LOCAL SHOTS
- Mike Reiss informs us that Vince Wilfork was summoned to New York to meet with commissioner Roger Goodell regarding a possible suspension for a hit to Denver QB Jay Cutler.
- Reiss compares Billy Yates with Stephen Neal, updates us on Sammy Morris and the status of the running backs, notes that veteran lineman Oliver Ross was released.and answers reader questions and comments in his weekly mailbag.
- Shalise Manza Young focuses on the impact of playing a penalty-free game.
- John Tomase says if you look at the records, you’d think the Indianapolis Colts were the team that had lost their Hall of Fame-bound quarterback.
- Patriots.com gives us their Patriots vs. Colts pregame analysis, with everything you wanted to know about this frenzied rivalry.
- Paul Perrillo (Patriots Football Weekly) opens his mailbag to answer reader questions and comments.
FOCUS ON THE COLTS
- Philip B. Wilson (Indy Star) compares how the Patriots and Colts match up in his pregame analysis from the Indy point of view. Note: Belichick "wins" the battle of which coach is dealing with the most injuries. whoopee.
- Philip B. Wilson (Indy Star) points out that Matt Cassel has a better passer rating than Peyton Manning. Go figure.
- Mike Chapell (Indy Star) quotes Colts coach Tony Dungy on Sunday's matchup, "[The players] know the challenge we have with New England, another national TV game, a game that we really need to win.’’
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Mike Chapell (Indy Star) asserts that the Colts players who are getting the most money and attention are off their games.
LONG SHOTS
- Mike Klis (Denver Post) notes that it wasn't just big Vince Wilfork singled out, right tackle Ryan Harris, running back Michael Pittman and linebacker Jamie Winborn were each fined $5,000 for their respective transgressions in the Broncos' 41-7 loss to the Patriots.
- Adam Schefter (NFL.com) backs Bill Belichick on his comments regarding the Colts' dubious injury reports that blatantly leave out a hurting Peyton Manning.
- NFL.com includes Richard Seymour as a nominee for Defensive Player of the Week. Head on over and give him a vote...or two.
- Bill Coats (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) rails against the officiating Sunday and mocks the Patriots' penalty-free 'perfect' game. Head coach Jim Haslett will be sending the tapes off to the league to educate the officials on what they missed.
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Associated Press reports that the Krafts are now the title sponsors of the Israeli Football League, now in its second season.