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Brady named Offensive Player of the Month

The NFL will announce tomorrow that Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady was named AFC offensive player of the month for September.

Really, the decision was about as easy as winning a one-man (or -woman) race.

In guiding New England to a 4-0 record (yes, technically the Bengals game was in October), Brady completed 95 of 120 passes, a 79.2 percent completion rate, for 1,118 yards, 13 touchdowns and just two interceptions. His QB rating is 134.7.

Brady has been named player of the week eight times, including after his performance against Buffalo in week three, but this is his first player of the month honor.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 7:52 PM to Tom Brady | Permalink | Comments 0

Sammy Morris nominated for award

FOXBORO -- For his impressive 21 carry, 117 yard, one touchdown performance in New England's 34-13 victory over Cincinnati, Patriots running back Sammy Morris has been nominated for the FedEx Ground Player of the Week.

The Colts Joseph Addai (136 yards, one touchdown) and Oakland's Justin Fargas (179 yards) have also been nominated.

Fans can vote for their favorite player at www.nfl.com.

Posted by Rob Lee  at 7:10 PM to Sammy Morris | Permalink | Comments 1

Wednesday participation report

The Patriots have released their first participation/injury report of week 5. There is only one addition but several deletions from the list:

Did Not Participate
C Dan Koppen - ankle

Limited Participation
LB Rosevelt Colvin - ankle
CB Randall Gay - thigh
RB Laurence Maroney - groin
G Stephen Neal - shoulder
WR Donte Stallworth - knee
WR Kelley Washington - hamstring

Full Participation
QB Tom Brady - right shoulder

* Eugene Wilson (ankle), Billy Yates (shoulder), Vince Wilfork (shoulder) and Mike Wright (knee) were all removed from the list.

For the Browns:

Limited Participation
S Gary Baxter - knees
DT Orpheus Roye - knee
G Eric Steinbach - neck
TE Kellen Winslow - shoulder

Full Participation
LB Willie McGinest - back
LB Antwan Peek - foot
P Dave Zastudil - back

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 4:38 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

D. Thomas to IR

When Marcellus Rivers showed up at the Patriots' practice today, it became clear that David Thomas' injury - he left Monday night's game - was going to keep him out for a while at least.

But Thomas' season was ended today, as the Pats announced they have placed him on injured reserve with a foot injury. Thomas suffered a broken foot during offseason workouts; it is unknown at this time if this is the same foot.

The team officially announced the re-signing of Rivers to fill Thomas' spot on the roster.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 4:22 PM to David Thomas | Permalink | Comments 0

Wednesday practice look

We're just off the field for the first practice session of the week, and Rodney Harrison was back in his familiar number 37 jersey, working out with his teammates.

However, center Dan Koppen and tight end David Thomas were not on the field.

Tight end Marcellus Rivers was working with the tight ends, which could be a sign that Thomas' injury will keep him out for a while.

Practice squad players Antowain Spann and CJ Jones were in black jerseys, denoting them as practice players of the week.

The players were in shells and shorts.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 1:15 PM to Dan Koppen , David Thomas | Permalink | Comments 0

Harrison: "I don't want to talk about the past"

Hey all --

Today marked the first time in a month that we in the media have seen Rodney Harrison, as he re-joined the Patriots yesterday after serving a four-game suspension for admitting to purchasing and using human growth hormone.

We'll admit upfront that the crush of reporters in front of Harrison's locker made it hard for us to hear a lot of what he said, but here are some points that he hit on:

* He did not want to elaborate on the past nor share his thought process on what led him to purchase HGH

* Asked if the time away gave him some perspective on his career, Harrison said, "I've always had perspective on my career. Life isn't football, and I have a lot of life left."

* He said people make mistakes, there are consequences to every decision one makes, and that he can't go out of his way "to change everyone's opinion of me. I know what kind of person I am."

* Harrison wanted to get everyone to focus on what's in front of him, not what's behind, noting that he has Browns tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. and the rest of Cleveland upcoming and he's getting ready for that.

Tom Brady also chatted in front of his locker, and he said the same thing about Cleveland that his coach did: that the Browns are a field goal away from being 3-1. He praised the Cleveland secondary, and doesn't want the Patriots to become one-dimensional against them because they'll get beat.

Bill Belichick opened his press conference by talking extensively about the Browns, saying that they've gotten better every week, can move the ball down the field in a hurry on offense, have good young players in the secondary, and a standout punt and kick return man in Joshua Cribbs.

He said Harrison would absolutely be on the practice field today, and that the team will work him into things day by day.

New England has been granted a one-week exemption for Harrison, going until Oct. 8, but if he is activated for Sunday's game, thereby ending the exemption, there will need to be a corresponding roster move.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 11:55 AM to Rodney Harrison | Permalink | Comments 0