Mike Reiss of Boston Globe takes a look at the Patriots salary cap situation. The NFL salary cap is $85.5 million, and at present check, the Patriots are only about $800,000 under the cap. What makes the Patriots different from other clubs is their strong middle class of players. Of the 53 players on the roster, 23 have a salary cap figure of $1 million or more. Reiss breaks down who has the highest and lowest salaries on the team.
Michael Felger of the Boston Herald writes that since 1996 the Patriots have always had the benefit of having a hard-hitting, playmaking strong safety leading the defense. Players like Lawyer Milloy and Rodney Harrison talked a big game and backed it up on the field. The Patriots backfield is currently experiencing a leadership void. With Harrison gone, there's no one to offer a verbal challenge, to get in a teammate's face.
Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald writes that defensive lineman Richard Seymour has been practicing again and even though he is not 100% plans to play against the Bills on Sunday. "I'm not 100 percent, but I'll be there (Sunday), no question," said Seymour. Guregian reports that Seymour had been recovering from a sprained left medial collateral ligament which typically takes 4-6 weeks of recovery time.
Alan Greenberg of the Hartford Courant writes that the Patriots will look to be more consistant on defense. "We've been competitive, but inconsistent," linebacker Mike Vrabel said of a team that is allowing 27.3 points a game, more than any AFC team except the winless Texans. "You see us playing really well and then give up some cheap yards. That's [lack of] hustle and minor breakdowns. We know we're going to get that corrected."
Michael Parente of the Woonsocket Call writes that there is a legitimate cause for concern with the way the Patriots have played through the first six weeks of the season. Considering how the rest of the division looks, there's no need to push the panic button yet. Parente breaks down the AFC East division through seven weeks of the season.
The Boston Herald's "Inside Track" reports that Patriots linebacker Larry Izzo hosted his celebrity karaoke at Avalon last night. "Salute To The Troops" raised money for families of servicemen killed or wounded in Irag and Afghanistan. "We have to thank Larry for putting this thing together,'' said Tom Brady. "We're all really proud of him."
Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe offers his daily sports blog with Patriots notes. Reiss also offers his latest mailbag where he answers your questions.
Tom Curran of the Providence Journal offers his daily sports blog with Patriots notes and commentary.
