The Boston Globe's Christopher Gasper reports on the play of quarterback Tom Brady and his receiving corps in Sunday's ousting of the Bills. It seems the league's 22nd-rated passing attack is becoming more confidant. Brady took a chance by slinging a TD pass to wideout Doug Gabriel in a crowd of defenders. Gabriel rose to the occasion. "That just shows the trust that he has in us," receiver Reche Caldwell said after the game.
Gasper offers The Boston Globe's Patriots Notebook, which includes stories on Jarvis Green, who's prepared to step in if Richard Seymour, who sustained an elbow injury at Buffalo, isn't ready to go against the Vikings. Also included is a story on rookie kicker Stephen Gostkowski.
John Tomase of the Boston Herald explains that the extent of Seymour's injury is undisclosed. Belichick said his potential absence wouldn't affect game planning for the Vikings game on Monday and explained that unforeseen circumstances frequently occur.
Michael Felger of the Boston Herald offers his Patriots report card on the Bills game, likening the Patriots to the 49ers of the eighties and early nineties. The defense made the grade, but according to Felger, the offensive line could have performed better.
The Boston Herald's John Tomase offers a feature on tight end Benjamin Watson. Watson had five receptions for 60 yards against the Bills. He said he finally had room to run, thanks in part to the effectiveness of the receivers, who nearly tripled the number of receptions they posted in the season opener against the same team.
Albert Breer of the Boston Herald reports that Junior Seau has stepped in and is improving nicely within the Patriots defense. "He started at a high level, but he's gaining comfort with (the rest of the front seven)," said coach Belichick.
Tony Massarotti of the Boston Herald sums up the Patriots play in the first seven weeks of the regular season, questioning how tough much of their competition has been. Massarotti compares this season's Patriots to the 2001 Super Bowl Champion team.
The *Boston Herald* has the results of this week's player-of-the-game poll. Asante Samuel came up big in the voting for the second game in a row. He had three interceptions in the last two games.
Shalise Manza Young of The Providence Journal focuses on the Patriots improvement, citing lop sided rematches with the Bills over the last few seasons. Their first meeting each year is usually pretty close, but the rematches have been one-sided in favor of the Patriots. This season was no different. "We focused on what they had success against us with the first time," linebacker Tedy Bruschi said Monday.
Jim Donaldson of The Providence Journal takes a look ahead at the upcoming Monday Night Pats-Vikings game, which is followed up by a visit from the undefeated Colts. The Vikings upset the Seahawks last week, snapping a 12-game, regular-season home winning streak for the defending NFC champs. Donaldson also talks about the Jets, who travel to New England following the Colts game.
Bill Reynolds of The Providence Journal takes a look at a new book on Tom Brady. Moving the Chains: Tom Brady and the Pursuit of Everything, written by Charlie Pierce reportedly gives a lot of insight into Brady's mentality.
Alan Greenberg of the Hartford Courant reports on the Patriots defense, which is in a much better situation than it was last year at this time. "We've got a great work ethic," Tedy Bruschi said. "Guys here want to work."
The Union Leader's Ian Clark offers his report card on the Patriots play in the rematch against the Bills. He gives Brady an 'A' but is tough on the offensive line.
Don't forget to check out USA Today's Inside Slant on the Patriots, updated weekly.
