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September 10, 2006

Pre-game notes

The Patriots elected their 2006 captains this week, and they are the same seven men as last year: QB Tom Brady, WR Troy Brown, LB Tedy Bruschi, S Rodney Harrison, SpT Larry Izzo, DL Richard Seymour and LB Mike Vrabel.

New England is 9-2 in its last 11 home openers, and has not yet lost a home opener at Gillette Stadium (4-0).

Bill Belichick is looking for his 100th career win as a head coach this afternoon; he comes into the day with a 99-77 (.563) record. Should New England win today, Belichick becomes the 31st NFL coach to hit the century mark.

The Patriots have won five straight games against Buffalo.

Corey Dillon is the career yardage leader among active players. His nine-year total of 10,429 yards ranks 17th in NFL history, and is more than 1,000 yards more than the next-closest active player, Edgerrin James (9,226). Former Patriot and current Jet Curtis Martin (14,101 yards) and St. Louis' Marshall Faulk (12,279 yards) both are ahead of Dillon on the NFL's career list, but both are on their respective teams' PUP list to start the season.

Troy Brown opens his 14th season with New England today, and is the fourth player to spend 14 or more years with the franchise, joining QB Steve Grogan (16 seasons, 1975-90), OT Bruce Armstrong (14 seasons, 1987-2000) and LB Steve Nelson (14 seasons, 1974-86).

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 12:26 PM | Permalink