LOCAL SHOTS
- Mike Reiss focuses on Bill Belichick's unflinching support of Matt Cassel. Then turns his attention to finding out what happened to the Patriots' pass rush.
- Shalise Manza Young emphasizes that there is not a quarterback controversy in New England.
- Dan Duggan writes that the Patriots defensive backs will have their hands full with a talented Denver receiving corps.
- Reiss takes a look at the snaps played by defensive players in Sunday’s 30-10 loss to the Chargers.
- Reiss answers reader questions, mostly regarding the Patriots multiple personality disorder, and the players and coaches who enable it.
- Art Martone provides the transcript of Bill Belichick's Tuesday media conference call.
- Ron Borges wraps up the Chargers talk with a Best and Worst feature.
TEAM SHOTS
- On to Denver. Patriots.com looks ahead to Monday night's matchup against the Broncos, including series history, quick-hits, and connections.
- Michael Parente (Patriots Football Weekly) opens his weekly mailbag, full of mostly hassles about Cassel.
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Andre Tippet's Hall of Fame bust will be on display at the Patriots Hall of Fame Oct. 16th -20th. Monday night's game will be Andre Tippet Night at Gillette Stadium.
LONG SHOTS
- Anthony Cotton (Denver Post) with the Denver angle, says the Patriots have gone from the stuff of legend to something bordering on irrelevance, and talks about league "payback" for last year's Patriots dominance. wow.
- Jim Armstrong (Denver Post) plays it a little more fairly, "What we have here are two struggling teams trying to maintain their appearance as playoff contenders."
- Bill Williamson (ESPN) reports from the NFL owners meeting in St. Petersburg, FL, that Roger Goodell doesn't expect Raiders to file tampering charges.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) quotes former NY Giants coach Jim Fassel, who feels the Patriots should stick with Matt Cassel.
- Fun at the QB's expense. Tim Graham (ESPN) posts injured Giants DE Osi Umenyiora's Cassel-Brady comparison.
- We don't need your pity. Gregg Easterbrook (ESPN) expresses sympathy for the awful-looking Patriots.