The Boston Globe's Mike Reiss offers a piece on the strength of the Patriots offense with Tom Brady at the helm. "We put together a nice drive there to start, which is good," said Brady, who carved up the blitzing Cardinals in a 15-of-20 performance that totaled 149 yards. "I think we were pretty efficient."
Reiss also offers the Globe's Patriots Notebook, which includes a piece on the Patriots use of the two tight end set. The Patriots ran 41 plays from the line of scrimmage in the first half of Saturday night's exhibition game against the Cardinals. Of those plays, 28 involved two or more tight ends on the field.
In the race to replace Adam Vinatieri for the Pats kicking duties, rookie Stephen Gostkowski has a leg up on Martin Gramatica. Gostkowski attempted every kick for the Pats against the Cards and made every one. Reiss has the story.
Michael Felger of the Boston Herald features Tully Banta-Cain. The fourth-year outside linebacker flourished in a starting role on Saturday night, recording three tackles, a sack and two quarterback pressures. He showed good burst in pursuit and consistently set an edge on running plays. With holes emerging in the linebacker corps, Banta-Cain may be set to have a break out year.
Albert Breer, of the MetroWest Daily News features Bam Childress. Childress, who was on the practice squad last year had three receptions for 75 yards against the Cardinals. "Bam's a tough, competitive kid," coach Bill Belichick said. "And you look at him, he's not the biggest kid, he's not the fastest, but he's a tough competitor. He makes plays. He's a good football player."
Michael Felger of the Boston Herald features linebacker Rosevelt Colvin. Given up for done two years ago after his devastating Bo Jackson-like hip fracture, Colvin now just may be the play-making fulcrum on which the Patriots' shaky linebacking corps will spin.
The Providence Journal's Kevin McNamara offers analysis of New England's play in Saturday's game. "I thought there were some good, positive things last night in the game, but at the same time there are a lot of things that we need to work on, too," Belichick said yesterday.
Mike Reiss of The Boston Globe offers his blog, Reiss' Pieces.
