New England Patriots Links 12/21/11 - Mark Anderson Ready to Rush

Christopher Price notes Mark Anderson picked up right where Andre Carter left off, including a strip sack of Tim Tebow and fumble recovery.

"Andre is one of the leaders on the team, and we’re going to miss him. As a team, it’ll be a big (loss). A lot of people have to step up and try and fill his shoes," Anderson said after a Tuesday walkthrough. "I’m going to do my best and try and do whatever I can do to help the team out. But like I said, he’s a big part of the team, and we’re going to miss him."

"I feel comfortable. I’m enjoying myself every time I’m on the field," the 28-year-old added. "I have fun when I play. This is my sixth year in the league, and there’s nothing new. I’ve seen just about everything there is to see. Now, it’s just going out there and executing plays."

Bill Belichick responds to a question about Mark Anderson's development this year.

I think Mark has had a pretty solid year. He came in in training camp. Obviously had no offseason, we had a lot of exposure to him; he played in Chicago. He had a productive career coming out of Alabama, particularly his senior year and Senior Bowl. He was in Chicago and then last year in Houston, played in the 3-4 type of scheme, he also played defensive end in their sub situation. It's kind of like what he does here. He's been a pretty consistent player for us all year - in our preseason games, practices, regular season games he's been productive. [He] Primarily plays on the outside at the end of the line which is what he did in college, what he did in Chicago, although Chicago did play him inside some but primarily outside and at Houston. Good athlete, works hard, on the field - he's out there every day. Works hard, keeps getting better - it's a good formula.

TEAM TALK

• Game Preview - New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins. Broadcast info, series history, team connections and more.
• Erik Scalavino tells us what happened yesterday at Gillette.
• Paul Perillo points to a pair of questionable decisions by John Fox late in the 2nd qtr that allowed the Patriots to take control of the game.
• Ask PFW: New England's playoff possibilities.
• Patriots announce that DL Eric Moore has been released.
• Press Conferences: Bill Belichick (13.51 min. video) and Tom Brady (7.05 min. video)
• Player Interviews: Rob Gronkowski (2.45 min.), Rob Ninkovich (3.39 min.), Mark Anderson (3.12 min.), and Devin McCourty (3.44 min.)
• Patriots Today - A shopping spree to remember. (2.36 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Mayo, Carter, playoffs and more. (3.35 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Update from the fieldhouse. (1.38 min. video)
• Locker Room Uncut - Hear from Anderson, Gronkowski. (3.24 min. video)
• Patriots Playbook - John Rooke offers analysis on the Patriots win over the Denver Broncos. (2 hour program)
• PFW in Progress - The crew discusses the Patriots 41-23 win over the Broncos and takes the first look at the Patriots Christmas Eve game with Miami. (2 hour program)

LOCAL LINKS

• Karen Guregian reports Mark Anderson is up for the challenge of being the team's primary pass-rusher.
• Greg A. Bedard details what's different about the Dolphins since the Patriots played them in Week 1.
• Tom E. Curran reports Miami interim head coach Todd Bowles says his team won't "throw in the towel" Sunday.
• Karen Guregian believes it's time to lock down Wes Welker.
• Tom E. Curran looks at the RB by committee approach and says BenJarvus Green-Ellis is fine with it even though he isn't putting up the same numbers as 2010.
• Christopher Price reports Devin McCourty continues playing the confidence game at cornerback.
• Ian Rapoport notes the Patriots are aware they control their own destiny in the AFC, but only want to focus on Miami.
• Christopher Price reports the Patriots have already turned their attention to the Dolphins.
• Greg A. Bedard observes the Patriots are really building something collectively on offense, from the OL to the RBs to the WRs.
• Ricky Doyle posts a video of Chad Ochocinco's TD celebration, dubbed 'The Belichick' by number 85.
• Christopher Price tries to narrow down his list of Tom Brady's best seasons.
• Boston Herald Patriots Notebook: Chad Ochocinco broke his media silence two days after scoring his first touchdown for NE; Teammates took Andre Carter's injury hard; Patriots released Eric Moore; Patriots hosted the annual Gifts from the Gridiron holiday shopping event at Bass Pro Shops with players serving as personal shoppers for 30 children in homeless shelter programs; Miami Dolphins have gone 5-2 in their last 7 games; Mayo will earn an average of $9.7M per year.
• Michael Whitmer Patriots Notebook: Tom Brady is still on target to break Dan Marino's record for passing yards in a season; Patriots have two open roster spots to fill; Pats are expected to sign DB Vincent Fuller; Chad Ochocinco persuaded Wes Welker to open a Twitter account yesterday, and six hours later had more than 57,000 followers; Sebastian Vollmer was not at practice; More practice updates.
• Mike Reiss looks at the weekly Patriots tackle leaderboard and notes Matthew Slater is on top for Special Teams.
• Christopher Price breaks down the Patriots penalties through 14 games.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Kevin Fishbain (Pro Football Weekly) Patriots 60-second rant: Dolphins provide tricky Christmas Eve matchup.
• Kevin Fishbain (Pro Football Weekly) Patriots-Dolphins matchup of the day: Pats defense vs. RB Reggie Bush.
• James Walker (ESPN) Patriots playoff scenarios.
• James Walker (ESPN) AFC East stock watch.
• Scott Kacsmar (Cold Hard Football Facts) Captain Comeback Week 15: Perfect imperfection.
• Don Banks (SI) Inside the NFL: AFC West embodies what will be frantic end to playoff race.
• Kyle Stack (ESPN) Matt Light gets comfortable with SportRobe.

VIEW FROM MIAMI

• Alain Poupart (MiamiDolphins.com) Countdown to kickoff: Dolphins at Patriots.
• Shandel Richardson (Sun-Sentinel) First meeting against Pats a distant memory.
• Omar Kelly (Sun Sentinel) Miami Dolphins won't quit on season.
• Brian Biggane (Palm Beach Post) 'The year of the tight end' -- Dophins-Patriots will provide good examples Saturday.
• Andy Cohen (MiamiDolphins.com) Opinions on perfection, Bowles, Bush and more.
• Shandel Richardson (Sun-Sentinel) Dolphins LB Koa Misi placed on IR; QB Pat Devlin activated.
• Brian Biggane (Palm Beach Post) Dolphins still unsure of LT Jake Long's status but they're confident in new back-up John Jerry.