Jerome Solomon of the Boston Globe reports that the Patriots released their injury report yesterday. The list included QB Tom brady, LB Tully Banta-Cain, WR Andre' Davis, T Brandon Gorin, DE Jarvis Green, WR Bethel Johnson, S James Sanders, WR David Givens and CB Duane Starks.
Expect Corey Dillon to again play a huge role in the Patriots offense this season. Jerome Solomon of the Boston Globe writes that Dillon is not only stronger and faster, but a season in the Patriots' system has him feeling more in control of what will happen on the field. "He's definitely ahead of where he was last year physically and from an experience standpoint," said Belichick. "Early in the season, we went through a lot of different situations and different plays making adjustments between him and the line and the way we blocked. Now we have a much better feel for his running style, how he's comfortable reading plays, how he's comfortable with how they're being blocked and what the reads and keys are on a play." Tom Curran of the Providence Journal offers a similar report on Dillon.
Michael Felger of the Boston Herald offers a story on the contingent of former Patriots now with the Oakland Raiders. The list includes former Patriots linebackers coach Rob Ryan and players Ted Washington, Bobby Hamilton. "I can't get overexcited. I know it's going to be a great feeling coming back home after a year off. It's going to be great because I was a part of what they had going on. But that buddy-buddy stuff, I can't look at that too much. It's going to be 0-0 on the scoreboard and on the field we're going to try and knock each other's heads off. And that's what I'm going to try and do and that's what they're going to try and do. Once the game is over we'll hug and all that. But until then, hey, I don't have no friends right now," said Hamilton on coming back to Foxborough.
Tom Curran of the *Providence Journal * takes a look at the Oakland Raiders huge defensive line. "Big" and "Fast" are words Bill Belichick used to describe the Raiders defensive line. The entire line combines to a total weight of 1,250 pounds, half of which is taken up by defensive tackles Warren Sapp(300 lbs.) and Ted Washington(365 lbs.). "Sapp is a big guy with a lot of power that's a real force in the middle. Ted's big. We know Bobby Hamilton, a very good, consistent, excellent technique player. They're pretty strong and pretty athletic. They're pretty explosive up front. It's certainly one of the strengths of the team," said Belichick.
Michael Felger of the Boston Herald offers a story the the Patriots depth at cornerback. Felger writes "We know the numbers and we know the names. We just don't know the starters. " The Patriots have shown a mixed bag of starters at cornerback throughout the preseason and it remains to be be seen who has won the starting jobs. At the top of the list, Tyrone Poole, Asante Samuel, Randall Gay and Chad Scott all had solid camps and between those four players seems to be the battle for the starting two cornerback spots. "I came to the National Football League to be a starter, so that's what my goal is," Samuel said. "(Starting) should be important to everyone. If you're a competitor, you don't settle for less. But you also know your role."
John Clayton of *ESPN.com * reports on the salary cap status of all 32 NFL clubs. This year's cap is set at $85.5 million and the Patriots are currently listed as being $1.4 million under the cap.
Tom Curran of the Providence Journal offers his daily sports blog with Patriots notes and commentary.
Peter King of Si.com offers his 2005 picks in which he lists the AFC East breaking down in the following order New England, Buffalo, New York Jets, Miami to finish the season.
Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe offers his daily sports blog with Patriots notes.
