Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that running backs Kevin Faulk and Corey Dillon were back on the practice field yesterday and it is likely that either or both players will be available for Sunday's game. John Tomase of the Boston Herald also offers an article on Corey Dillon's return to practice.
John Tomase of the Boston Herald writes that on consecutive possessions in the fourth quarter Sunday, the Chiefs and Patriots each faced third down. The Chiefs needed 16 yards to move the chains, the Patriots just three. Only one team converted, and it wasn't the one trying to gain nine feet. The sequence highlighted an area that has plagued the Patriots all season. Their inability to neither force the opposition off the field nor keep their own offense on it has led to a six-minute time-of-possession disparity that ranks 27th in the NFL.
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes that Tom Brady's receivers have more yards after the catch -- 1,463 -- than any group in the AFC, which is why when he puts the ball in the hands of the opposition, as he did four times last week in a 26-16 loss to the Chiefs, he beats himself up. The more Brady pored over film this week the more adamant he was about drawing that conclusion. It isn't very often he's had four-interception games, and when he has he has come back with a vengeance. "I do believe I'm a good player and what happened on Sunday is more of an aberration. I'm glad it only comes up once every so often," he said. Michael Felger of the Boston Herald offers a similar report on Tom Brady.
Tom Curran of the Providence Journal writes that Ty Law will be back in Foxboro for the first time since he signed with the Jets after 10 mostly brilliant, always-entertaining years with the Patriots. He's a Jet now. And even as the team struggles (2-9), Law is having a reasonably good year, with 5 interceptions, 50 tackles and 7 passes defensed. "If there is anyone who knows what Ty is capable of, it's me," said Pats quarterback Tom Brady. "He is a terrific player and he's a great teammate and he has really proven to be the best in the league for many years. Unfortunately, I have to play him now. That was never the case, but I am looking forward to it." Alan Greenberg of the Hartford Courant also offers a similar report on Law.
Michael Felger of the Boston Herald reports that linebacker Monty Beisel got into a heated exchange with Providence Journal reporter Tom Curran yesterday in the players locker room over a story Curran wrote about Beisel last week. "Why do you have to come to my locker and rub it in?" Beisel said when approached by Curran, who last week wrote an article criticizing the linebacker. "That's your professionalism? You slash me in front of everybody? What kind of (expletive) is that?"
John Tomase of the Boston Herald writes that the likelihood of left tackle Matt Light returning this season took a blow when he reportedly underwent a second medical procedure on his broken right leg last week. Tomase cites sources as saying Light needed the procedure because of persistent fluid and swelling in the leg. He has not played since breaking his fibula in the second quarter of the Patriots' 23-20 victory in Pittsburgh on Sept. 25.
Tom Curran of the Providence Journal writes that while the Patriots easily have outpaced the Jets in terms of injuries (43 different starters, to 33 for the Jets), New England hasn't lost its starting quarterback, as the Jets did. And the Patriots' ability to recruit and develop versatile players is unparalleled, so while they can lose 10 more players and be 6-5, the Jets haven't been able to survive with the guys down the roster they have as backups. "It didn't start off that bad, it really didn't," insisted Edwards, whose club split its first two games. "We had a team we felt was going to be pretty good. We thought we had covered our bases at the quarterback position and some of the other backup positions, and lo and behold, at the positions we thought we covered, that is where all the bombs went off at."
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.
