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New England Patriots Links 1/11/13 - Logan Mankins Still 'Tough as a Tractor'

New England Patriots Daily News and Links for 1/11/13

By Marima

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Livestock-wrangler Logan Mankins is well-prepared to handle the Texans.
Livestock-wrangler Logan Mankins is well-prepared to handle the Texans.
Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

TEAM TALK

LOCAL LINKS

  • Jackie MacMullen writes a terrific piece on Logan Mankins, still as tractor-tough as ever in his eighth season.
  • Matt Chatham believes the Patriots are clearly best served with a two-armed Gronk.
  • Karen Guregian examines the Patriots vs. Texans matchups to see how this game will shake out.
  • Glen Farley says Tom Brady and Matt Schaub come into Sunday's game from opposite ends of the postseason spectrum.
  • Jeff Howe thinks the best recipe for a Patriots win is to quickly jump ahead to another sizeable advantage.
  • Field Yates reports that in preparing for the Texans, the Patriots' focus is on themselves - executing game plan and minimizing mistakes.
  • Tim Britton notes that the Patriots' quick tempo offense is still evolving.
  • Jeff Howe writes about how football and family saved Brandon Spikes from the bad side of life.
  • Shalise Manza Young notes three veteran Patriots are making their first playoff appearance this weekend: Brandon Lloyd, Aqib Talib and Trevor Scott.
  • Mike Reiss finds Aqib Talib is excited for his first playoff game.
  • Paul Kenyon reports Brandon Lloyd has spent his last ten January's relaxing and recovering, but is thrilled to get his first chance to play in the postseason.
  • John Powers notes Sebastian Vollmer is the first European-developed player ever drafted in the NFL.
  • Michael Whitmer Patriots Notebook: Houston DC Wade Phillips dismissed Wes Welker as "...not AJ. Green, not that big or a real athletic guy."; Phillips said he wants to play the running game and force the Patriots into throwing it; Belichick was confident his running backs could duplicate Arian Foster in practice to prepare the defense; Aqib Talib will be responsible for covering Andre Johnson Sunday.
  • Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: Daniel Fells believes the talent of Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski is still underestimated around the league; Aqib Talib has seen the intensity turn up in practice and in meetings; Yesterday's and today's practices will be a tad shorter which may be a sign that the coaching staff is confident with the team's progress through the bye week.
  • Jim Lazar fends off fears of revenge in Foxboro, saying the Pats can't be beat in this game, as he makes his Week 19 picks. Pats win 31-20.
  • Julian Benbow reports the lopsided loss back in December is what is driving J.J. Watt to do better vs. the Patriots.
  • Tim Britton finds that last year's Super Bowl loss still stings. Ya think?

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