Mike Reiss of The Boston Globe reports that the Patriots have kept penalties from playing a very big role in their first six games. The Pats have 30 penalties on the season, while their opponents have 46, collectively. Also included are a number of short pieces, including one on a potential statistics error that occurred in last Sunday's game.
The Boston Globe's Mike Reiss has a story on former Patriot tight end Jermaine Wiggins, who is currently with the Vikings. Wiggins, an East Boston native, had 10 receptions in the Patriots 2001 playoff win over the Raiders. The Patriots face Wiggins and the Vikings in Minnesota on Monday Night Football.
The Boston Herald's Michael Felger also offers a feature on Wiggins, who has been one of the most productive pass-catching tight ends in the league over the last three years. His 18 catches this season ranks eighth among NFL tight ends. Benjamin Watson has 21 and is ranked seventh.
Albert Breer offers the Boston Herald's Patriots Notebook, reporting on Patriots defensive lineman Jarvis Green. Green will likely start in Richard Seymour's place if Seymour's elbow isn't feeling better by Monday. Also included is a story on Laurence Maroney, who was named AFC special teams player of the week.
Shalise Manza Young of The Providence Journal reports on linebacker Rosevelt Colvin, who visited Austin Taylor at Tiogue Elementary School yesterday. Taylor won a drawing through CVS/pharmacy, so he got to bring Colvin to school. Colvin spoke with Taylor's fifth grade class before addressing the rest of the school in the gymnasium.
Jim Donaldson of The Providence Journal offers a piece on former Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe. Bledsoe, now with the Cowboys, was yanked out of the game on Monday after throwing an interception in scoring range.
Eric McHugh of The Patriot Ledger explains that after lots of hard work, the Pats passing game is starting to see improvement. The Patriots receivers caught 11 passes for 123 yards against the Bills on Sunday, which was their second-best outing of the season.
The Patriot Ledger's Eric McHugh also reports that kicker Stephen Gostkowski, who is the only NFL kicker without a 40-yard field goal yet. He had his eighth touchback Sunday against the Bills.
Glen Farley of The Enterprise explains that the Patriots haven't faced the Vikings since 2002. So far, they've met familiar foes, but that changes in the coming weeks.
Michael Parente of the Woonsocket Call reports that the Patriots are in the middle of an uphill climb. They're on the rise thanks to the NFL's seventh-ranked defense and running back Chester Taylor, who's second in the league in rushing. "We have us real strong test this week in Minnesota," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said. "The Vikings are really good football team. They're good in all three phases of the game.
Also, don't forget to check out USA Today's Inside Slant on the Patriots, updated weekly.
