Projo Pats Blog

GOOD TO GET A BREAK: A day after their victory in San Francisco, Patriots players were feeling grateful that they were remaining in California for the week, forgoing two cross-country trips before the coming game with the Chargers. (projo.com)

NOT A BUNCH OF COPY CATS: Jim Donaldson points out that, despite what you may have been reading in some media, the Patriots did not run their third-quarter direct-snap-for-a-touchdown play to Kevin Faulk because they were inspired by what Ronnie Brown and the Dolphins did to them two weeks ago. (projo PatsBlog) In fact, the Patriots have been running the play on occasion for years, and in two playoff games Faulk himself used the scheme to convert two-point plays.

NOT GOING THERE: Laurence Maroney did not contribute much to the victory in San Francisco, but Bill Belichick did not have any public criticism for his starting tailback when asked yesterday if the Patriots were getting what they should be getting out of Maroney. (projo PatsBlog)

OH YEAH, THAT GUY: 49ers tight end Vernon Davis made the biggest news of his career when he barked at his own sidelines after catching his first (and only) catch of the game in the fourth quarter against the Saints two Sundays ago. Against New England, the former first-round pick once again was held without a reception. Yesterday, San Francisco head coach Mike Nolan stated the obvious: Davis has a ways to go as a pass receiver. (Santa Rosa Press Democrat)

GUT-CHECK TIME: Two years in a row, the San Diego Chargers have seen their season end in the playoffs at the hand of the New England Patriots. Now, with their record a disappointing 2-3 and the Pats about to come calling, the situation this Sunday couldn't be bigger -- at this point of the season, anyway -- for San Diego. Head coach Norv Turner plans on issuing a personal challenge to his team this week -- take control of the season now, or else. (San Diego Union Tribune)

COMMITTED TO THE CAUSE: LaDainian Tomlinson, who famously spent much of last year's AFC Championship Game sitting on the bench with his helmet on, says he feels the urgency to win and vows not to miss any time because of the nagging toe injury that has cut into his production. (projo.com)

BUSH GOES PRIME TIME: Reggie Bush tied an NFL record by returning two punts for touchdowns last night in New Orleans, but his Saints still lost, 30-27, to the Minnesota Vikings. The win puts the Vikings, who have been one of the NFL's most disappointing teams early in the season, right back into the thick of things in the lousy NFC North. (Minneapolis Star Tribune) It was an exciting game on both sides for special teams, as Minnesota got a 59-yard return of a blocked field goal for a touchdown by Antoine Winfield.

MONEY TO BURN? The New York Jets this month are auctioning off membership in their "Coaches Club" -- which combines the the best seats in the stadium with unprecedented field access for the most well-heeled fans. Here's how the deal is described on the Jets' web site: "The Coaches Club combines the best seats in football - on the sideline around the 50-yard line - with access usually reserved for coaches and players. Club members will be able to stand on the field and watch the game, five yards off the Jets bench, or step inside to a private 20,000 square foot bar and lounge designed by Nobu architect David Rockwell. In addition to complimentary food and beverage, Club members receive free VIP parking adjacent to the stadium and can buy tickets to other events when available."

JUST LIKE THAT: Similar to the Red Sox, the Patriots have shown a good deal of sense (or maybe it's just luck) in letting veteran players go and not having much to regret when it is all said and done. Deion Branch seems to be a good example. Hopes were high this week for Branch, who was making his first appearance of the season for Seattle after coming back from knee surgery. But now Branch is out indefinitely with a painful heel injury. (ESPN)

THIS GAME'S A PAIN: Speaking of unhappy returns, the Eagles' Brian Westbrook, it was revealed yesterday, broke two ribs early in Sunday's game against the Redskins, his return after missing a week with an ankle injury. (ESPN)

A BLESSING, I GUESS: Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck did not have any structural damage in his right knee, which he "tweaked" (in Mike Holmgren's words) against the Giants; now he can return to the field to resume command of his empty shell of a football team. (Seattle Times)

ON THE TOPIC OF BAD TEAMS: Brodie Croyle, injured in the Chiefs' opener at Foxboro, expects to start for Kansas City this weekend. Unfortunately, he'll have to deal with the undefeated Titans and their rock-solid defense. (Kansas City Star)

HAVEN'T WE REPORTED THIS BEFORE? Cleveland Browns head coach Romeo Crennel once again expects to have Donte' Stallworth (quad) on the field to make his team debut against the Giants this week. (ClevelandBrowns.com)

UNAPOLOGETIC BURRESS: Suspended Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress, in a conference call yesterday, basically stated his view that he doesn't need the affection of fans to do his job. (The Star-Ledger) Good thing, and Plax, the Giants don't seem to need you all that much, either.

THE FEATHERS WATCH: After 27 carries, Cowboys rookie running back Felix Jones is averaging more than nine yards per carry, a pace that would break a 74-year-old league record set by the Chicago Bears' Beattie Feathers.

UNCONVENTIONAL THINKING: Our old friend Tom Curran gives out his quarter-season awards, and his MVP is not a flashy offensive skill player, but big Tennessee defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. Curran gives the Patriots' Jerod Mayo his nod for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

FAREWELL ACT? Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner said yesterday that he has not put out the thoughts of retirement that entered his mind after he saw wide receiver Anquan Boldin suffer a scary head injury two Sundays ago. (projo.com) But Warner at least seems like he will definitely wait for the end of the season. And at 37 years old, he doesn't have that much longer left, one way or another.

THE SEQUEL: In Tampa Bay, the Jeff Garcia vs. Brian Griese drama, with the starting quarterback job at stake, is back on -- and this time the roles are reversed, with Griese the man fighting a mild injury and Garcia positioned to take his place. (St. Petersburg Times)

STADIUM FALLING APART: Three women were taken to the hospital when they were hit by a glass panel that fell from the upper deck of Jacksonville Municipal Stadium during the Jaguars-Steelers game on Sunday night. (Florida Times Union)