffalo, Wrap-a-Pat and more. (11:52 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

Karen Guregian and Ian Rapoport report the ESPN duo of Greg Cosell and Merill Hoge examined the coaches' game film and conclude that Randy Moss is no quitter and never even took one play off. Take that Bob Ryan.
Shalise Manza Young says new Buffalo' coach Perry Fewell has had a positive impact on the Bills.
Ian Rapoport notes the Patriots have simplified their defense and the players felt the difference.
Christopher Price reports that many New England defenders said there were fewer intricacies in the defensive scheme Sunday, cutting down on the communication issues that had been dogging them.
Michael Vega is aware of the man-shortage on the Patriots defensive line.
Kerry Byrne says that despite their recent struggles, T om Brady and the Patriots can win the Super Bowl.
Albert Breer notes Buffalo coach Perry Fewel sidestepped the question of Moss's effort last Sunday.
Albert Breer talks with Bill Belichick about his experience going through an interim coach situation back when Belichick was with Detroit in 1976.
Mike Reiss notes Bills' DE Aaron Schobel has more sacks against Brady (12 in 15 games) than any player in the NFL.
Albert Breer gets in touch with ESPN analyst Merril Hoge to talk about Randy Moss's performance and Hoge was quick and emphatic in his defense of Moss.
Mike Reiss looks at the weekly Patriots penalty leaderboard, noting false starts were the most common penalty.
Glen Farley (Brockton Enterprise) Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick learned his trade while playing for Silver Lake's Murphy.
Boston Herald Patriots Notebook: Bills have a new coach and a new look since Week 1; Injury updates - Brady, Wilfork and Warren all sat out yesterday; Press focus is still on Moss taking plays off and the team's support of him; Burgess felt good about getting his first sack in five games against Carolina.

NATIONAL NEWS

ESPN Report: Bengals' WR Chris Henry dead at 26.
ESPN analyst Merrill Hoge, a critic of receiver Randy Moss in the past, defends his performance in the New England Patriots' 20-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Video.
Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) Despite Drama, Pats still a playoff team.
Tim Graham (ESPN) Bills' captain irate over Incognito move.
Aaron Wilson (Nat'l Football Post) Bills LB Kawika Mitchell rips Incognito, calls him a bum.
Tim Graham (ESPN) An early look at AFC East MVPs. Wes Welker tops the list so far, with Darrelle Revis, Ricky Williams, Thomas Jones and Vince Wilfork trailing.
Tim Graham (ESPN) Kevin Faulk says Patriots were vulnerable all along.
Dom Bonvissuto (SI) NFL Playoff projections: Week 15.
Tim Graham (ESPN) Buffalo Bills claimed nasty guard Richie Incognito off waivers from the St. Louis Rams. Incognito is known as one of the NFL's dirtiest players committing 11 personal fouls since 2006.
Tim Graham (ESPN) Larry Izzo not ready to call it a career - yet.
Johnette Howard (NBC Sports) Colts, not Pats, best-run franchise in NFL: Indianapolis' consistancy has survived coaching change, injuries, departures.

VIEW FROM BUFFALO

Mark Gaughan (Buffalo News) Incognito claimed off waivers; Mitchell is no fan.
Sal Maiorana (Rochester D&C) Buffalo Bills' defense to face test with Wes Welker.
Don Bates (BuffaloBills.com) Bills eager to end Pats streak.
Rochester D&C Bills might face local TV blackout Sunday against New England.

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Comments

Wilfork....

He is such a class act. I really hope we get the deal done with him. I know that the management is taking a wait and see approach with the potential for an uncapped year, but I am anxious for this one to get done with.

by Ogor on Dec 17, 2009 10:34 AM EST reply actions

I'm telling you, we should start a "Pay Vince Wilfork" foundation

If every Pats fan donated like $5 to keep Big Vince I am sure that most would do it. I would certainly donate more than $5, lol

by bbismyhero on Dec 17, 2009 11:58 AM EST up reply actions

I'd support making that a permanent banner at the top of our page.

We need a movement.

As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he's talking about. --Shaun of the Dead

by JohnHannahRules on Dec 17, 2009 2:52 PM EST up reply actions

I do think Guregian is a little off, though:

Even in a contract year, he went back out there and gave it a go.

Actually, that’s what I would expect from a player in a contract year. It’s when they’re freshly-minted millionaires that you see them, let’s say, “look after themselves” a little bit.

As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he's talking about. --Shaun of the Dead

by JohnHannahRules on Dec 17, 2009 2:56 PM EST reply actions

Caveat on that

If it’s an injury they can’t make worse, they’ll definitely play – any stats they get bump up the contract leverage and potential pay-day, and they don’t want to pick up a reputation for fragility when negotiating with teams for millions. Plus a reputation for playing through minor injuries adds a little; they won’t be considered hypochondriacs (think Roethlisberger).

If it’s an injury they can further damage and potentially ruin them, they would be wise to not play – a guy with a torn knee or whatever isn’t going to command a lot in contract negotiations, but a guy with a minor knee complaint still might.. It’s similar to how guys with injury issues can drop in the draft; the bigger the likely injury issue, the more the draft stock drops.

Guys definitely want to rack up ‘contract years’, but not at the risk of incurring contract-destroying injuries.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.

by Comedic.Sans on Dec 17, 2009 7:46 PM EST up reply actions

right on

As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he's talking about. --Shaun of the Dead

by JohnHannahRules on Dec 17, 2009 9:57 PM EST up reply actions

wilfork....

well wilfork is a very classy guy. i also hope that the pats resign him. He stuffs the middle hole all the time and hes just dominant against the runnin game against other teams, and hes a heck of a pass rusher also! but if he decides not to sign at the end of the season its his choice and we have to respect that.

by nick49218 on Dec 17, 2009 4:40 PM EST reply actions

I don't even know why I bother watching Colts games...

Its always the same fucking thing… opposing team gives you hope… you think this is going to be it… opposing team shoots themselves in the foot… phantom calls… Manning throws for TD in the 4th… Opposing team shoots themselves on the foot one more time to seal Colts victory… It reminds me of when I was a teenager watching wrestling and that one wrestler that I hated would keep getting scripted to win and just as I was losing interest because he kept winning, he would lose and it would feel soooo good… except the Colts don’t lose…

by bbismyhero on Dec 17, 2009 11:49 PM EST reply actions

seriously,..How many of these close games can the colts win?

i know colts fans will be like 14-0 this team is flawless, but from what i see the team is always 1 play from a loss and everything had to fall in place perfectly. Iunno how well that translates in the postseason…

by lololol on Dec 18, 2009 12:32 AM EST up reply actions

They don't look dominant

but then the ability to grind out close wins was what made the 2003-04 Pats such good teams – they got into a habit of clinching close games.

I’m not sure whether to think they’re weak because they’re leaving it so close, or strong because they’re winning them anyway.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.

by Comedic.Sans on Dec 18, 2009 6:21 AM EST up reply actions

I gravitate towards the latter explanation

The Patriots were put down for years because they weren’t dominating other teams and winning ‘with authority’. Of course, when they did do that in 2007 they were put down for ‘running up the score’ on helpless coaches and opponents.

Personally, I really liked those grind-it-out teams and their gritty eked out wins because they never gave up and had the confidence that they could and would come back and win no matter what.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Dec 18, 2009 7:08 AM EST up reply actions

Nah, the 2004 Pats were dominant

They had very few ‘close wins’ (1 TD or less) that year.

They had two losses (20-34 to the Steelers and 28-29 to the Dolphins).

Of 17 wins (including the superbowl) they won by 7 or less just 3 times (including the 24-21 SB win over the Eagles).

Another way of saying it is that, of 19 games, they won 14 by more than a TD.
And actually they won 13 by 10 pts or more.

That team was solid. Arguably one of the great teams in NFL history.

by mmmmm on Dec 18, 2009 5:28 PM EST up reply actions

2004 was the exception

I consider that to be the best Patriots team ever

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Dec 18, 2009 7:16 PM EST up reply actions

just to complete the picture

the 2003 Patriots lost 2 and won 8 ‘close’ games (7 pts or less margin of victory).

So they fit the model of having to “win in the clutch” more than the 2004 team.

Probably because while the 2003 team had a dominant defense, they had a crappy running game. The 2004 team was virtually same except they added Cory Dillon.

by mmmmm on Dec 18, 2009 5:36 PM EST up reply actions

I can't remember...

but how many of those 2004 ‘winning by more than a TD’ touchdowns came in the last – ie, they were only marginally leading in the last quarter, and then sealed it with a fourth-quarter TD?

That still seems clutch to me, although it’s not within that 7 point bracket deal. Sealing the game with a late TD is just as hard as winning the game with a late TD – either way, the defence is going to be doing absolutely everything to turn it over, because either way it will end the game for them.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.

by Comedic.Sans on Dec 18, 2009 7:32 PM EST up reply actions