TEAM TALK
- Patriots-Saints Thursday injury report.
- Erik Scalavino tells us what happened Thursday at Gillette: Armond Armstead was observed heading to the practice fields.
- Conference Call transcript: Rob Ninkovich.
- Patriots Today - Report from Thursday's practice. (1.29 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Chris Jones makes his mark. (1.14 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Matchup of the week: McCourty vs. Graham. (3.46 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Brees, Saints flying high. (4.15 min. video)
- Locker Room Uncut - Gronk's update. (2.57 min. video)
- NFL Films (NFL.com) Preview: New Orleans Saints vs. New England Patriots. (3.02 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Tedy Bruschi & Mike Reiss break down Patriots-Saints: It all comes down to solid team defense this weekend.
- Christopher Price points out the major challenge in store for the offense, facing Rob Ryan's stout defense this Sunday.
- Paul Kenyon notes this is a bonus year in that the Patriots will work against a Ryan-coached defense three times instead of two.
- Matt Chatham explains why Jimmy Graham can't be categorized as a TE, and why his role must be identified by the defense and accounted for at each snap.
- The AP reports Drew Brees is a master of using his eyes to confuse defenders.
- Phil Perry says the Pats will be looking to limit the Saints in the red zone.
- Mike Reiss gleans the highlights from the Pats-Saints pressers and conference calls this week.
- Mike Petraglia believes it's time for Rob Gronkowski to just play already and come out of limbo.
- Jeff Howe reports Rob Ninkovich is happy about being a Patriot, but won't mind showing the Saints what they gave up when they let him go.
- Christopher Price reports Tony Corrente will work as referee for Sunday's game.
- Rich Levine tackles the non-stop stream of commercials during sporting events with a personal look at superstitions.
- Mike Reiss posts the transcript of his weekly online Pats chat.
- Mike Reiss charts the positional groupings utilized by the Patriots offense.
- Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: Rob Gronkowski still day-to-day with no comment about playing Sunday; Pats D in on high alert for a Saints' O-line that is susceptible to a good pass rush, as Drew Brees has already been sacked 13 times; rookie DL Armond Armstead worked out on a field next to the practice field yesterday, he is eligible to return as early as next week.
- Jim Lazar predicts the Pats receivers 'suddenly do catch the ball' and makes his Week 6 picks. Pats win 27-24.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Gronkowski hasn't been cleared yet.
- David Whitley (Fox Sports) Brady needs frustration to pass.
- Steve Rushin (SI) Rushin Index: All-time all-Tom team. Brady 4th in stupid waste-of-time list.
- Russell S. Baker (Cold Hard Football Facts) Matter of facts: Week 6 statistical onslaught.
- Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) Viewing tips for Week 6 games. Pats-Saints 'lower scoring than you expect'.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Most teams will be exempt from Hard Knocks requirement.
- Elliot Harrison (NFL.com) Week 6 predictions. Saints 30-24.
- NFL Live (ESPN) Countdown Daily prediction: NO-NE. (1.07 min. video) Only Herm picks Pats.
- Mike Florio and Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) PFT's Week six picks. Florio: Saints 31-21, Smith: Saints 27-21.
- Don Banks (SI) NFL Week 6 picks. Pats 30-27.
VIEW FROM NEW ORLEANS
- John Roach (Times-Picayune) The Saints' sky-high confidence.
- John DeShazier (NewOrleansSaints.com) New Orleans Saints respect New England Patriots’ formula.
- Staff Report (The Advocate) Saints again leave early for Pats game.
- Larry Holder (Times-Picayune) New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees, New England Patriots' Tom Brady square off in battle of elite quarterbacks.
- Guerry Smith (The Advocate) It’s all about time for Sean Payton and the Saints.
- Sheldon Mickles (The Advocate) Jimmy Graham, Drew Brees proving they work well together for Saints.
- Staff report (NewOrleansSaints.com) Jimmy Graham: "If Rob Gronkowski plays, I will be excited"
- Katherine Terrell (Times-Picayune) Saints' tackle Bryce Harris ready for his second start if needed vs. Patriots.
- Jeff Duncan (Times-Picayune) Decision to defer wasn't a toss-up for New Orleans Saints.