Bill Belichick talks about the more varied offense this year, with Tom Brady spreading the ball around to more receivers.
I think Tom has always tried to throw to the open receiver. We've always, I think for the most part, moved the ball around and had a number of different guys on the receiving end of his passes. We don't design plays [and say], 'Well, we're going to go back and throw to this guy,' or 'we're going to go back and throw to that guy.' We try to keep everybody involved in the play and then depending on how the defense and what kind of coverage they present to the quarterback, he'll make hopefully the right decision about where to go with the ball and those players will be open based on there being less coverage in that part of the field. That's kind of how we set it up. Q: When you did self scouting in 2009, did you find that he had targeted Wes Welker and Randy Moss too much and maybe forced it there?
Again, as a quarterback, you want to throw the ball to the receivers that are open. If you have confidence in certain receivers being open, sometimes you tend to give them a little longer look or maybe you stay with them a little bit longer because, all other things being equal, if you have a choice of going here or going there, you go to maybe the most confidence in. That comes up a lot in the passing game where you have not just one guy to throw to, but if they play a certain coverage you can go to A or B or if they play a different coverage you could go to B or C, however you have it set up. I think Tom always tries to do the right thing and do what's best. Sometimes that's, like I said, to give the receiver you have the most confidence in a little longer.
Tom Brady responds to a question about if everyone is okay with the ball distribution.
Well, we're all trying to win out there. So as long as we're doing well, I think everybody's happy. When we're not doing well, everyone's trying to figure out what the issues are. I've never met a receiver that didn't say, "I was open." Then I watch the film and there's three guys on him. I've come to kind of expect that from the receivers...and they want the ball. They're going to tell me when they're open and when they're somewhat open. It's not very often that they're like, "Yeah, they really covered me on that one. You could've thrown it. It would've had to have been right here, but...' You know, fit it into a window about 'that big' from 50 yards down the field.
TEAM TALK
- Erik Scalavino reports the corners were the story Wednesday, with Arrington, Butler and Wheatley getting attention.
- Wednesday Pressers: Bill Belichick (16.10 min. video) and Tom Brady (19.21 min. video) Plus Transcripts.
- Patriots Today - Another crucial division game looms. (2.48 min. video)
- Locker Room Uncut - Preparing for the Dolphins. (4.14 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Ohrnberger fills 53rd spot. (1:36 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Belichick breaks down win. (5.30 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Mike Reiss feels the MNF matchup against the Dolphins will show the Patriots' true colors.
- Ian Rapoport notes the NFL’s No. 1 scoring offense has used increased participation from players not named Randy Moss and Wes Welker, and it has flourished.
- Ian Rapoport breaks down the passing attacks of 2009 and 2010 based on the percentage a receiver contributes to the offense.
- Jerry Thornton nails this column on Moss vs. Media, one of many "stupid, petty, senseless pro sports-related conflicts" manufactured by the Boston sports writers.
- Christopher Price looks at Randy Moss' impact on the Patriots offense that goes beyond the numbers.
- Monique Walker reports Tom Brady feels the new tight ends could help in the always tough matchup against Miami.
- Mike Reiss notes Fred Taylor was sidelined today at practice due to a toe injury.
- Mike Reiss notes Bill Belichick's praise of Dan Connolly and how well he has more than held his own on the line and contributed in the kicking game.
- Mike Reiss points out the Patriots still used the shotgun without Kevin Faulk and looks at the numbers.
- Tom E. Curran highlights Alge Crumpler's "block of strength" contributions to the Pats offense.
- Ian Rapoport discovers Rob and Chris Gronkowski have a sibling rivalry over who has the better post-touchdown spike.
- Christopher Price focuses on Aaron Hernandez and his long journey to Foxboro.
- Ian Rapoport looks at exactly how much more valuable Aaron Haernandez has been than Ben Watson.
- Mike Reiss commends Darius Butler for facing tough questions from reporters yesterday.
- Mike Petraglia offers highlights from Darius Butler's comments to the media following Wednesday's practice.
- Karen Guregian wonders whether benching Butler was a gamble worth taking by Belichick.
- Mike Reiss and Mike Rodak notice the large crowd of reporters waiting to talk with CB Kyle Arrington Wednesday morning.
- Mark Farinella says the jury is still out on whether replacing Darius Butler with Kyle Arrington was an effective move.
- Mike Reiss and Mike Rodak report Terrence Wheatley is eager to join in the cornerback rotation, saying his rehab is going well.
- Karen Guregian catches up with sidelined CB Terrence Wheatley, who helps out by keeping his teammates' confidence high and being there to talk to.
- Ian Rapoport details Shawn Crable's contract.
- Albert Breer discusses a couple of points that stood out from Bill Belichick's Wednesday press conference.
- Mike Reiss lists the five players recognized as the practice players of the week.
- Christopher Price talks about the heated AFC East division race.
- Mark Farinella writes the Patriots have something to prove in Miami, and that includes a quality win on the road.
- Karen Guregian notes the last time Karlos Dansby played the Patriots was a 47-7 beatdown of the Cardinals at Gillette on a snowy December Sunday.
- Albert Breer reports on a local couple that will donate $1,000 to Brady's Best Buddies charity for each touchdown pass he throws this fall.
- The Herald mentions Devin McCourty gave the BC High freshman football team a pro pep talk yesterday.
- Albert Breer reports Bill Parcells still has it.
- Albert Breer examines Miami's single-wing style of attack so far this year.
- Ron Borges points out the hypocrisy of the concussion issue and why the present system doesn't work in the NFL.
- Ian Rapoport Patriots Notebook: BenJarvus Green-Ellis may see his workload increase with Fred Taylor's status unclear; Dolphins LB Karlos Dansby is thriving in Miami; Tom Brady wants to play for a long time; Pats promoted G Rich Ohrnberger to the active roster; Miami's wildcat has been pretty much declawed.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Rex Ryan explains Trent Edwards claim. He wanted information on Buffalo's offense.
- Jeremy Lundblad (ESPN) Breaking down the Patriots' road woes. (Warning: may cause stomach upset.)
- Tim Graham (ESPN) AFC East Stock Watch.
- Matt Williamson (ESPN) Scouts Inc. ranks the top 10 rookies after Week 3. Hernandez at no. 5.
- NFL.com Vote for Week 3 Pepsi Rookie of the Week. Aaron Hernandez one of the nominees.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Hernandez, Spiller climb on 'Rookie watch'.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) AFC East docket nearing two-month hiatus. After Sunday, there won't be another game between two AFC East clubs until Dec. 6th.
- NFL.com Week 4 schedule highlighted by important division clashes.
- Sporting News NFL Team Reports: All eyes turn to Week 4.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Center-QB exchange important.
- Jennifer Baker (CIncinnati Enquirer) Chad Ochocinco cereal box connects with sex line. Misprinted phone number supposed to reach children's charity.
VIEW FROM MIAMI
- Jeff Darlington (Miami Herald) Dolphins CB Vontae Davis learns from Randy Moss.
- Greg Stoda (Palm Beach Post) Loss to Jets makes Monday's Patriots game a must-win for Dolphins.
- Andy Kent (MiamiDolphins.com) Dolphins defense wary of New England's young tight ends.
- Brian Biggane (Palm Beach Post) Beware the Pats' tight ends.
- Alain Poupart (MiamiDolphins.com) Countdown to kickoff: Dolphins vs. Patriots.
- David J. Neal (Miami Herald) Tom Brady plans to keep tormenting NFL.
- Omar Kelly (Sun Sentinel) Breakdown: Miami Dolphins stock report.
- Armando Salguero (Miami Herald) Karlos Dansby dishes on Pats, prep, past.
- Brian Biggane (Palm Beach Post) Dolphins not saying whether LB Channing Crowder is ready to play Monday vs. Patriots.