Bill Belichick addresses the media yesterday.
Another big division game for us here this week. Buffalo has got a little new look from when we played them in the past, but a lot of familiar faces. As usual, [they're] a tough, physical team. They play hard. [They] had a couple tough losses here against Miami and Green Bay, but they played both teams very well and things kind of got away from them in the fourth quarter, end of the third quarter against Green Bay. As usual, [they're] real good in the kicking game, good returners, good specialists, real good backs, big-play receivers – [Roscoe] Parrish, Lee Evans. Defensively, [they're] physical. [They] play in a 3-4. I think they're playing stouter up there, a little more physical style of play than they've had in the past. [They're] very good in the secondary – [Jairus] Byrd, [Donte] Whitner are back there, two active safeties and big corners. They do a good job. [This is a] big division game. We always have a tough game with them. It's always a physical game. We had a really hard time last year moving the ball, throwing the ball against them, so I hope we can have a little more production that we had last year and also play good defense and play well in the kicking game, because that's what it's going to take.
Tom Brady discusses what he'll see from the Bills' defense, especially with a new coordinator.
They're big. They're physical. I think that they're definitely a team that plays with great effort. They have some guys on the D-line that never stop working. In the secondary, they have guys that can make plays. Last year, they had 33-of-35 takeaways or something like that - second most in the league. They have some guys that can intercept the ball. [Drayton] Florence is an interceptor. Jairus Byrd's an interceptor. [Donte] Whitner's playing good football. [Terrence] McGee - [we've] played against him a bunch. So, if they can get a good rush, they can make plays on the ball, so we have to be pretty careful with what we're doing back there.
TEAM TALK
- Erik Scalavino reports Kevin Faulk held court at his locker today, telling the press he's done for the season.
- Patriots-Bills Wednesday Injury Report.
- Wednesday Pressers: Bill Belichick (14.35 min. video) and Tom Brady (15 min. video) Plus transcripts.
- Buffalo Bills Conference Calls: Chan Gailey (6.37 min.) and C.J. Spiller (3.52 min.) Plus transcript.
- Patriots Today - Replacing Faulk won't be easy. (3.24 min. video)
- Locker Room Uncut - Reaction to Faulk's injury. (3.52 min. video)
- Gillette and The Kraft Group today announced an extension to their exclusive naming rights for Gillette Stadium through the 2031 football season.
- Patriots Playbook - 9/22/10 Edition. John Rooke discusses the Patriots' divisional matchup against the Bills this Sunday at Gillette Stadium and more. (1:56:44 min. audio)
- PFW in Progress - 9/22/10 Edition. Patriots-Bills preview, the loss of Kevin Faulk and more. (2.5.44 min. audio)
LOCAL LINKS
- Stephen Buckley writes a terrific piece on Kevin Faulk and his outlook on football and life. "I’m not dead. I just hurt my knee. I’m going to wake up tomorrow morning."
- Christopher Price notes the Patriots offense faces an uncertain future without Faulk.
- Mike Reiss and Mike Rodak report Kevin Faulk showed up at the stadium this morning attending morning meetings.
- Ian Rapoport notes Kevin Faulk has not left the building. He takes his captaincy seriously.
- Mike Reiss talks about Kevin Faulk's future and what the Patriots might do to fill his shoes. ( 2.45 min. video) Faulk plans to rehab his butt off after surgery.
- Mike Reiss considers if Kevin Faulk will attempt to make a comeback next season.
- Mike Reiss sets the scene as the players returned to Gillette after their Tuesday day off.
- Albert Breer takes a closer look at Sammy Morris and how he might be big in replacing Kevin Faulk's production.
- Mike Reiss and Mike Rodak report Sammy Morris is prepping to fill Faulk's role.
- Karen Guregian reports the Danny Woodhead era begins. Boy, he looks young.
- Mark Farinella sees opportunity knocking for Woodhead.
- Glen Farley writes that after being cut by the Jets, Danny Woodhead hopes for a happy landing in New England.
- Karen Guregian talks about the unevenness of Brady's play against the Jets.
- Tom E. Curran says Tom Brady isn't quite dialed in yet.
- Mike Reiss reports that the Patriots might have to change their approach on offense.
- Rodney Harrison says the Pats defense needs accountability.
- Mary Paoletti notes the Patriots are smart to be wary of Buffalo's backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick.
- Ian Rapoport Patriots Notebook: Bills' rookie RB C.J. Spiller has started off slow; Sammy Morris is ready to fill in for Kevin Faulk and assume his role; Pats don't care about 13 game win streak over Buffalo.
- Monique Walker Patriots Notebook: Brady was frustrated that when it mattered, his throws didn't connect; Brady joked that he was glad Aaron Schobel retired before he had to face him again; S Jarrad Page is progressing well, but Belichick won't say when he'll play; Brady says that hopefully the Patriots will give the Gillette home fans a reason to cheer Sunday; Injury update.
- Albert Breer looks at where the Patriots rank league-wide statistically.
- Chad Finn offers ten thoughts on the New England Patriots.
- WEEI highlights Solomon Wilcots' appearance on the Dennis & Callahan show yesterday.
- Kirk Minihane answers his weekly Patriots mailbag.
- Dan Shaughnessy tackles the cutting edge topic of Brady's comments last week about crowd noise at Gillette. Way to beat a dead horse Dan.
- Chris Gasper devotes a column to address the hometown crowd noise factor too.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Matt Williamson (ESPN) Scouts Inc. ranks the top 10 rookies after Week 2. Aaron Hernandez stands out as "a Dallas Clark type threat from his tight end spot."
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Pat Fitzmaurice (Pro Football Weekly) Ten most intriguing players of Week 3. Aaron Hernandez gets noticed here too.
- Ian Rapoport (Sporting News) Week 3 matchup: Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Seven years of misery for Bills versus Pats.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Kevin Faulk's injury a Wes Welkerish jolt.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) AFC East Stock Watch.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Rex Ryan 'tired of the embarrassment'.
- Greg Bishop (NY Times) A coach's rebuke, and a player's shrug.
- Les Carpenter (Yahoo! Sports) Ryan scrambling to bring order in Jets carnival.
- Bob Glauber (Newsday) NFL must change rule on first DWI or DUI.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Mike Francesa of WFAN slams the Jets for their handling of Edwards.
- Steve Rushin (SI) What annoys me about the NFL and other things.
- Dave Goldberg (NFL Fanhouse) Dirty Dozen: Terrell Owens tops list of league's most disruptive players. Moss shouldn't be on this list.
VIEW FROM BUFFALO
- Tyler Diedrich (Buffalobills.com) More opportunities for Evans?
- Mark Gaughan (Buffalo News) Lee Evans: In Fitzpatrick he trusts.
- Jerry Sullivan (Buffalo News) Ryan Fitzpatrick is getting thrown to the wolves on Sunday.
- Sal Maiorana (Democrat and Chronicle) Buffalo Bills coach Chan Gailey explains QB switch.