- Joined
- Mar 13, 2005
- Messages
- 20,536
- Reaction score
- 1
http://www.boston.com/sports/footba...lfork_has_right_stuff_to_stop_the_run/?page=2
We now brace for the anti-Faulk whine-a-thon...:bricks:Belichick said the last two days were designed to focus on specific areas the team would like to improve, and one focus has been kickoff returns. The Patriots rank 18th in yards per kickoff return (22.2). ``We want our upfront line players to block better, our wedge players to be more aggressive, and the runners to run harder," said linebacker Don Davis, who plays on the front line . . . Linebacker Mike Vrabel said the Patriots' strength has been their ability to win games despite not playing to their best. ``Knowing how to win," he said, ``has been a key to our [4-1] start." . . . Belichick said the signing of punter Danny Baugher to the practice squad was to add depth at a position in which the Patriots only had one player (Josh Miller) suited up at training camp. Miller enters the bye week ranked eighth in the NFL in net punting (39.4) and 26th in average distance (43.4) . . . Kicker Stephen Gostkowski's seven touchbacks rank third in the NFL, behind Cleveland's Phil Dawson (9) and St. Louis's Jeff Wilkins (8). Gostkowski's strong kickoffs have helped the Patriots rank fifth in opponents' average drive start -- the 22.1-yard line . . . Kevin Faulk leads the NFL in punt-return average (13.5) . . . The Patriots' punt coverage team tops the league, allowing just 3.4 yards per return . . . The Patriots are 6 for 8 on fourth-down plays, with their eight plays the most of any team.