TEAM SHOTS
- Cassel returns; Wilfork "a lot better"; Thursday Notes.
- Patriots - Raiders Injury and Practice Participation Reports.
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Wes Welker Thursday Press Conference.
LOCAL SHOTS
- Bill Burt looks at Raider Nation, and how the fans really feel about the Patriots.
- Shalise Manza Young reports teammates show compassion as Cassel rejoins them following his father's death. No "rookie wall" effect for Jerod Mayo.
- Chris Gasper notes Matt Cassel returned to the team and practiced yesterday; players hinted that he is expected to play Sunday.
- Ron Borges compares JaMarcus Russell's situation to that of Matt Cassel.
- Mike Reiss puts the Raiders in Focus, presents the Patriots Pro Bowl fan tally, follows the trail of a draft pick, analyzes the Pats efficient running game, and references a Fox Sports feature on an All-underpaid NFL team where three Patriots are represented.
- Globe Patriots Notebook: Wilfork ready to play; Warren (groin) and Vrabel (neck) had limited practice; Mayo misses Bruschi's presence; speculation on whether Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha will shadow Moss or cover Welker.
- Kerry J. Byrne says Patriots defense falls short when compared with the Raiders.
- Jim Lezar calls all old-school Patriots back to the field before making his weekly picks. Of course, he picks New England over Oakland 30-17.
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Projo.com presents its Patriots-Raiders pregame analysis, and offers its Patriots vs. Raiders Quiz, to test how much you know about the rivalry.
LONG SHOTS
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Moss loses Pro Bowl fan balloting by 18 votes. No Pats at all.
- Peter King (SI) makes his Weekend Pickoff and previews New England at Oakland.
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Sean Leahy (USA Today) Gannon, Brown: JaMarcus Russell not working hard enough to improve.
VIEW FROM OAKLAND
- John Ryan (San Jose Mercury News) Dr. Evil stole Al Davis' mojo!
- Cory Sterling (raiders.com) analyzes Sunday's matchup, calling it one of the toughest battles the Raiders have had to face this year.
- Steve Corkran (San Jose Mercury News) QB Russel needs to set the pace for Raiders.
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Jerry McDonald (ContraCosta Times) Russell unfazed by criticism.