Thursday Patriots Headlines

It's finally time for an actual game, as the Patriots and Saints will square off tonight in an exhibition game at Gillette Stadium. Here are today's headlines, along with today's PatsCast Daily Video Report. The date in the title of the video is incorrect - it is actually a report for the "12th", which is this morning.

NOLA.com writes that after watching these two teams practice over the past couple of days, they're both mirrors of perfection - and that it's no wonder they've combined to win four of the past nine Super Bowls.

Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe writes that the two days of workouts were quite productive, with head coach Bill Belichick saying earlier this week that, "I thought [Tuesday's] practice was probably one of the most productive practices I think I've been a part of in my career."

Mark Farinella of the Attleboro Sun Chronicle also has a good look back at this week's joint sessions, which may make tonight's game a little 'crisper' due to the fact that they both practiced fairly well over the past couple of days.

Glen Farley of the Patriot Ledger takes the first look at the 53-man roster we've seen from a media member since camp opened (there were plenty prior to that being written), and offers his take on how he feels it may shape up.

If you're a fan of the Madden NFL video games, you'll be even more of a fan now. Monique Walker of the Boston Globe writes that after Jon Robinson of ESPN.com played a simulated season three times - and each time it ended with a Patriots championship.

Karen Guregian has an article this morning on Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss, and gives an "inside look at what makes the veteran receiver go".

Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald has five things to watch in tonight's Patriots/Saints exhibition game, as does Russ Goldman who has five reasons of his own.

Christopher Price of WEEI.com also has a piece on what to watch in tonight's game, one of which includes tight end Aaron Hernandez - who had a really great week of practice.

Mike Reiss has 10 Things to Watch in tonight's game, one of which will be the play of rookie linebacker Brandon Spikes.

If you're looking for an "opposing view" of tonight's game, WWL out of New Orleans has a good preview of the Saints, and also touches on a couple of things for the Patriots also.

Rapoport also has an article on the Patriots secondary, who are still trying to work out the kinks in their communication. He also has an article on whether or not we'll see Wes Welker tonight, with Belichick offering up nothing more than "I don't know" when asked yesterday about it.

Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com has an article on Fred Taylor, who he feels despite his age may actually be the best runningback on New England's roster.

In case you missed it, the Patriots will have one of their preseason games broadcast in 3D, with an announcment yesterday coming that the team's matchup against the New York Giants will be broadcast in that format for anyone who owns a 3D set and the necessary glasses. For now it will only be carried by Verizon Fios - but they will be holding two events for fans to check it out if they'd like.

Tom Brady recently called his offensive lineman a bunch of "fat cows", and Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald writes that Brady admits it wasn't his finest moment.

Michael Felger spoke with Chris Price last night, and says that after another recent Michael Silver column, "even the biggest footy-pajama fan" needs to admit the fact there was a rift between Brady and the team regarding his contract report.

Michael Hurley of NESN.com says that all the Brady contract speculation is no longer worth anyone's time, and that with things clearly no longer as bad as they were made out to have been - it's time to move on.

The program Hard Knocks which is focused on the New York Jets this year aired last night, but The New York Post has an article on the fact Patriots players have claimed they have no interest in watching it.

Kirk Minihane of WEEI.com has a great diary from the show last night, so if you missed it he breaks it down pretty well.

PRACTICE NOTES FROM WEDNESDAY:

Wheatley Stands Out for Second Straight Day - Providence Journal
Patriots Post-Practice Quotes - Patriots.com
Wednesday AM Practice Notes - Patriots.com
Practice #22 Observations - ESPNBoston.com
Training Camp Report from Wednesday - WEEI.com
Practice Notes, Day 12 Session 1 - Boston Herald
Quick Hits from Session #22 - Boston Globe