Rumors

Pats should do whatever it takes to keep Pioli on payroll

<p><em>Let me say right here that I don&rsquo;t know what Pioli&rsquo;s going to do. As of last night, Pioli himself had yet to decide what he was going to do, or at least hadn&rsquo;t announced his decision. </em></p> <p><em>But I certainly know what I would do if I were the Patriots. Or the Browns. Or the Chiefs. </em></p> <p><em>I&rsquo;d do whatever it took to have Pioli on my payroll. </em></p> <p><em>From the Patriots&rsquo; standpoint, the reasons to retain him are obvious....</em></p>

Richard Seymour faces surgery

<p><em><span class="articleBegin"><font size="5">P</font></span>atriots defensive end Richard Seymour will undergo minor finger surgery Friday in Boston to fix a lingering issue that he played through all season, according to a source.</em></p> <p><em>Seymour is coming off a bounce-back season with the Pats in which he matched his career high with eight sacks. His success came on the heels of three injury-marred seasons that left some wondering if the five-time Pro Bowler was washed up....</em></p>

Scott Pioli talks with Kansas City

<p><em><span class="articleBegin"><font size="5">P</font></span>atriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli met with Chiefs owner Clark Hunt yesterday to interview for Kansas City&rsquo;s general manager job.</em></p> <p><em>It&rsquo;s unclear where the two met, though sources said it was not in Kansas City. The interview was Pioli&rsquo;s second in as many weeks, coming on the heels of a meeting with Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner in New York.</em></p> <p><em>Pioli is considered the hottest general manager on the market...</em></p>

Bruschi seeks return

<p><em>Tedy Bruschi signed a two-year contract last February, and as long as the Patriots want him back, the inside linebacker intends to honor that contract and return for a 14th season, according to a source with knowledge of Bruschi's thinking.</em></p> <p><em>The 35-year-old Bruschi missed the final three games of the 2008 season with an injury to the medial collateral ligament in his left knee. The source said Bruschi will not need surgery on the knee and that if the Patriots had made the playoffs and played a first-round game last week, Bruschi possibly could have suited up.</em></p>

Loss of Asante Samuel costly to Patriots

<p><em><span class="articleBegin"><font size="5">I</font></span>f you really want to know why your Patriots aren&rsquo;t in the playoffs, the reason was running down the sideline in Minneapolis on Sunday afternoon with a football in his arm.</em></p> <p><em>There, with pilfered pigskin in hand, galloped a familiar figure, Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel. With him was a pass thrown by the Vikings&rsquo; Tarvaris Jackson, one Samuel would return 44 yards for a touchdown that helped the Eagles advance to the divisional round of the playoffs and set a postseason record for most career interception returns for touchdowns. It was a pick that came courtesy of the Patriots business model.</em></p>

Moving parts

<p><em>This week&rsquo;s mailbag is jam-packed, with three hot topics:</em></p> <p><em></em></p> <ul> <li><em>1. Matt Cassel and the franchise tag. </em> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em></em></p> </li> <li><em>2. Scott Pioli and his role in the Patriots&rsquo; success. </em> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em></em></p> </li> <li><em>3. Areas on the roster that need improvement.</em></li> </ul> <p><em></em></p> <p><em>With plenty of ground to cover, we&rsquo;ll get right to the questions in our first official offseason &rsquo;bag.</em></p>

McDaniels may leave, but Pioli may stay, as musical chairs continue in New England

<p><em>It&rsquo;s looking more and more like the Patriots will need a new offensive coordinator soon. But they may not be in the market for a new vice-president of player personnel. </em></p> <p><em>Josh McDaniels, the Pats&rsquo; 32-year-old offensive coordinator, interviewed for the Denver Broncos&rsquo; vacant head-coaching job yesterday morning, and NFL.com is reporting he&rsquo;s the favorite to land the position. The Broncos&rsquo; owner, Pat Bowlen, reportedly sees in McDaniels many of the same attributes he saw in his two most successful hires, Dan Reeves and Mike Shanahan...</em></p>

Report: Franchise tag for Matt Cassel

<p><em><span class="articleBegin"><font size="5">T</font></span>he Patriots are preparing to franchise quarterback Matt Cassel next month rather than let him walk away in free agency, according to a published report.</em></p> <p><em>Following up on a report in the National Football Post, ESPN reported yesterday that the Pats will apply the tag to Cassel for a little more than $14 million. Franchising Cassel will give the Patriots some protection in the event starting quarterback Tom Brady is not ready to go because of knee surgery....</em></p>

Browns interview Patriots' McDaniels

<p><em>Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels interviewed yesterday for the Cleveland Browns' head coaching vacancy, and is scheduled to interview with the Denver Broncos tomorrow, according to an NFL source.</em></p> <p><em>Former Jets coach Eric Mangini, Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, and Browns defensive coordinator Mel Tucker have also met with Browns owner Randy Lerner, and Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is expected to interview today....</em></p>

Broncos showing interest

<p><em>Moving quickly to assemble candidates to replace fired head coach Mike Shanahan, the Denver Broncos are expected to formally request permission to interview Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, according to an NFL source.</em></p> <p><em>The 32-year-old McDaniels, considered one of the league's up-and-coming coaches, just concluded his eighth NFL season, all with the Patriots. In addition to coordinating the offense, he also worked with the quarterbacks.</em></p>

Patriots season-end report card

<p><em><span class="articleBegin"><font size="5">T</font></span>hey are what they are, which was a win short of making the playoffs, but to do that the Patriots made their opponents sweat.</em></p> <p><em>Considering all the injuries they had to overcome, winning 11 games was a remarkable performance, although not one without some poor individual performances that cannot be ignored. </em></p> <p><em>The first came in the front office when the brain trust couldn&rsquo;t find any one to adequately replace departed Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel. That failure, frankly, cost the team the playoffs because if you look back at the five losses which one wasn&rsquo;t a result of lousy pass coverage at critical moments?</em></p>

Issues cloud Pats’ future

<p><em>For a team coming off an 11-win season, it seems the Patriots have more questions than answers at the moment. <br /><br />How is Tom Brady&rsquo;s left knee coming along? Will Matt Cassel be playing in New England or for a new team next season? Is Scott Pioli staying or going? Ditto for Josh McDaniels. </em></p> <p><em>Here&rsquo;s a look at all four situations, listed in the order they figure to be resolved...</em></p> <p>Click the link to read on!</p>

With Patriots out, it's away Wii go

<p><em>Thank goodness for the Wii.</em></p> <p><em>After the Jets bungled away their season Sunday, ensuring the Patriots' fate, I was reduced to a catatonic state in my recliner, wondering what I could do to kill the time until Mel Kiper Day(s) - a.k.a. the NFL draft, the most-hyped television event of the year (not counting The Masters, a tradition unlike any other).</em></p> <p><em>&quot;Dad, can we play the Wii?&quot; my children asked in unison....</em></p> <p><em>&quot;Yeah. Do whatever you want,&quot; I said. &quot;The Jets lost. The Ravens lost. I'm lost.&quot;</em></p>

Mayo wins Defensive Rookie award

<em>Jerod Mayo firmly answered everyone who criticized the Patriots for taking him with the 10th pick in April's draft by winning The Associated Press 2008 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.</em> <p><em>Mayo was a nearly unanimous choice, earning 49 of 50 votes Wednesday from a nationwide panel of sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league. He was the outstanding performer on a linebacking corps that often struggled during New England's 11-5 season, leading the team with 137 tackles.</em></p>

Check, please, on the roster

<em>As the Patriots transition from the regular season to the team-building season (a.k.a. the offseason), their most pressing decision is what to do with quarterback Matt Cassel.</em> <p><em>Back on Sept. 7, when Cassel stepped in for the injured Tom Brady on the 16th offensive play of the season, few could have predicted it would come to this.</em></p> <p><em>But Cassel, having played a significant role in directing the Patriots to an 11-5 record, is now in an enviable position...</em></p>

Safety James Sanders may be free

<em>The Patriots really are going to feel the sting of free agency after next year, when Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork and Mike Vrabel, among others, could hit the market.</em> <p><em>Even though the team&rsquo;s current free agent class isn&rsquo;t nearly that impactful, it does include one starter beyond quarterback Matt Cassel - safety James Sanders.</em></p>

What’s next for Matt Cassel?

<em>It is the $12 million question, and may the debate now begin in earnest: What the heck are the Patriots going to do with Matt Cassel?</em> <p><em>Under normal circumstances, they&rsquo;d probably say sayonara to the backup who emerged from Tom Brady&rsquo;s shadow and forged a borderline Pro Bowl season.</em></p> <p><em>But with questions persisting over the health of Brady&rsquo;s surgically repaired left knee, the Patriots find themselves in a bind....</em></p>

Rest-case scenario

<em>The reality of sitting out the playoffs set in for the Patriots yesterday. Players cleaned out their lockers at Gillette Stadium, some carrying trash bags full of belongings and autographed jerseys for teammates, signing off on a season that ended sooner than expected.</em> <p><em>For the first time since 2002, the Patriots shut down shop before New Year's Day.</em></p> <p><em>&quot;I think it's tough,&quot; said linebacker Mike Vrabel. &quot;You try to think that it's a pretty positive ending to a season, a good finish - you finish 11-5 - and then you realize that you're cleaning your locker out.</em></p>

Fifth quarter for Patriots

<em>The Patriots are one year removed from a 16-0 regular season and an appearance in the Super Bowl. They just completed an 11-5 campaign, albeit one that didn&rsquo;t land them a postseason berth.</em> <p><em>Even with that measure of success, the team still faces plenty of questions this offseason.</em></p> <p><em>As coach Bill Belichick pointed out yesterday, with no playoff games to prepare for the organization has more time than usual to come up with the answers.</em></p>

Loyal Patriots' fans feel left out in the cold

<p><em>...&nbsp;2008...was not the Patriots' year. Despite winning an impressive 11 games, the Patriots were narrowly denied a playoff berth Sunday for the first time since 2002.</em></p> <p><em>The disappointing end to a rollercoaster season left many fans struggling to find their equilibrium yesterday, torn between anger and acceptance as they shopped, returned gifts, or went back to work downtown after a holiday break.</em></p> <p><em>&quot;When you put your fate in the hands in the football gods, it can go either way,&quot; said Bernie Wiley, 62, from Sharon....</em></p>

Differing stories on Tom Brady don’t compute

<em>Are you ready for some football drama?</em> <p><em>If so, keep an eye on your New England Patriots&nbsp;during their now-active postseason.</em></p> <p><em>What we have here is a case of dueling news stories involving the health of quarterback Tom Brady. It began with former Pats beat reporter Tom Curran, now in the employ of NBCSports.com, writing that Brady&rsquo;s recovery from his season-ending left knee injury is &ldquo;well behind schedule...&rdquo; </em> <div style="DISPLAY: none; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px"><iframe marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-01-0VIaSjnOLg.gif?tags=ADSDAQ.COMPUTERSELECTRONICS.NETWORKSECURITY,501736,1054,2556,BOST1" frameborder="0" width="0" scrolling="no" height="0" allowtransparency="allowtransparency"></iframe><em></em></div> </p> <p><em>And then Peter King, reporting for NBC&rsquo;s &ldquo;Football Night in America,&rdquo; put it out there that his sources tell him Brady is actually ahead of schedule... </em></p>

Matt Cassel beats odds

<em>Looking back, the odds are astronomical. What&rsquo;s the chance one franchise could see two backup quarterbacks rise from obscurity to stardom?</em> <p><em>That&rsquo;s right, stardom. Tom Brady&rsquo;s resume speaks for itself, but after Matt Cassel&rsquo;s 2008 season, it&rsquo;s no stretch to affix that celestial descriptor to his name, as well.</em></p> <p><em>Cassel&rsquo;s Pats won their 11th game yesterday, shutting out the Bills 13-0 in a wind tunnel at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Cassel was only asked to throw eight passes because of the elements, but it hardly mattered. He had long ago earned his keep.</em></p>

Report: Tom Brady’s rehab well behind schedule

<em>Injured Patriots quarterback Tom Brady&nbsp; remains &ldquo;well behind schedule&rdquo; in his recovery from surgery on the torn ACL and MCL in his left knee, according to a report yesterday on NBCSports.com.</em> <p><em>Although the staph infection that enveloped Brady&rsquo;s knee post-surgery apparently is clear following a six-week course of IV-antibiotics, the report stated that his ACL and MCL are still &ldquo;loose.&rdquo; There&rsquo;s also scar tissue that is limiting mobility, as reported previously by the Herald.</em></p>

Stephen Gostkowski, kicking game shines

<em>Stephen Gostkowski and Chris Hanson were unanimous in their assessments that the wild wind conditions inside Ralph Wilson Stadium yesterday were the worst they&rsquo;ve ever played in.</em> <p><em>The Patriots kicker and punter dealt with gusts reaching 55 mph and sustained winds of 35 mph, making the kicking game an adventure that bordered on absurd.</em></p> <p><em>And all things considered, Gostkowski and Hanson performed admirably. </em></p>

Jarvis Green fills large void

<em>Jarvis Green didn&rsquo;t deem his best game of the season worth talking about, but Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork was more than willing to expound upon the performance of his linemate following yesterday&rsquo;s 13-0 win in Buffalo.</em> <p><em>&ldquo;He showed up big time for us,&rdquo; Wilfork said after Green finished with five tackles and two sacks. &ldquo;I was kidding with him, telling him I think he had to share one of the sacks with me because I actually touched the quarterback, but he&rsquo;s one of the best pass rushers we have around here. For him to go out and have a game like that, man, that&rsquo;s what we look for.&rdquo;</em></p>

Shut out

<em>Last season, the Patriots made history in their regular-season finale, becoming the first team to go 16-0. Yesterday, they made history once again with a regular-season-closing conquest, only this time it was of the unfortunate and disappointing kind.</em> <div id="articleEmbed" style="DISPLAY: block"> <div class="embed" id="relatedContent"> <div class="relatedBox" style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px"><em></em></div> <div class="relatedBox" style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px"><em>The Patriots are out of the playoffs despite an 11-5 season, becoming the first team since the NFL switched to a six-playoff-spot-per-conference setup in 1990 to miss the postseason with 11 wins and only the second team since the advent of the 16-game schedule in 1978 to get 11 wins and miss the playoffs....</em></div> </div> </div>

Not enough -- but they gave plenty

<em>OK, 11-5 wasn't enough, but after what the New England Patriots did this season, and especially in the final month, there is no reason for anyone to respect and/or love this team one iota less than if it had gone 16-0.</em> <div id="articleEmbed" style="DISPLAY: block"> <div class="embed" id="relatedContent"> <div class="relatedBox" style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px"><em></em></div> <div class="relatedBox" style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px"><em>Never forget what happened to Tom Brady in Week 1. Never forget that this team was 7-5 with absolutely no margin for error in December. The Patriots needed help from either the Jets or Jaguars yesterday, and they did not get it. </em></div> <div class="relatedBox" style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px"><em></em></div> <div class="relatedBox" style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px"><em>This leaves the Patriots as the first team in the 12-team playoff era to go 11-5 and not make the playoffs. They will not whine, and you should not complain.</em></div> </div> </div>

Vrabel labeled a throwback

<em>At 39 years old, the senior presence in the Patriots' locker room, linebacker Junior Seau realizes that some of the things he says fly over the heads of his 21- and 22-year-old teammates.</em> <p><em>One recent example came when Seau, lauding the all-around work of Mike Vrabel, compared him with Broncos great Karl Mecklenburg.</em></p> <p><em>&quot;A lot of the kids don't know who that was,&quot; Seau chuckled. &quot;But it tickles [Vrabel].&quot;</em></p>

Matt Light tackles playing in pain

<em>Matt Light didn&rsquo;t want any credit for playing in Sunday&rsquo;s game against Arizona with a partially separated right shoulder he suffered the week prior against Oakland.</em> <p><em>The way the Patriots<font color="#888888">&nbsp;</font> left tackle looks at it, he&rsquo;s a football player and he&rsquo;s not the only one playing a little banged-up. There was no question in his mind about suiting up. He was going to play. </em></p> <p><em>&ldquo;A big point last week was just being mentally prepared and being ready to go,&rdquo; he said.</em></p>

Richard Seymour could leave Patriots even more shorthanded

<em>The Patriots have had to deal with season-ending injuries to Tom Brady, Laurence Maroney, Rodney Harrison, Adalius Thomas and a whole cast of others, leaving many to wonder when the body count finally will reach a breaking point.</em> <p><em>It just might be this weekend in Buffalo, where five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Richard Seymour could be out with a lower back injury. Seymour was not at the team&rsquo;s practice yesterday, leaving his status for Sunday&rsquo;s do-or-die game against the Bills in question.</em></p>

Patriots' offense is piling up some impressive stats

<em>It may not be seem as prolific and explosive as last year&rsquo;s record-setting offense, with Tom Brady and Randy Moss providing highlight-worthy touchdown hookups nearly every week, but this year&rsquo;s version of the New England Patriots isn&rsquo;t too shabby. </em> <p><em>Especially in recent weeks, as the Patriots have scored a total of 120 points against Seattle, Oakland and Arizona.</em> </p>

Playoff watch comes to a head

<p><em>Fortunately, such clicker control doesn't apply to NFL fans or the writers covering the league, because this Sunday is shaping up as a six-hour slice of scoreboard-watching heaven: Patriots at Bills at 1 p.m., followed by Dolphins at Jets, and Jaguars at Ravens, both at 4:15 p.m.</em></p> <p><em>The Patriots must win to have a chance to qualify for the playoffs, then hope for help in the form of a loss by the Dolphins or Ravens.</em></p>

Patriots must win first, then wait to learn postseason fate

<p><em><span class="articleBegin"><font size="5">T</font></span>he Patriots will have to wait to learn their fate on Sunday.</em></p> <p><em>The NFL announced yesterday that both the Jets-Dolphins and Ravens-Jaguars games have been moved to 4:15 p.m. The Pats play the Bills at 1 p.m., and assuming they win, they won&rsquo;t know their postseason status until about three hours after they finish up at Buffalo.</em></p> <p><em>The Patriots need the Dolphins and/or Ravens to lose - or the Dolphins and Jets to tie - if they&rsquo;re to reach the playoffs for the sixth straight year.</em> </p>

For Pats, playoffs are spelled J-E-T-S

<em>In a league of never-ending story lines, the final chapter has brought us to this: Bill Belichick likely needs the help of Eric Mangini to get into the playoffs.</em> <p><em>One team can thoroughly wipe out another, 47-7, and the loser is the one guaranteed a playoff spot despite one of the most disgraceful performances in the history of professional sports. </em></p> <p><em>The losing team's backup quarterback is a Heisman Trophy winner while the winning team's starter was his collegiate backup, offering further proof of Belichick&rsquo;s longstanding theory that all that matters is the moment before you and the task at hand.</em></p> <p><em>There is simply no way of knowing what will come next.</em></p>

Patriots Report Card

<p><em><span class="articleBegin"><font size="5">A</font></span>fter Sunday it is unclear if the Arizona Cardinals would qualify for a BCS postseason berth, let alone one in the NFL playoffs.</em></p> <p><em>Y</em><em>et such are the vagaries of pro football that the limp-winged Cards have a home game locked up while the team that embarrassed them Sunday, 47-7, is in need of reinforcements in the persons of the Jaguars and/or The Hated Jets to get in.</em></p> <p><em>There is no fairness in this, but then there was no fairness for the Cardinals once the snow started falling and the frigid air at Gillette Stadium hit them. That came even before the Patriots did, although the latter didn&rsquo;t waste any time getting started.</em></p>

Switch produced power

<em>When the Patriots realized late last week that the weather was going to turn nasty for Sunday's 47-7 win over the Arizona Cardinals, the team decided to turn to its power running game, which featured a heavy dose of tight end Benjamin Watson and guard/center Russ Hochstein being used as a tight end and a fullback.</em> <p><em>The result was that the Patriots plowed through the Cardinals for 183 yards on the ground on 42 carries and produced a pair of touchdowns, the first of which came out of a three-tight end set and the second with two tight ends and Hochstein lined up at fullback.</em></p>

For Patriots, it’s up to Brett Favre again

<p><em><span class="articleBegin"><font size="5">S</font></span>ix years later, the Patriots once again are counting on Brett Favre.</em></p> <p><em>Favre owes them, because he&rsquo;s 0-for-1 at answering their prayers.</em></p> <p><em>The Patriots haven&rsquo;t needed help to reach the postseason since 2002. They didn&rsquo;t get it then thanks to Favre&rsquo;s Packers, who were crushed, 42-17, by the Jets in a game that gave New York the AFC East title and ensured the Patriots would not defend their Super Bowl title.</em></p> <p><em>The Pats, after all, find themselves in a similar situation. They must beat the Bills on Sunday at 1 p.m., then wait three hours for a Jets win and/or a Ravens loss...</em></p>

Root canal

<p><em>National Football League playoff scenarios create some unusual allies, but no alliance is more awkward and unexpected than the Patriots and their fans having to root for their most reviled rival, the New York Jets.</em></p> <p><em>If the Dolphins beat the Jets, then the only way the Patriots can get in is via the second wild-card spot - Indianapolis already has clinched one of the berths - and that would require Baltimore to lose at home to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jets are really the Patriots' best postseason hope ....</em></p>

Snow problem

<em>Think Patriots running backs Sammy Morris and LaMont Jordan were excited to get out and play in the snow yesterday? <br /><br />The pair practiced Friday, during the first storm of the weekend, in shorts and T-shirts. <br /><br />&ldquo;We were the only two idiots out there in shorts, running plays,&rdquo; Morris said with a laugh, &ldquo;really just trying to overcome the mental aspect of the conditions.&rdquo; <br /><br />The Patriots prepared for yesterday&rsquo;s must-win game against the Cardinals &mdash; which was played in sub-freezing temperatures, snow, then sleet, then rain &mdash; by practicing outside in similar elements all week.</em> <br /><br /><br />

A hungry team still needs helping

<p><em>The Patriots annihilated the Arizona Cardinals by a not-as-close-as-the-score-indicated 47-7 score yesterday, and now they're going to be 11-5, and 11-5 has gotten every team but the 1985 Broncos into the tournament. And no 11-5 team has missed postseason play since the league went to the current 12-team format in 1990.</em></p> <p><em>But this time 11-5 may not be enough. As well as they are playing, the Patriots enter the final week of the 2008 season just wishin' and hopin'. They need help, or they're going home when that conquest of the Bills is in the books.</em></p>

Best and Worst of the Patriots/ Cardinal game

In this piece, Ron Borges of the Boston Herald has his &quot;Best and Worst&quot; from yesterday's Pats game. Included in this often humorous game review is; <p><em>WORST PLAYOFF TEAM IN HISTORY: If it&rsquo;s not the Arizona Cardinals, prove it. They certainly made a strong case for themselves yesterday - by the end of the first quarter.</em></p> <p><em>BEST USE OF BAD WEATHER: The </em><em>Patriots</em><em> offense, which hammered the chilled Arizonans in their first two drives for touchdowns.</em></p>

Richard Seymour injures back

<em>The Patriots didn&rsquo;t escape yesterday&rsquo;s 47-7 rout of the Cardinals unscathed, as defensive lineman Richard Seymour left the game with an injury late in the first half.</em> <p><em>Sources close to Seymour said he suffered a lower back injury that left him in considerable pain following the game. Sources also said he is doubtful for Sunday&rsquo;s crucial finale in Buffalo.</em></p> <p><em>Seymour suffered the injury with 1:31 to go in the half when he was hit from behind as he was rushing Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner.</em></p>

Patriots pummel Cardinals to keep hope alive

<p><em><span class="articleBegin"><font size="5">F</font></span>OXBORO - For the Patriots, an 11-win season could still wind up a bust in terms of making the playoffs.</em></p> <p><em>The door, however, remains ajar.</em></p> <p><em>After taking care of business on their own end, thoroughly dismantling the hapless Arizona Cardinals, 47-7, in the snow at Gillette Stadium, the Pats got some much-needed help from the Seattle Seahawks, who took out the New York Jets. <script language="JavaScript1.1" src="http://oascentral.bostonherald.com/RealMedia/ads/adstream_jx.ads/bh.heraldinteractive.com/sports/football/patriots/article@Top,Right,Middle,Middle1,Bottom!Middle" type="text/javascript"></script> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://a.collective-media.net/adj/cm.bostonherald/;sz=300x250;click0=http://oascentral.bostonherald.com/RealMedia/ads/click_lx.ads/bh.heraldinteractive.com/sports/football/patriots/article/L57/1345517746/Middle/BostonHerald/CollectiveMediaRON300x250Oct2007/CollectiveMediaRON300x250Jan08.html/3056364467456b6d315a45414367664e?;ord=1345517746" type="text/javascript"></script> <noscript></noscript> <script language="javascript" type="text/javascript">document.write('<scr'+'ipt language="javascript" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/cm.bostonherald/c_nfl;net=cm;u=0a189a5c_20582_27925916,10de3ab021e63ec,nfl,cm.biz1-cm.dating-cm.expats-cm.basketb_M-cm.basketb_L-cm.biz_M-cm.biz_L-cm.dating_M-cm.dating_L-cm.educat_L-cm.games_L-cm.holid_L-cm.jobs_L-cm.relig_L-cm.sports_L-cm.tech_L-cm.trav_L-cm.fit_L-cm.nfl_M-cm.nfl_L-cm.golf_L-cm.college_foot_L-cm.adj_rate_mortgage_L-cm.mortgage_L-cm.baseball_M-cm.baseball_L-cm.other_R;;sz=300x250;ord1=358750;contx=nfl;btg=cm.biz1;btg=cm.dating;btg=cm.expats;btg=cm.basketb_M;btg=cm.basketb_L;btg=cm.biz_M;btg=cm.biz_L;btg=cm.dating_M;btg=cm.dating_L;btg=cm.educat_L;btg=cm.games_L;btg=cm.holid_L;btg=cm.jobs_L;btg=cm.relig_L;btg=cm.sports_L;btg=cm.tech_L;btg=cm.trav_L;btg=cm.fit_L;btg=cm.nfl_M;btg=cm.nfl_L;btg=cm.golf_L;btg=cm.college_foot_L;btg=cm.adj_rate_mortgage_L;btg=cm.mortgage_L;btg=cm.baseball_M;btg=cm.baseball_L;btg=cm.other_R;?"></scr'+'ipt>');</script> <script language="javascript" src="http://a.collective-media.net/cmadj/cm.bostonherald/;sz=300x250;click0=http://oascentral.bostonherald.com/RealMedia/ads/click_lx.ads/bh.heraldinteractive.com/sports/football/patriots/article/L57/1345517746/Middle/BostonHerald/CollectiveMediaRON300x250Oct2007/CollectiveMediaRON300x250Jan08.html/3056364467456b6d315a45414367664e;ord1=358750;cmpgurl=http%253A//www.bostonherald.com/sports/football/patriots/view/2008_12_21_Cassel__defense_lead_Pats_to_47-7_rout_of_Cards/?" type="text/javascript"></script> <script language="Javascript" type="text/javascript">createAndAttachAd("0a189a5c_20582_27925916", "http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/cm.bostonherald/c_nfl;net=cm;u=0a189a5c_20582_27925916,10de3ab021e63ec,nfl,cm.biz1-cm.dating-cm.expats-cm.basketb_M-cm.basketb_L-cm.biz_M-cm.biz_L-cm.dating_M-cm.dating_L-cm.educat_L-cm.games_L-cm.holid_L-cm.jobs_L-cm.relig_L-cm.sports_L-cm.tech_L-cm.trav_L-cm.fit_L-cm.nfl_M-cm.nfl_L-cm.golf_L-cm.college_foot_L-cm.adj_rate_mortgage_L-cm.mortgage_L-cm.baseball_M-cm.baseball_L-cm.other_R;;sz=300x250;ord1=358750;contx=nfl;btg=cm.biz1;btg=cm.dating;btg=cm.expats;btg=cm.basketb_M;btg=cm.basketb_L;btg=cm.biz_M;btg=cm.biz_L;btg=cm.dating_M;btg=cm.dating_L;btg=cm.educat_L;btg=cm.games_L;btg=cm.holid_L;btg=cm.jobs_L;btg=cm.relig_L;btg=cm.sports_L;btg=cm.tech_L;btg=cm.trav_L;btg=cm.fit_L;btg=cm.nfl_M;btg=cm.nfl_L;btg=cm.golf_L;btg=cm.college_foot_L;btg=cm.adj_rate_mortgage_L;btg=cm.mortgage_L;btg=cm.baseball_M;btg=cm.baseball_L;btg=cm.other_R;?","300","250");</script> <script language="javascript" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/cm.bostonherald/c_nfl;net=cm;u=0a189a5c_20582_27925916,10de3ab021e63ec,nfl,cm.biz1-cm.dating-cm.expats-cm.basketb_M-cm.basketb_L-cm.biz_M-cm.biz_L-cm.dating_M-cm.dating_L-cm.educat_L-cm.games_L-cm.holid_L-cm.jobs_L-cm.relig_L-cm.sports_L-cm.tech_L-cm.trav_L-cm.fit_L-cm.nfl_M-cm.nfl_L-cm.golf_L-cm.college_foot_L-cm.adj_rate_mortgage_L-cm.mortgage_L-cm.baseball_M-cm.baseball_L-cm.other_R;;sz=300x250;ord1=358750;contx=nfl;btg=cm.biz1;btg=cm.dating;btg=cm.expats;btg=cm.basketb_M;btg=cm.basketb_L;btg=cm.biz_M;btg=cm.biz_L;btg=cm.dating_M;btg=cm.dating_L;btg=cm.educat_L;btg=cm.games_L;btg=cm.holid_L;btg=cm.jobs_L;btg=cm.relig_L;btg=cm.sports_L;btg=cm.tech_L;btg=cm.trav_L;btg=cm.fit_L;btg=cm.nfl_M;btg=cm.nfl_L;btg=cm.golf_L;btg=cm.college_foot_L;btg=cm.adj_rate_mortgage_L;btg=cm.mortgage_L;btg=cm.baseball_M;btg=cm.baseball_L;btg=cm.other_R;?" type="text/javascript"></script> </em></p>

Plowing ahead

<p><em>'Tis the season for giving, and the Arizona Cardinals gave the Patriots exactly what they needed yesterday, a gift-wrapped win at wintry Gillette Stadium. </em></p> <p><em>But the Baltimore Ravens and the Miami Dolphins are still playing the role of Gridiron Grinches who are trying to steal the Patriots' place in the postseason.</em></p> <div id="articleEmbed" style="DISPLAY: block"> <div class="embed" id="relatedContent"> <div class="relatedBox" style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px"><em>Luckily,&nbsp;the Patriots got a little more holiday cheer from an unlikely source, the New York Jets. While the Patriots razed Arizona, 47-7, yesterday in snowy Foxborough, the J-E-T-S suffered a huge L-O-S-S to the Seahawks...</em></div> </div> </div>

Matt Cassel felt team’s vibe

<p><em><span class="articleBegin"><font size="5">F</font></span>OXBORO - Some teammates are still in a bit of awe at how Matt Cassel pulled himself together following the unexpected death of his father last week and produce a career game against the Oakland Raiders.</em></p> <p><em>Cassel never wavered. He never broke down. He just went out and methodically took apart the Raiders defense, throwing four touchdown passes.</em></p> <p><em>The wear of a grueling week, however, was visible in Cassel&rsquo;s eyes yesterday.</em></p>

On-job training for D-line subs

<p><em>Say this about the Patriots&rsquo; defensive linemen &ndash; at least most of them are still around.</em></p> <p><em>The Patriots&rsquo; season-ending injured reserve list features five linebackers (including Adalius Thomas and Pierre Woods), four defensive backs (including Rodney Harrison and Terrence Wheatley) and only one D-lineman &ndash; reserve Kenny Smith, who was a long shot to make the roster when he was felled in August.</em></p> <p><em>Relatively good health doesn&rsquo;t necessarily mean perfect attendance, though.</em> </p>

Beefed-up ball security essential to victory over Cardinals

<p><em><span class="articleBegin"><font size="5">F</font></span>OXBORO - With bad weather expected for Sunday&rsquo;s game against Arizona, the Patriots [team stats] have put an emphasis on ball security during practice this week.</em></p> <p><em>It would be a priority regardless, as the Cardinals lead the NFL with 16 fumble recoveries. The Pats, meanwhile, have lost 10 through 14 games.</em></p> <p><em>&ldquo;When they get turnovers, they win. When they don&rsquo;t, they lose,&rdquo; guard Logan Mankins [stats] said. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s a big factor for us, taking care of the ball.&rdquo;</em></p>

Honorable mention: Cassel gave Patriots his all

<em>Matt Cassel knew what his father would have wanted him to do.</em> <p><em>That's why the Patriots quarterback played last Sunday, leading them to a 49-26 victory over the Raiders, a mere five days after learning of the death of his father, Greg. Cassel's career-high four touchdown passes were a bonus. He had honored his father's memory simply by suiting up.</em></p> <p><em>That was his intention all along, said Cassel yesterday.</em></p>

Light's status remains question

<em>Left tackle Matt Light, who injured his right shoulder in last Sunday's victory over the Raiders, did not practice yesterday as the Patriots began preparations to face the Arizona Cardinals. Light's injury was not initially diagnosed as season-ending, but his availability for Sunday's game remains in question.</em> <p><em>Meanwhile, second-year player Mark LeVoir - the top backup to Light - was limited with an ankle injury...</em></p>

After being a sub, Wilhite starting to get it

<em>Rookie cornerback Jonathan Wilhite was targeted and beaten, but now he's determined to rise to a new level.</em> <p><em>Facing arguably the best competition of his young career in early November, he was zapped by one of the game's best, Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. Wilhite had lined up in the slot opposite receiver Anthony Gonzalez, and at the snap Gonzalez and Colts receiver Marvin Harrison ran to the same spot, creating a traffic jam.</em></p> <p><em>The mistake led to a dip in playing time in ensuing weeks, but now Wilhite's back - and with a promotion.</em></p>

Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald are dynamic duo in the desert

<p><em><span class="articleBegin"><font size="5">T</font></span>he NFL hasn&rsquo;t seen a receiver pairing like Arizona&rsquo;s Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald since the days of Randy Moss and Cris Carter a decade ago in Minnesota. The two are on pace to catch more than 100 balls each this season for the second time (they also did it in 2005), and will be of principle concern when the Cardinals visit Foxboro this weekend. Here&rsquo;s a look at the dynamic duo...</em></p> <p>Click the link to read on!</p>

Against Kurt Warner, Patriots need some extra heat

<em>This season, not many opponents have been able to mess with Kurt Warner. Not many opponents have been able to effectively rush the Arizona quarterback, get under his skin, and disrupt the Cardinals&rsquo; all-world passing game.</em> <p><em>...not many other NFL defenses have ruffled the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback and two-time league MVP, as Warner has been sacked just 24 times this season and allowed to operate with his usual precision.</em></p> <p><em>As such, the Cardinals boast the NFL&rsquo;s second-ranked offense in passing yardage (299 per game). Their strength looms like a guillotine over the Patriots&rsquo; chief weakness: a soft secondary.</em></p>

Meriweather: Safety lock

<p><em>When starting safety Rodney Harrison suffered a season-ending thigh injury Oct. 20 against the Denver Broncos, the question was if Brandon Meriweather could fill the void.</em></p> <p><em>It turns out the 2007 first-round draft choice has filled it to the rim.</em></p> <p><em>In a statistic that reflects how Meriweather has become a steadying presence in the Patriots' secondary, he hasn't just started all eight games since Harrison's injury, he has played every snap, a string of 493 plays (including penalties).</em></p>

Brady mum on progress

<em>Patriots quarterback Tom Brady patted the football, cocked his right arm, then delivered a short strike for a completion. He only wished he were on the Gillette Stadium playing field.</em> <p><em>Brady was a surprise guest at the annual Patriots' Salvation Army Holiday Party last night at Gillette Stadium, making a rare public appearance since severely injuring his left knee in the Patriots' season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.</em></p>

Middle-schooler tackles the halls with giant pal

<p><em><span class="articleBegin"><font size="5">M</font></span>iddle-schoolers are hard to impress, but 13-year-old Justin Cullity of Whitman Middle School scored points yesterday after showing up to class with a Patriots&nbsp; lineman.</em></p> <p><em>Justin was one of 34 kids to participate in the National Football League&rsquo;s &ldquo;Take a Player to School&rdquo; contest, hitching a ride to class with Patriots defensive lineman Ty Warren, 27, who stuck around to teach the seventh-grader&rsquo;s hour-long gym class.</em></p>

Tom Brady stands by team

<em>Tom Brady made eye contact with his receiver, motioned deep, and unleashed a perfect spiral.</em> <p><em>Thirty feet away, the ball dropped over the left shoulder and into the hands of its intended target, right on the money. Fans at Gillette Stadium burst into applause.</em></p> <p><em>The receiver wasn&rsquo;t Randy Moss or Wes Welker, but 10-year-old Abismael Vargas of Providence. It was Brady&rsquo;s first public completion since September, and it would have to do for the fans in attendance at last night&rsquo;s Salvation Army Holiday Party.</em></p>

Welker, Gostkowski are the only Patriots selected for Pro Bowl

<p><em>What a difference a year makes. </em></p> <p><em>The 9-5 New England Patriots, who rode their undefeated regular-season record to eight Pro Bowl selections last year, were almost totally overlooked on the 2009 Pro Bowl roster, earning only two spots: wide receiver Wes Welker, as a reserve, and Stephen Gostkowski, as the kicker. </em></p> <p><em>By contrast, the Patriots&rsquo; opponent on Sunday, the 8-6 Arizona Cardinals, had five players selected... The Patriots&rsquo; AFC East rivals, the New York Jets, had seven selections &mdash; the most of any team &mdash; despite having the same record as the Patriots...&nbsp;&nbsp; </em></p>

Peers took a shining to stars

<p><em>Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker and kicker Stephen Gostkowski earned their first Pro Bowl berths yesterday...</em></p> <p><em>The fans did not vote them in, but their peers and the coaches did.</em></p> <p><em>That had to make the news that much sweeter for Welker and Gostkowski, because while the Pro Bowl in early February has turned into must-not-see TV, the distinction of being selected to play still has significant meaning, especially the way Welker and Gostkowski were chosen.</em></p>

Patriots Report Card

<p><em><span class="articleBegin"><font size="5">S</font></span>ometimes you get a take-home exam. Sunday was one of them for the Patriots&nbsp; even though they were 3,000 miles from Foxboro.</em></p> <p><em>It is difficult to imagine a team worse than the Oakland Raiders. They are an open book, a club not only inept on offense and inconsequential on defense but one that long ago packed up its heart and cashed in its chips. </em></p> <p><em>Owner Al Davis should hope his team quit in the first half of Sunday&rsquo;s 49-26 loss to the Pats because if it did not, he really has a problem: That would mean it is even a worse amalgamation of players than they appeared to be -- which is all but impossible.</em></p>

A December to remember

<p><em>This week's Patriots' mailbag is a wintry mix.</em></p> <p><em>Some e-mailers are focused on the playoffs and all the scenarios in play. Others are locked in on the defense and have concern. And yet others continue to explore quarterback Matt Cassel's future.</em></p> <p><em>The Patriots must win their final two games -- and still receive a little help -- to qualify for the playoffs. Given what the team has endured this season, it's a solid accomplishment to be in this position.</em></p> <p><em>We'll get right to the questions this week.</em></p>

Source: Matt Light separates shoulder

<p><em><span class="articleBegin"><font size="5">P</font></span>atriots left tackle Matt Light suffered a slight shoulder separation against the Raiders on Sunday, but the injury is considered mild enough that he might play this weekend, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.</em></p> <p><em>Light was injured in the first half and left the field holding his right arm. While his playing status has not yet been determined, the hope is he&rsquo;s able to go when the Patriots meet the Cardinals at Gillette Stadium in a game with playoff implications.</em></p>

Randy Moss and Lamont Jordan are living the good life

<em>Randy Moss and LaMont Jordan have escaped football purgatory, and yesterday they bathed in the light.</em> <p><em>The former Raiders returned to the scene of their darkest professional moments to combine for three touchdowns and help lay an absolute beating on their overmatched ex-mates.</em></p> <p><em>By the time the Patriots&rsquo; 49-26 victory was complete, Moss and Jordan had more than just the final score to relish. They had the satisfaction of crushing their old organization in a place that once felt like a cell.</em></p>

Play of the Game: Ellis Hobbs is returning the favor

<p><em><span class="articleBegin"><font size="5">T</font></span>he Raiders, oh so briefly, thought they had life in the second quarter yesterday following Justin Miller&rsquo;s 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Their excitement was short-lived, however. On the ensuing kickoff, Ellis Hobbs&nbsp; fielded the ball at the 5, found a seam on the right side and burst into open field. </em></p> <p><em>Hobbs, who has taken a beating on kickoff returns this year, strutted the final 20 yards to paydirt for the score that made it 35-14. The Pats&rsquo; quick response put an end to any threat from the Raiders as they went on to a 49-26 victory.</em></p>

Sammy Morris on the mark

<em>&nbsp;Patriots running back Sammy Morris set a new career single-season rushing mark yesterday against the Raiders, gaining 117 yards to give him 554 for the year.</em> <p><em>That was news to him.</em></p> <p><em>&ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t know what those numbers are,&rdquo; Morris said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve always focused on doing what I can to help the team win. I&rsquo;ve never been a stat guy. Honestly, I could care less. We&rsquo;re all here to win. Stats come second to me.&rdquo;</em></p>

Blowout in Oakland keeps Patriots hopes alive

<em>There certainly were plenty of storylines to capture both your imagination and your heart on this rainy, miserable afternoon.</em> <p><em>From Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel throwing four touchdown passes with the weight of his father&rsquo;s sudden death hanging over him, to Randy Moss and LaMont Jordan handing it to their former team with three touchdowns between them, to Ellis Hobbs&rsquo; 95-yard kick return, to the rebirth of Sammy Morris and the running game.</em></p> <p><em>But the bottom line for the Patriots these days has more to do with their fight to make it into the playoffs.</em></p>

Welker open to getting number called

<em>The spotlight coming in was on the return of Randy Moss, who was last spotted here as a disgruntled Raider in 2006.</em> <div id="articleEmbed" style="DISPLAY: block"> <div class="embed" id="relatedContent"> <div class="relatedBox" style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px"><em></em></div> <div class="relatedBox" style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px"><em>But it didn't take long for fellow receiver Wes Welker to gain the attention of the Raiders and their rowdy, rain-soaked fans at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.</em></div> </div> </div> <p><em>Welker got open early and often, igniting an offense that scored on its first four possessions as the Patriots took a 28-7 lead before downshifting and cruising to a 49-26 win that completed a sweep of their second West Coast trip.</em></p>

For Moss, it's a stomping return to his old grounds

<em>In a triumphant return to a place where he lived a two-year football nightmare, Randy Moss surely had plenty to say after scoring two touchdowns to help the Patriots pummel the Raiders yesterday. He shared none of it.</em> <div id="articleEmbed" style="DISPLAY: block"> <div class="embed" id="relatedContent"> <div class="relatedBox" style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px"><em></em></div> <div class="relatedBox" style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px"><em>Instead, Moss decided to let his on-field touchdown celebrations serve as his only response.</em></div> </div> </div> <p><em>After snaring scoring passes of 20 and 9 yards against his former team, Moss flipped the ball, turned his back to the crowd, and pointed with both hands toward the name on the back of his jersey - MOSS.</em></p>

No Contest

<span><em>&nbsp;The Patriots, at 9-5, are alive in both the AFC East and Wild Card races, but will need to win their two remaining games and get a little help.</em> <p class="text1"><em>Here are the scenarios:</em></p> <p class="text1"><em>To win the AFC East: New England must win out and have both the Jets and Dolphins lose next week or have one lose next week and come back to beat the other in the season finale.</em></p> <p class="text1"><em>To win a Wild Card:...</em> click the link and read on!</p> </span>

Cassel displays brave face, big heart

<em>Matt Cassel is going to remember 2008.</em> <p><em>It's the year he made his first start since high school. It's the year he took over for Tom Brady and kept the Patriots in the playoff race deep into December. </em></p> <p><em>It's the year he became only the fifth quarterback in history to throw for 400 yards in back-to-back games. And it's the year in which his dad died while he was on the West Coast getting ready for a big game against the Raiders.</em></p>

Coast is cleared

<em>It's debatable whether the team the Patriots played yesterday qualifies as an NFL-caliber opponent, but regardless of the sad and embarrassing state of the Oakland Raiders, a win over them counts the same as one against any other NFL team.</em> <p><em>That's good for the Patriots, who routed the franchise formerly known as the Raiders, 49-26, yesterday at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.</em></p> <p><em>The victory allowed the Patriots to sweep their West Coast road trip and remain in the playoff race. </em></p>

Wilfork is unquestionable

<em>You can remove the question mark attached to nose tackle <strong>Vince Wilfork's </strong>status for Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders. Wilfork, who left last Sunday's game against Seattle after injuring his shoulder on the Patriots' first defensive series, said he's playing.</em> <p><em>&quot;Oh yeah, no question,&quot; Wilfork said yesterday. &quot;I'm ready for Sunday.&quot;</em></p>

Moss pays a return visit to Oakland

<p><em>Some long-suffering Raiders fans remember Randy Moss' ill-fated stint in Oakland the same way they do the Tuck Rule playoff game. Once again, the Patriots have been the beneficiary.</em></p> <p><em>He returns to the Coliseum on Sunday for the first time since his disappointing Raiders days ended and he was traded to New England. It's doubtful that fans will roll out the welcome mat for him.</em></p>

Moss loses Pro Bowl fan balloting by 18 votes

<em>...some surprising results are in, as fans have finshed casting their ballots for this year's Pro Bowl. Several Patriots wound up in the top ten at their positions, but others who probably should have, did not. The final results will be announced in the next few days.</em>

Cassel practices with Pats after father's death

<p><em>As Matt Cassel returned to practice Thursday, teammates like Mike Vrabel and Heath Evans offered words of encouragement and sympathy for their QB, whose father passed away this week.</em></p> <p><em>&quot;I just wanted to wrap my arms around him this morning and tell him that I love him,&quot; said Evans. &quot;At this time, that's about the only thing that you can know how to do.&quot;</em></p>

Cassel to leave team briefly

<p><em>Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel is not expected to practice with the team today, as he has plans to return home because of a death in the family, according to a league source.</em></p> <p><em>Patriots players were off yesterday, but preparations for Sunday's game against the Raiders are scheduled to begin today at San Jose State. The team traveled from Seattle to San Jose Sunday night following a 24-21 victory over the Seahawks, and will stay there this week.</em></p> <p><em>Cassel, 26, is a native of Northridge, Calif., a suburb of Los Angeles.</em></p>

Taking it up a level

<p><em>When Bill Belichick jogged across Qwest Field following one of the Patriots' more satisfying victories of the season this past Sunday, it was fitting that he was heading in the direction of Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren.</em></p> <p><em>He'd been approaching Holmgren for some time now.</em></p> <p><em>Registering his 150th career head coaching victory, Belichick joined Holmgren as one of just 17 NFL sideline bosses to reach that milestone.</em></p> <p><em>Accounting for his five seasons in Cleveland from 1991-95 and the past nine in New England, Belichick is now 150-90 as a head coach (regular season and playoffs included).</em></p>

Randy Moss’ Oakland return of little concern

<em>When the Patriots play in Oakland on Sunday, Randy Moss will face his former Raiders team for the first time since the draft-day trade in April 2007 that landed the wide receiver in New England.</em> <p><em>Patriots coach Bill Belichick said yesterday he didn&rsquo;t think Moss would let all the hype of a return get in the way of a good performance. Belichick also didn&rsquo;t feel there was a need to chat with Moss about the subject. Instead, Belichick has talked to Moss about Raiders personnel.</em></p> <p><em>&ldquo;Randy&rsquo;s pretty professional. He&rsquo;s one of the most professional guys we have,&rdquo; Belichick said.</em> </p>

Playoff tiebreaker qualifiers not in Pats’ favor

<p><em>Now that the New England Patriots have escaped Seattle with a victory, they can focus on the Oakland Raiders, a team whose players were overheard laughing and joking after they were destroyed on national TV, 34-7, by the San Diego Chargers. While the Seahawks put forth a gallant effort Sunday, you can&rsquo;t really expect the Raiders to do the same....</em></p> <p><em>The question is, will running the table and going 11-5 be enough to get New England into the playoffs?</em> </p>

Wes Welker money for Patriots

<em>Former Patriots&nbsp; great Steve Grogan said there isn&rsquo;t a quarterback on the planet - past or present - who wouldn&rsquo;t want Wes Welker on his side, lined up in the slot.</em> <p><em>Given what Welker has meant to the Patriots offense, both last season and especially now, it&rsquo;s hard to argue with that assessment. Welker leads the league in receptions with 96, but that number really doesn&rsquo;t tell the whole story.</em></p>

Patriots Report Card

<p><em><span class="articleBegin"><font size="5">T</font></span>here was very little that was pretty about Sunday&rsquo;s 24-21 victory against a terrible and undermanned Seattle team, except for the grittiness of the Patriots, their resolve to win and the stalwart play of some little-used backups.</em></p> <p><em>At this late stage of the semester that&rsquo;s really what counts the most -- finding a way to win games that you can no longer afford to lose no matter how you look in the process of doing it.</em></p>

Defense banged up

<em>A league source said that Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who left Sunday's 24-21 win over the Seattle Seahawks with a knee injury, was sent back to Massachusetts to undergo tests on his left knee.</em> <p><em>That would mean that Bruschi was not with the team yesterday in the San Jose area, where it will practice this week in preparation for Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders.</em></p> <p><em>Bruschi left the game after Patriots cornerback Mike Richardson collided helmet-first with Bruschi's knee on the fourth play of the second quarter.</em></p>

For Patriots, winning isn't everything

<p><em>SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Bill Belichick is the type of coach who doesn't leave anything to chance, but when it comes to his team's chance of reaching postseason play with three games to go, Belichick is taking a pass on breaking down playoff scenarios.</em></p> <p><em>&quot;All I know is that there are a lot of teams in contention,&quot; said Belichick yesterday. &quot;So right now we're worried about Oakland. We'll win as many games as we can. I'm sure if we qualify somebody will let us know.&quot;</em></p>

Knee injury could reportedly land Bruschi on IR

For the Pats, the hits just keep on coming--to their roster. To the tune of &quot;Another One Bites the Dust,&quot; we learn that Tedy Bruschi may be the next one to pull up&nbsp; a seat on the IR list.

Behind enemy lines: Is grumpiness just an act for Bill Belichick?

<em>Bill Belichick&rsquo;s voice comes over the speakerphone, heavy and gruff like someone who gargles with gravel.</em> <p><em>It&rsquo;s just the kind of voice you&rsquo;d expect from a man who&rsquo;s personality has been compared to a porcupine: all bristles.</em></p> <p><em>The sun&rsquo;s been up in the West Coast for about half an hour, and the telephone interview with New England&rsquo;s coach promises to be about as pleasant as poison ivy.</em></p> <div id="AdMiddle"> <script language="JavaScript1.1" src="http://oascentral.bostonherald.com/RealMedia/ads/adstream_jx.ads/bh.heraldinteractive.com/sports/football/other_nfl/article@Top,Right,Middle,Middle1,Bottom!Middle" type="text/javascript"></script> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.adfusion.com/Adfusion.PartnerSite/ab32a833-2568-44b6-90e8-2b605109160b.aspx" type="text/javascript"></script> <style type="text/css"> /*--- Imported Refresh Styles --*/ #ARACreativeContainer * {position: static; white-space: normal;vertical-align: baseline;line-height: normal;font-weight: normal;font-family: inherit;font-style: normal;font-size: 100%;list-style: inherit;border: 0px none;outline: 0px;padding: 0px;margin: 0px;} </style><style type="text/css"> /*Creative Styles*/ #teststyle { } #ARALifeCategoryTable_300x250WhiteStd { width: 292px; height: 195px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; background-image: none; border: none; color: #000000; } #ARALifeCategoryTable_300x250WhiteStd td { text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10pt; font-size: 9pt; margin: 3px; padding: 2px; } #ARALifeCategoryTable_300x250WhiteStd a { text-decoration: none; } #ARALifeCategoryTable_300x250WhiteStd img { position: relative; position: static; /*left: 0; top: 0;*/ padding: 0px; margin: 0px; } </style> <div id="ARACreativeContainer"><em>&quot;You guys are up early,&quot; he said.</em></div> </div> <p><em>Well, that was more cordial than could have been expected.</em> </p>

Deion Branch to extend hospitality

<em>Deion Branch plans to slip over to the Patriots team hotel and hang out with some old friends tomorrow night, after they arrive in his new home town.</em> <p><em>&ldquo;Hopefully, coach (Bill Belichick) won&rsquo;t cut me off from going upstairs to their rooms,&rdquo; cracked Branch, who will face his former team for the first time when the Pats travel to Seattle to play the Seahawks on Sunday.</em></p> <p><em>Two years have gone by since the bitter divorce between the Pats and their star receiver, a nasty split that took place at the outset of the 2006 season when the sides couldn&rsquo;t agree on a new contract.</em></p>

Pats take look at Rosevelt Colvin

<p><em><span class="articleBegin"><font size="5">A</font></span> familiar face could soon return to Foxboro to give the </em><em>Patriots</em><em>&rsquo; injury-ravaged defense another body - Rosevelt Colvin.</em></p> <p><em>The Patriots worked out the veteran linebacker yesterday and a source close to the former starter believed there was a good chance a deal would be reached.</em></p> <p><em>The Pats have an opening and a need. They placed cornerback Jason Webster on season-ending injured reserve yesterday, creating a spot on the 53-man roster that could be filled by Colvin.</em></p>

NFL defends Wes Welker hit

<p><em><span class="articleBegin"><font size="5">I</font></span>t looked bad and surely it felt worse, but Ryan Clark&rsquo;s explosive hit on Wes Welker on Sunday was neither illegal nor unnecessary. It was a consequence of what pro football is and what Welker has done to opposing teams the past few seasons. Most importantly, it was within the rules.</em></p> <p><em>When the Steelers free safety all but split the tiny wide receiver in half as he ran across the face of Pittsburgh&rsquo;s defense, it felt like you could hear the collision in the stands.</em></p>

Will Seymour see more time?

<p>The headline for this edition of the Boston Globe's Patriots Notebook is Richard Seymour's recent cries of &quot;put me in coach!&quot; Mike Reiss writes on this, as well as Rosevelt Colvin's recent visit to Gillette and the Pats' upcoming West Coast trip. </p> <p><em>Earlier this week, defensive lineman Richard Seymour said he didn't agree with the Patriots' decision to replace him on third down early in Sunday's loss to the Steelers.</em></p> <p><em>Monday on his regularly scheduled appearance on WEEI radio, Seymour said he wanted to be on the field more on what is often considered the most critical down.</em></p>

Third and long is a downer for Patriots

<p><em>When a defensive game plan unfolds as desired, it usually goes something like this: Stop the run on early downs, set up a longer-yardage passing situation on third down, then dial up some pressure-based schemes to create havoc and end the opponent's drive.</em></p> <p><em>The Patriots have been OK in the first two areas. It's the last one that keeps haunting them.</em></p> <p><em>Third and long, which is supposed to be an advantageous situation for the defense, has been third and wrong this season.</em></p>

Patriots defensive coordinator Dean Pees is new ‘Eye in the Sky’

<p><em>The &ldquo;Eye in the Sky&rdquo; sees all, but it&rsquo;s not all-powerful. When it comes to the New England Patriots&rsquo; defense, coach Bill Belichick is the ultimate authority. </em></p> <p><em>The Patriots have decided that it&rsquo;s best to have Pees not down on the sideline lately. He was upstairs for the 48-28 win in Miami and for Sunday&rsquo;s 33-10 thrashing by the Steelers. The view hasn&rsquo;t been pretty, but Pees says, &ldquo;You can actually see the game better and see the problems that develop easier from up there than you can on the sideline.&rdquo;</em></p>

Tough Wes Welker draws praise

<em>A day later, the Patriots still were talking about Wes Welker.</em> <p><em>Teammates believed the hardy wideout was going to be OK after absorbing a brutal blow in Sunday&rsquo;s loss to the Steelers which might end up lightening the wallet of safety Ryan Clark.</em></p> <p><em>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s a little firecracker,&rdquo; Pats guard Logan Mankins [stats] said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s a tough little guy. He took a big hit. I think he&rsquo;s all right. Hopefully he&rsquo;s all right. You never want to see anything bad happen to anyone, but I think he&rsquo;s a tough guy. He&rsquo;ll get through it.&rdquo;</em></p>

Patriots Report Card

<p><em><span class="articleBegin"><font size="5">S</font></span>ometimes you can cram all you want for the big test and you still don't get the material. That was the case for bewitched, bothered and bewildered Matt Cassel on Sunday.</em></p> <p>Ron Borges has the Boston Herald's Pats Report Card for this week. You know the drill, Patsheads...get to it!</p>

Trip to London capital idea?

<p>Christopher L. Gasper offers the Globe's opinion on the Patriots trip to London next season. Among the more interesting quotes comes from one of the players... </p> <p><em>Patriots players, who are preparing to play the Seahawks in Seattle Sunday, sounded less thrilled at the prospect of playing across the pond.</em></p> <p><em>&quot;I'm worried about going to Seattle,&quot; said linebacker Mike Vrabel. &quot;I don't give a [expletive] about going to London.&quot;</em></p> <p>I have to say, I like his focus!</p>

Patriots and Bucs to play at Wembley in 2009

<em>The NFL will return to London next year with two of its top teams when the New England Patriots face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.<span id="midArticle_1"></span></em> <p><em>Wembley Stadium will host the October 25 affair, the third straight year the league has played a regular-season game there.</em></p> <span id="midArticle_2"></span> <p><em>&quot;The Buccaneers and Patriots have appeared in five of the last seven Super Bowls so we've got a really great match-u