Wednesday's New England Patriots Links 10/26

Ian Logue

Oct 26, 2011 at 7:48am ET

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The team got back to work yesterday as they get set to battle Pittsburgh on Sunday, and here are this morning's top stories:

Sebastian Vollmer eyes return to give line a boost - Ian Rapoport
Offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer talked about what it's been like being sidelined after battling a back injury over the first few weeks of this season and hopes to be ready to return soon.

Pats still waiting on Albert Haynesworth - Karen Guregian
Guregian writes that Albert Haynesworth has battled the Pittsburgh Steelers on multiple occasions during his career, and hopefully the Patriots get to see the Haynesworth that has had success against them after a slow start for the defensive lineman this season.

NOTEBOOK: Brandon Deaderick works toward return on line - Ian Rapoport
Rapoport files his notebook this morning, which leads off on the return of Brandon Deaderick, who is hoping to make an impact after starting this season on PUP.  Rapoport writes that Deaderick likely would have been ready for the season had he been able to rehab his surgically repaired shoulder in Foxboro, but wasn't able to due to the lockout.

Marcus Cannon blocks out cancer, practices - Ian Rapoport
After battling non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a treatable form of the disease, Rapoport writes that for now it's Cannon 1, Cancer 0 - and he returned to practice yesterday.

Dolphins’ Brandon Marshall discusses disorder - Ron Borges
Borges has an article on Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who spoke at Emerson Hall in front of 250 Harvard University students Monday and talked about his battle with BPD.

Patriots WR Ochocinco signs endorsement deal - Associated Press
MusclePharm Corp. has reached an endorsment deal with Chad Ochocinco, and claims the deal will give the Denver-based company instant exposure to a massive audience thanks to his presence on Twitter.

BOSTON GLOBE:

First-place Patriots rested for Steelers‎ - Associated Press
The Globe has an article from the AP on the fact that while the New England Patriots may not even be halfway through their schedule, but they're glad to be coming off their bye week as they prepare for a showdown of divisional leaders Sunday at Pittsburgh.

ON FOOTBALL: Brady has found Steel Curtain to be no barrier‎ - Greg Bedard
Bedard writes that Tom Brady hasn't had many problems against Pittsburgh's defense, having held a 6-1 record against them over his career which has included two AFC Championship wins.

On a pretty good run‎ - Monique Walker
Walker has an article this morning on BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who has been a solid contributor to the offense so far through six games.

NOTEBOOK: More work to do for Haynesworth‎ - Gary Washburn
Washburn files his notebook this morning, which leads off with a note on Albert Haynesworth where the defensive lineman claims he's feeling better and hopes to return to the same form he had when he was a dominate force in Tennessee.

“I feel fine, I just gotta keep working and get that rust off and get back to that form I was in Tennessee,’’ he said before yesterday’s practice. “I think we’re OK [as a defensive line]. Were on the up-and-up. I think we need to get better but I think we’re headed that way.’’

"My role has always been the same -- do what I got to do to help the team," Faulk said. " If I’m playing or if I'm on the sideline answering questions, I'll do it. My role now is just to practice and try to get better and try to get back on the playing field."

ESPN BOSTON:

Tackles: Chung on the move‎ - Mike Reiss
Reiss breaks down the tackle totals for the defense, and notes that Patrick Chung is rising on the tackles leaderboard and is averaging 7.6 per game.

MAILBAG: Continued success versus Steelers?‎ - Mike Reiss
Reiss files this week's edition of his mailbag, which discusses a variety of great topics including whether or not their streak of dominance will continue against the Steelers this week.

How does Faulk fit in RB mix?‎ - Chris Forsberg
Forsberg takes a look at New England's backfield and tries to figure out how Kevin Faulk may fit into the Patriots offensive mix.

NESN:

Albert Haynesworth Could Break Out With Physical Matchup Against Steelers - Jeff Howe
Howe writes that Patriots defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth has a chance to elevate his game this weekend against the Steelers, and feels his physicality could bring the best out of the 6-foot-6, 350-pounder.

WORCESTER TELEGRAM:

Patriots cornerback Kyle Arrington pick of defense‎ - Rich Garven
Garven writes that Devin McCourty and Leigh Bodden were expected to form one of the league’s top cornerback tandems, but have been burned more than a Yankee Candle, with Kyle Arrington so far being the bright spot in the secondary.

WEEI.COM:

Transition Game: Several positional battles still taking place - Christopher Price
Price takes a great look at some of the positional battles still going on with the Patriots at this point in the season.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis and the Patriots ready to pack a punch - Mike Petraglia
Petraglia has an article on Green-Ellis, who enjoyed the time off but is ready to get back to work.

“I guess rest is always good but at the same time, you have that urge to want to get back to football, get back to practice and right now, that’s where I’m at with it. I’m just anxious to get back on the practice field and continue to get better at the things needed to win,” he said.

Quick Kicks: Tue. 10-25 Practice/Locker Room Notebook - Erik Scalavino
Scalavino has notes from the locker room during New England's first day back, including the fact that linebacker Dane Fletcher was the only guy missing from practice on Tuesday.

Pre-snap motion key to Patriots' success‎ - Stats & Info
I stumbled across a good entry this morning that looks at some of the pre-snap things New England does that makes them so successful.

ATTLEBORO SUN CHRONICLE:

Leery of train talk‎ - Rick Foster
Foster has an article on the potential plans to increase commuter rail service to Foxboro by 2013.

METROWEST DAILY NEWS:

Pittsburgh WRs pose problems for the Patriots‎ - Glen Farley
Farley looks at the potential threat Pittsburgh's receivers may cause for the Patriots, with Rob Ninkovich commenting yesterday on Hines Ward and the respect he has for the veteran receiver.

"I respect him a ton," said Ninkovich. "I mean, he's been around for so long. Anybody who's played 14 years, you kind of look up to those guys because I can remember watching him as a kid and I looked up to those guys that have played so long. I think he's a great player. I've just got to watch out for him, watch out for those crack blocks."

ZOLAK: Steelers Should Throw - Jeff Oliver
Oliver has an interesting piece this morning with comments from 98.5 The Sports Hub's Scott Zolak, who gave his thoughts about Sunday's game in this piece.

PATRIOT LEDGER:

In Ward and Wallace, Patriots face some thunder and lightning in Steelers wide receiver corps - Glen Farley
Farley writes that there is a “thunder-and-lightning” aspect to the Steelers’ leading receivers, a duo the Patriots will face at Heinz Field on Sunday.

Q&A with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin‎ - Staff
This is the transcript between the New England media and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin that took place yesterday.

NORWICH BULLETIN:

Patriots go back to work after bye week‎ - Glen Farley
Farley has a piece syndicated in the Bulletin on the fact New England was back at work yesterday for the first time coming off the bye, including a comment from James Ihedigbo.

“Break time’s over,” Patriots safety James Ihedigbo proclaimed as the team returned to the practice field on Tuesday afternoon, “so (we’re) ready to get to work and get this thing rolling again.”