Bill Belichicktook time from his busy schedule Tuesday to meet with a group of children at the Cinema De Lux at Patriot Place to teach them about Ernie Davis, who was the first African-American player to win the Heisman Trophy.
“He was a pretty special guy,” Belichick told the Boston Globe.
“When you spend a first-round pick, you would like it to be on a guy who’s a 1,200- to 1,500-yard back,” CBS analyst Randy Cross told the Boston Herald.
With rumors circulating about the future of the quarterback position, Belichick showed his support for Matt Cassel, who struggled against the Dolphins but used his bye week wisely and is off to a good start this week in practice.
"Matt had a good week last week and a good practice [Monday]. I think he's doing things," Belichick told the Providence Journal.
Meanwhile, the Patriots are preparing for the unknown with San Francisco – a team they haven't seen since 2004 and a team they haven't seen much of at all throughout their franchise history. Head coach Mike Nolan may have a few tricks up his sleeve Sunday.
“You are not really sure what you’re going to get,” Belichick told the *Worcester Telegram & Gazette. *
The 49ers are known for using the "big nickel" package on defense, which features four defensive linemen, two linebackers, three safeties and two cornerbacks.
"[It's] a team that we don't know very well, but [one] we've got to get to know here in a hurry," Belichick told the Quincy Patriot Ledger.
Quick hits
Out west, the 49ers are trying to find ways to shore up their pass protection on the offensive line while Raiders owner Al Davis is taking shots at the Patriots, accusing them of tampering prior to last year's trade for Randy Moss.
