New England Patriots Links 10/25/12 - Survival By Turnover a Dangerous Way to Live

Karen Guregian focuses on how the defense giveth but also taketh away. The only thing saving the D right now are the turnovers it gets.

And if you look back, takeaways have been a huge element in each of the Pats’ four victories.

Remember Chandler Jones’ strip-sack of the Tennessee Titans [team stats]’ Jake Locker and fellow rookie Dont’a Hightower’s subsequent fumble return for a touchdown that swung momentum early in the season-opening win?

Or how about the Buffalo win during Week 4 when Brandon Spikes forced two fumbles, none more important than the one committed by Bills running back C.J. Spiller at the goal line before the half?

Then there was Ninkovich and Spikes combining to pry the ball loose from Willis McGahee on a pivotal Denver drive late in the game in the win against the Broncos.

So the defense clearly has made a difference in that regard. And it’s something opponents are quick to recognize. ...

Now for the down side in this equation.

While it’s great to see Spikes, Ninkovich, Jones and Jerod Mayo popping balls loose, or Devin McCourty making off with an occasional interception, it’s just not something you can count on.

This isn’t supposed to be the defense, it’s supposed to be a complementary element of the defense. While the unit has produced turnovers in all seven games, that hasn’t always translated into wins.

Survival by the turnover is a dangerous way to live.

TEAM TALK

• Patriots-Rams Wednesday Injury Report.
• Devin McCourty named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week by the NFL.
• Erik Scalavino updates us on what happened Wednesday at Gillette.
• Press Conference: Tom Brady (14.25 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Wednesday practice report. (1.02 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Wembley, here we come. (2.52 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Belichick breaks it down. (3.27 min. video)
• Locker Room Uncut - Locker room chatter. (2.58 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Jeff Howe tries to figure out who this 2012 Patriots team is, saying it's tough to draw any parallels between this year and past seasons.
• Field Yates highlights Tom Brady's press conference on the eve of the team's London trip.
• Mike Reiss greets us from across the pond and notes the Patriots are scheduled to arrive Friday, with a presser scheduled following their 7 AM arrival.
• Paul Kenyon warns these Rams aren't the same 2-14 team they were last season.
• Mike Rodak notes Brandon Lloyd knows he missed some chances Sunday.
• Mike Rodak shares thoughts from Aaron Hernandez on the Patriots' offense and top quality of players on the team.
• Zuri Berry notes Julian Edelman is getting back into the swing of things, as he returned to action Sunday.
• Michael Whitmer notices Shane Vereen took advantage of his opportunity against the Jets.
• Mike Reiss notes rookie DE Jake Bequette earned practice player of the week honors, along with Julian Edelman, Marcus Forston, Justin Francis and Greg Salas.
• Mike Reiss points out how often the Patriots had Brady under center or in the shotgun through seven games.
• Mike Reiss catches us up with some former players who are now with other teams.
• Field Yates takes a look at how far the Patriots have traveled since the preseason.
• Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: Visanthe Shiancoe returned to practice Tuesday, and suited up in shells with the rest of the team yesterday; Julian Edelman returned against the Jets after missing three games with a hand injury; Only 15 players remain from the team's 2009 previous trip to London.
• Michael Vega Patriots Notebook: Patriots view London as a business trip; Rams coach Jeff Fisher took his team over earlier, arriving on Tuesday. Fisher was pleased with the energy his team brought to the field in their first practice; Sunday marked Devin McCourty's first start of the season at safety; Plus, injury and practice report updates.
• Mike Reiss updates the penalty watch, and notes the defensive holding infraction stood out last week.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Howard Ulman, AP (Yahoo! Sports) Patriots hoping for win before bye week.
• Staff Report (CBS Sports) NFL Preview: New England Patriots at St. Louis Rams in London.
• James Walker (ESPN) Week 7 knee-jerk reactions.
• Gil Brandt (NFL.com) Ranking the NFL's best linemen.
• NFL Total Access (NFL.com) Week 7 Kurt Warner's Top 5 quarterbacks. (3.38 min. video)
• Kerry J. Byrne (Cold Hard Football Facts) Week 7: 12 Storylines that should frighten football fans.
• Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) Which division is leading the way?
• Brian Billick (Fox Sports) London team a nice idea, won't work.
• Jack Bechta (Nat'l Football Post) How the NFL can expand abroad.
• Eric Edholm (Pro Football Weekly) Week eight primer.
• Peter Schrager (Fox Sports) Week 8 Cheat Sheet. Rams over Patriots 24-20.
• Experts (CBS Sports) Week 8 NFL picks. Eight of eight pick Pats to win.

VIEW FROM ST. LOUIS

• Jim Thomas (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) Rams see the sights but focus on business.
• Bryan Burwell (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) It's a shame that London trip is during re-birth.
• Nick Wagoner (StLouisRams.com) Rams adjusting well to London.
• AP Report (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) No home-field advantage for Rams in London.
• Jim Thomas (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) Amendola back in uniform.
• Nick Wagoner (StLouisRams.com) Amendola making progress.