New England Patriots Links 11/20/12 - Without Gronk it's Next Man Up Against Jets

TEAM TALK

• Patriots-Jets Tuesday Injury Report.
• Erik Scalavino reexamines some key moments from New England's 59-24 blowout win over Indy.
• Patriots record highest television rating of 2012 season.
• The New England Patriots signed second-year WR Kamar Aiken to the practice squad Monday.
• Conference Call Transcript: Bill Belichick.
• Patriots Today - Hernandez chats on Monday. (3.06 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Belichick talks TE depth. (1.15 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Talib's debut as a Patriot. (2.54 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Inside the winning locker room. (1.53 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Karen Guregian reports Rob Gronkowski underwent successful surgery on his broken left forearm yesterday morning. There were "no surprises".
• Gerry Callahan writes that it's 'next man up' for the Patriots without Gronk.
• Christopher Price sees an increased workload now for these four players Hernandez, Ridley, Lloyd and Edelman.
• Jeff Howe tells us how the Patriots will fill the absence of Rob Gronkowski.
• Doug Kyed says Bill Belichick will always use starters on Special Teams, so there's no use complaining about it.
• Ron Borges explains why he would never have used Gronkowski on ST like Belichick does; Some players are more important than others.
  
• Christopher Price writes the Patriots are ready to start living life without Rob Gronkowski.
• Mark Daniels says the injuries to Gronkowski and Hernandez validate the stockpiling of tight ends early in the season.
• Mike Reiss closes the book on Patriots-Colts with a few final thoughts after re-watching the game. McCourty looked like a safety playing safety, not a CB playing safety.
• Matt Chatham details all that went into Julian Edelman's punt return, and the credit he gives to his blockers and the work put in at practice.
• Shalise Manza Young reports Devin McCourty will stay at safety for the rest of the season.
• Tony Massarotti says the Patriots secondary improved against the Colts with a season-high 11 passes defended.
• Field Yates passes along some notes and observations after re-watching Sunday's game: First half and Second half.
• Mike Reiss looks at the snaps played by the skill-position players in the Pat's 59-24 win over the Colts, while analyzing what it means.
• Christopher Price presents the list of which offensive skill position players have had the most opportunities this season. Stevan Ridley no. 1.
• Christopher Price tracks who's been targeted the most in the passing game through so far. Wes Welker by 20.
• Mike Reiss takes look at the snaps played by Patriots defenders, noting Aqib Talib stepped right in with 67 of 78 snaps.
• Christopher Price tells us which Pats defenders have done the best job of getting after the QB so far this year. Ninkovich tops.
• Mike Reiss charts the positional groupings Sunday, noting a return to a more balanced attack.
• Mike Reiss updates base vs. sub defensive stats for Sunday.
• Tedy Bruschi posts the transcript of his weekly, day-after online chat.
• Kirk Minihane calls the Gronkowski injury a fluke and grades the Patriots in their Week 11 Report Card.
• Ron Borges issues his Week 11 Report Card.
• Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: Aaron Hernandez said he's "feeling pretty good" but won't commit to saying he'll play Thursday; Belichick explained why Gronkowski was on the PAT team Sunday, but it hasn't stopped the second-guessing; Pats had to fabricate an injury report yesterday as the team did not practice but is still required to issue the report.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Judy Battista (NY Times) Patriots have lost Gronkowski, but not their firepower.
• Staff Report (ESPN Stats & Information) Stats focus: What losing Gronk means.
• Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Belichick on Gronk injury: "Football players play football".
• James Walker (ESPN) Seven-step drop: Life without 'Gronk'.
• Ron Jaworski (ESPN) You don't replace Gronk. (1.18 min. video)
• Curtis Crabtree (ProFootballTalk) Chandler Jones' status uncertain with ankle injury.
• First Take (ESPN) Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless debate: Can Pats be last team standing? (9.45 min. video)
• Mike Garafolo (USA Today) Patriots knock upstart Colts down a peg with 59-24 rout.
• Judy Battista (NY Times) Colts show their youth; Patriots show their best.
• James Walker (ESPN) QBR: Brady and Sanchez shine.
• Kevin Fishbain (Pro Football Weekly) Patriots' stockpile of TEs to help fill void left by Gronk.
• James Walker (ESPN) AFC East Stock Watch.
• Kevin Fishbain (Pro Football Weekly) AFC East spin cycle: Three 4-6 teams looking up at Patriots.
• Brian Billick (Fox Sports) Week 11 Review: Anyone can win.

VIEW FROM NEW YORK

• Steve Serby (NY Post) Gronk injury shows this 'Chick for the birds.
• Mike Vorkunov (NJ Star-Ledger) Rex Ryan not sad to hear Rob Gronkowski will miss game vs. Jets.
• Brian Costello (NY Post) Ryan unusually tight-lipped for Pats game.
• Conor Orr (NJ Star-Ledger) Rex Ryan tones down talk as his team fights for survival.
• Mike Vaccaro (NY Post) For once, Jets make noise by keeping quiet.
• Manish Mehta (NY Daily News) Rex Ryan stays quiet this time with Patriots game looming on Thanksgiving night.
• Staff Report (NewYorkJets.com) Rex: Pats do a great job of attacking the ball.
• Gary Myers (NY Daily News) Bill Belichick losing 'genius' aura and Rob Gronkowski injury is just the latest example.