New England Patriots Links 9/13/12 - Belichick Brings Rookies Back to Reality; Defense is Having a Ball

Mike Reiss notes Bill Belichick took a reporter's question about the rookies as an opportunity to serve up some "humble pie".

"Are you kidding me? They've played one game," Belichick said, his tone suggesting that he appreciated the opportunity to knock Chandler Jones, Dont'a Hightower and Co. down a peg. "I don't think any rookie has all the answers after one game. I don't think any experienced coach has the answers after one game either. I mean, it's one game. Everybody needs to be coached, everybody needs to improve, there are a lot of things that everybody needs to do better, and I would put the rookies at the absolute top of that list. "Like not behind anybody. They would be No. 1. It's going to get a lot harder for them before it gets easier, I'll tell you that."

Karen Guregian sees the Patriots front seven starting to make waves, and they're having a blast.

Listening to Mayo, and even listening to Wilfork talk about the front seven last week, the two veterans speak glowingly about this group. Both of them are really enjoying what’s going on, and seeing how it’s all coming together.

"It’s fun playing with Spikes, Hightower, those guys up front. They love football," Mayo said. "That’s why I cherish every moment because these are football guys we’re out there with, not guys that are doing it just because they can. These are football guys, they love the game. . . . These guys want to be good. They want to get better. It’s always good when you have guys staying late, and guys getting in early. That shows how much they want to improve.

"It’s just about having that blue-collar mentality, going out there and trying to get better every day. We know we have a lot of improvement to make. That’s what we’re focused on."

TEAM TALK

• Patriots-Cardinals Wednesday Injury Report.
• Erik Scalavino notes the Cardinals' two most dangerous players, Larry Fitzgerald and Patrick Peterson, were on everyone's minds Wednesday at Gillette.
• Erik Scalavino tells us what happened at Wednesday's practice.
• Press Conference: Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.
• Conference Call: Rob Gronkowski.
• Patriots Today - Belichick Breakdown: Run game. (3.41 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Vereen returns to practice. (1.59 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Pats lend helping hands. (3.21 min. video)
• Locker Room Uncut - Ridley, Lloyd and more. (2.51 min. video)
• Patriots Playbook - John Rooke and Erik Scalavino preview the Pats home opener against the Arizona Cardinals, and more. (2 hour program)
• PFW in Progress - The PFW crew previews Pats-Cards. (2 hour program)
• Kerry J. Byrne - Cold Hard Football Facts Radio. (2 hour progam)

LOCAL LINKS

• Tom E. Curran finds that the secondary is on high alert this week with Larry Fitzgerald coming to town - and for good reason.
• Shalise Manza Young notes the Patriots DBs say Larry Fitzgerald can catch anything no matter how many defenders are on him.
• Paul Kenyon says Larry Fitzgerald will leave the Pats defense with little room for error.
• DJ Bean reports the Pats are preparing to face either John Skelton or Kevin Kolb.
• Christopher Price calls Aaron Hernandez the Patriots' flexible flyer.
• Jeff Howe reports Stevan Ridley was feeling the after effects from his 125-yard power game, but he said he wouldn't have it any other way.
• Mike Petraglia hears Stevan Ridley made sure to heap praise on the O-line when asked about his productive game on Sunday.
• Mark Farinella points to similarities between Curtis Martin's and Stevan Ridley's debuts, and notes how Bill Parcells' response was similar to Belichick's.
• Mike Reiss notes Marcus Cannon headlined a group of four honored as the Patriots' practice players of the week.
• Mike Reiss spotlights Tom Brady's response when he was asked about Wes Welker's reduced playing time and role in the offense.
• Mike Reiss shares some picked-up pieces from player interviews Wednesday at Gillette Stadium.
• Mike Reiss tracks the snaps Brady took out of the shotgun and breaks down the production.
• Mike Reiss breaks down the penalties from Week 1 and notes the Pats were flagged for just four penalties and all were on defense.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Jeremy Lundblad (ESPN Stats & Information) Stevan Ridley off and running. It's not just the 125 yards -- it's how he got them.
• Sound FX (NFL.com) A twin sense: The McCourty brothers face off against each other in Nashville in Week 1. (3.50 min. video)
• James Walker (ESPN) Hope and Concern: New England Patriots.
• James Walker (ESPN) Tom Brady: Wes Welker's role is 'huge'.
• Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Brady says Welker remains "a huge part of this offense."
• Will Brinson (CBS Sports) Bill Belichick says Larry Fitzgerald 'might end up as the best [WR] ever'.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) With next win, Belichick is eighth on all-time list.
• Barry Wilner (AP) Patriots on top of AP Pro32 power rankings.
• Russell S. Baxter (Cold Hard Football Facts) Week 2: 32 Teams, 32 Facts. Pats are a stunning 41-8 vs. NFC teams dating back to 2001 (including SBs)
• Kennedy Ross (Cold Hard Football Facts) Week 2 - AFC East: Five things to be aware of. Pats stay perfect at Gillette on opening day.
• Kerry J. Byrne (SI) Cold Hard Football Facts - Inside the numbers: Week 1.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) NFL says 105.9 million watched Week One games.
• Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Cardinals vets supporting Kolb, because they need him now.
• John Parolin (ESPN Stats & Information) Three-point stance: Arizona Cardinals. Three areas to watch on Sunday.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) PFT's Week 2 picks. Pats over Cardinals.

VIEW FROM ARIZONA

• Kent Somers (Arizona Republic) Arizona Cardinals face New England Patriots team ahead of tight ends trend.
• Darren Urban (AZCardinals.com) Tight end evolution.
• Paul Coro (Arizona Republic) Arizona Cardinals not ready to name quarterback Kevin Kolb starter.