Dan Duggan reports on Drew Bledsoe's rare return to Foxboro and how he's marveled by all that has changed.
"You look around here now and all that’s happened and where it’s gone," Bledsoe said. "When you’re a part of something, you hope that while you’re a part of it you make it better. Then when you leave you hope that whoever follows you picks up and takes it to higher and better places. That certainly has been the case here under the stewardship of the Kraft family, with Tom, with Bill (Belichick). They’ve just taken this franchise to heights that were unimaginable in 1993."
"It’s humbling," Bledsoe said. "It’s also something I take great pride in. I take great pride in being a part of those teams, and I emphasize being a part of those teams. I understand being the quarterback, obviously it’s the same old thing where you get more credit than you deserve. But being a part of those teams that started to turn this franchise in the right direction is something I take a lot of pride in."
Mark Farinella says there will be no shortage of challenges for Devin McCourty against the Chargers this week.
"I don't believe in [looking back]," the second-year cornerback from Rutgers said. "I don't think offenses or players look at what you've done before and say, 'You know what? I think we're going to leave that guy alone.' As a corner, I expect each week to go out there and be challenged."
"I'm only in my second year, and we've got Ras (Ras-I Dowling) out there, Kyle (Arrington) and Leigh (Bodden), and teams are going to take their turns," McCourty said. "They have good receivers and they believe in their receivers, so they're always going to take their chances down the field."
"You've just got to compete," he added. "This week, Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd, they are guys that can get vertical down the field as well. So we've got our hands full again. That's what you kind of expect in the NFL. There are more receivers that are bigger guys and can still run very well and run good routes, so each week you've got to be ready to go against the top guys in the league."
TEAM TALK
- Patriots-Chargers Injury Report for Thursday.
- Erik Scalavino projects the Chargers' high-octane offense will offer a potentially stiffer test for the Patriots defense than they faced in Week 1.
- Patriots sign OL Thomas Welch to the practice squad; release OL Nick McDonald.
- Paul Perillo spends some time with Drew Bledsoe and Jon Morris as they prepare for their Patriots Hall induction on Saturday.
- Patriots Today - Bodden comes back. (1.14 min. video)
- Patriot Today - Chargers loaded with talent. (3.08 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Watch these two in Week 2. (2.07 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Patriots Hall of Fame preview. (1.39 min. video)
- Locker Room Uncut - Secondary thoughts. (2.42 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Mke Rodak shares some quick hits from the Patriots locker room.
- Monique Walker reports the Patriots running game has legs, with Green-Ellis and Woodhead complementing each other.
- Ian Rapoport sees a rejuvenated Andre Carter on the Patriots, playing his natural position at defensive end.
- Chris Forsberg notes that Patriots safety James Ihedigbo thinks the Chargers offense will be a "fun" challenge for them.
- Chris Gasper gives his video preview of the Patriots' home opener on Sunday against the San Diego Chargers. (3.35 min.)
- Mike Petraglia says Aaron Hernandez knows he's a beast, and he loves it.
- Christopher Price reports Rob Ninkovich just signed a two-year $4 million extension with New England.
- Jerry Thornton explains why it's clear that Brady and the Patriots have just one thing on their minds.
- Mike Reiss offers the transcript of his weekly online chat. Terrific insight here as usual.
- Mike Reiss serves up some chat Q&A leftovers.
- Kirk Minihane goes postal, answering his weekly Patriots mailbag.
- Mike Reiss starts up his weekly look at the penalty leaders for the Patriots.
- Ian Rapoport explains why Tedy Bruschi was dead wrong in his on-air ripping of Chad Ochocinco.
- Christopher Price notes Troy Brown was a big fan of Chad Ochocinco joining the Pats, but sees him losing the confidence game.
- Mark Farinella believes one of the best things the Kraft family has done has been to make former players feel welcome as part of the team's extended family.
- Jeff Howe points to Drew Bledose's numbers and historical context to prove he deserves enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- Kevin McNamara reports Drew Bledsoe has fond memories of his time in Foxboro, and is proud of his place in Patriots history.
- NESN Video: Drew Bledsoe appreciative to be honored by New England sports fans as Patriots Hall of Famer. (1.15 min. clip)
- Chris Forsberg reports Jon Morris is humbled by his induction to the Patriots Hall of Fame.
- Chad Finn notices not only how many former Patriots have made the transition to media careers, but how many have done it extraordinarily well.
- Monique Walker Patriots Notebook: Devin McCourty expects to be targeted and challenged deep by Philip Rivers; McCourty caught his first NFL interception against Rivers; Practice update; LB A.J. Edds says he played enough during the preseason to develop confidence in his surgically-repaired knee.
- Michael Hurley makes his Week 2 picks. New England to win.
- Jim Lazar is happy to take Tom Brady's message to heart and makes his weekly picks. Pats 31-20.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Jason Cole (Yahoo! Sports) Turner, Chargers need to toughen up vs. Pats.
- Brian Billick (NFL.com) Kolb, Cardinals are class of NFL West; Pats 'D' in trouble.
- Total Access (NFL.com) Brian Billick looks at Week 2: Rivers vs. Brady. (1.50 min. video)
- James Walker (ESPN) Week 2 hope and concern: Patriots.
- John Parolin (ESPN Stats & Information) Three-Point Stance: San Diego Chargers.
- Gregg Rosenthal (ProFootballTalk) Bill Belichick is always coaching.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Pats will distribute 70,000 "MHK" lapel pins Sunday.
- David Flemming (ESPN Page 2) Try Brady's boots on for size.
- Nate Davis (USA Today) It's not just passing yards -- Week 1 produces record sack total.
- Jack Bechta (Nat'l Football Post) Is your team committed to winning?
- Peter King (SI) Weekend Pickoff: Week 2. Patriots 37, Chargers 28.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Week two picks. Florio picks Pats 38-27 and Rosenthal picks Pats 33-28.
- NFL Writers (CBS Sports) Expert Picks: Week 2. Four out of five pick Pats over Bolts.
- Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Week 2 picks. Patriots over Chargers 33-30.
- Staff (Natl Football Post) NFP Friday Forecast.
VIEW FROM SAN DIEGO
- Kevin Acee (San Deigo Union Tribune) W.W.B.D. to stop Chargers?
- Christopher Smith (Chargers.com) Chain reaction: It wouldn't hurt for Philip Rivers and the offense to control the clock.
- Kevin Acee (San Diego Union Tribune) Trailing against Patriots usually fatal.