Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe is reporting that Ty Law will miss up to seven weeks with a broken bone in his foot. "Law's Houston-based agent, Carl Poston, confirmed the injury yesterday, while indicating that Law would seek a second opinion," writes Cafardo.
Marvin Pave of the Globe surveys the atmosphere in the Patriots locker room, where the team looks to put Sunday's loss behind them. "Next stop for the Patriots, whose NFL-record 21-game winning streak ended in Pittsburgh last Sunday, is the "Magic Carpet" Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, where the well-rested Rams will renew acquaintances with the injury-depleted Patriots," writes Pave.
Michael Felger of The Boston Herald also reports on the Law injury, one that is sure to affect the team more than any other of the myriad injuries the team has suffered thus far this season. "Word is Law, who played through most of last season with a high ankle sprain, will try to make it back prior to the end of the season," reports Felger.
In his notebook, Felger chronicles the progress of linebacker Rosevelt Colvin, who continues to make forward strides from his horrific hip injury that cost him the 2003 season. "His hip was shattered in a similar fashion to that of Bo Jackson, although not as severe. Doctors said it looked like he'd been in a major car accident. For months, Colvin couldn't even sit in a chair," writes Felger. Among other topics, Felger has praise for Brandon Gorin, and previews the matchup between Richard Seymour and the Rams offensive line.
The Herald also includes another excerpt from Felger's book, Tales From the Patriots Sideline.
Alan Greenberg of The Hartford Courant examines the impact of losing Law. "The absence of Law, who grew up in Aliquippa, Pa., a few miles from Heinz Field, had an immediate impact. Two plays after Law was helped off the field, his replacement, undrafted rookie Randall Gay, was beaten on a 47-yard touchdown pass that gave the Steelers a 7-3 lead," writes Greenberg. "Barely three minutes later, it was 21-3."
Michael Parente of The Woonsocket Call makes note of the struggling run defense, which once again allowed a huge game from the opponent's backfield. "For the second time this season, the Patriots allowed an opponent to rush for more than 200 yards," Parente writes. "Indianapolis totaled 202 yards on 42 carries in a season-opening loss. On Sunday, the Steelers rushed for 221 yards on 49 carries in a convincing 34-20 win."
Parente also looks at the Law story, and attempts to project the Patriots next move. "Assuming the report is true and Law and Poole both sit out Sunday in St. Louis, the Patriots will likely start [Asante] Samuel and [Eugene] Wilson at cornerback and have rookie Dexter Reid take Wilson's place at safety alongside Rodney Harrison," Parente forecasts.
Parente points out things won't get any easier for the defending champs, as they head to St. Louis to take on a Rams team that can be electric on its home turf. "The Rams have changed personnel over the years, but they're still capable of putting on a dazzling performance on turf, which is where they'll be Sunday when they play host to the Patriots at the Edward Jones Dome," writes Parente.
In case you missed it, Golf Magazine has a nice feature on Tom Brady this month. Peter Richmond spends a day on the links with the popular quarterback, tying in his golf game with his football career. "Brady marches up the fairway, expecting things to improve. No: willing things to improve. For Tom Brady, two-time Super Bowl MVP, a bad start is just another chance for a comeback. He soon heads for the fourth tee, leading with his dimpled chin," writes Richmond.
ESPN.com has unveiled its weekly Power Rankings and, for the first time since Week 13 of last season, the Patriots are not at the top.
Pete Prisco of CBS.sportsline.com also gives his new Power Rankings. "New England's streak was bound to come to an end, and it is certainly one of the great achievements of NFL history -- even if the Patriots players never would acknowledge it," writes Prisco. Needless to say, the Patriots are no longer number one here either. Rather, they sit at number three, behind the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles and the 6-1 Pittsburgh Steelers, a team the Pats are quite familiar with at this point.
