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This helmet hurts, not helps

Running back Corey Dillon divulged tonight that it was his helmet, not some lineman's big 'ol finger, that caused his eye injury against Washington last Saturday.

At the team's Kickoff Gala tonight, Dillon said his helmet was too big, and moved when he hit the turf during a first-quarter run, swelling his eye. Though he did not return to the game, Dillon has been on the practice field this week.

Also at the Gala, emceed by Brown alum and ESPN legend Chris Berman, Jarvis Green received the Patriots' Ron Burton Community Service Award; Pats owner Robert Kraft said he "trusts" Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli in regards to the Deion Branch situation, and Tedy Bruschi was on hand (no pun intended), with a soft cast on his surgically-repaired right wrist.

The Gala is an annual event for season-ticket holders that raises money for the Patriots Foundation; it also gives attendees the chance to meet all of the players. Tom Brady had the longest line for autographs; rookie back Laurence Maroney, wearing a three-piece suit that would make Michael Irvin jealous, seemed to be enjoying himself, cracking jokes and laughing quite a bit.

have a good night
shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 8:59 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Pracitce notes

So I'm going to go out on a limb and say we'll be seeing a whole lot of Matt Cassel and maybe even some Corey Bramlet under center come Thursday night. Brady wasn't on the field during the media access period for the second straight day, leading me to that thought. (I know, I'm brilliant ;)

Also not on the field today: RB Laurence Maroney, S Tebucky Jones, WR Reche Caldwell, DL Dan Klecko, LB Chad Brown; they are in addition to the usual absentees, WR Chad Jackson, S Guss Scott, LB Tedy Bruschi and WR Deion Branch.

DL Marquise Hill practiced for the second straight day, and T Nick Kaczur was back on the field after missing yesterday.

All-purpose Willie Andrews, LB Corey Mays and TE David Thomas were all sporting the red no-contact jerseys.

Practice was again in pads and shorts/pants; because of the rain, the session was inside the bubble. Before we media types got kicked out, the Pats were doing work on special teams.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 1:46 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Tuesday press conference & locker room notes

Afternoon all --

The Pats announced their roster cuts before Bill Belichick began his press conference and there were no major surprises: CB Hank Poteat, LB Freddie Roach, WRs Rich Musinski and Keron Henry, C Brian Barthelmes and G Nick Seitz.

Poteat was the only true veteran of the group; he was signed in Jan. 2005, to help the depleted secondary the week before New England's playoff game with Indianapolis, playing in that game, and seeing more significant time in the AFC title game against Pittsburgh. In 15 games (5 postseason) with the Pats, he made 29 tackles(24 unassisted), had a sack and two passes defensed.

Belichick praised Poteat's professionalism and the way in which he handled a stressful situation, coming onto the defending Super Bowl champions at the beginning of another championship run.

"He's a great kid, a good player to coach. He played in some big games; I have no issues at all with Hank. It was tough this morning," Belichick said.

The Patriots announced that DL Jarvis Green will receive the fourth annual Ron Burton Community Service Award at the team's Kickoff Gala this evening. Green is one of five New Enlgland players from Louisiana and has done a great deal to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina in his home state. He also participates in numerous fundraising and charity events in Massachusetts.

Belichick was asked if the team will be carrying just two quarterbacks to start the season, since the third QB on the roster, rookie Corey Bramlet, has yet to step on the field in the preseason. Belichick said that he and his staff will do what's best for the team, but added that it's also more important to get #2 -- in this case, Matt Cassel -- reps in game situations than it is to get #3 some time.

We'll have more after we come back from practice.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 12:48 PM | Permalink | Comments 1