Thursday Patriots Headlines: September 9th

It's a new morning, and there are still no new updates regarding the Tom Brady contract situation. Yesterday he was interviewed three times, but the veteran quarterback continually made it clear that he's not thinking about what's going on behind the scenes with the negotiations. Instead Brady says
he's simply focused on getting ready for the Bengals and that's all he's thinking about right now.

During every one of those interviews yesterday he didn't budge from that stance, and one thing Brady said yesterday was that he doesn't assume anything anymore at this stage of his career, and it's an approach he's found has been a good one.

"I don't assume anything anymore in life," said Brady. "I don't think anything is guaranteed to us beyond what we have today and I really feel that way. That's the approach I've taken over the years, because you never really know when your last day will be. I really try to just take it one day at a time. I know it's a cliché and all that, but it's the truth.
"I think it's a great message for all of us: no matter what your job, you're living and enjoying today and that's what's most important to me.''

Monique Walker of the Globe has an article this morning on how Bill Belichick has handled his new role this season as he's spent more time working with the defensive players, as the Patriots are still without an official defensive coordinator and have one of the smallest staffs in the league.

Christopher Gasper of the Globe feels it's all on the line for Belichick this year, as even the greatest NFL coaches never won a championship past the age of 57, and at 58-years of age Gasper writes Belichick will have to buck history in order to bring glory back to Foxboro.

Ron Borges checks in with a column of his own, and feels that key decisions made by Belichick could prove to be "missteps" that could cost the team dearly this season.

Shalise Manza Young discusses the lack of leadership last season, with several players looking to fill those roles this season in the locker room.

Young also looks at the '06-'08 drafts and points out that of the 26 players selected, just eight remain with the football team and is one of the reasons why the team is being forced to rely on so many young players this year to step up and play well.

Albert Breer of the Boston Globe writes that whether the young guys are ready or not, they're going to be expected to play well and have a big presence on the field.

Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald agrees, and feels that it's time to "just let the kids play" as the team is about to field the youngest Patriots defense in more than a decade.

Glen Farley of the Patriot Ledger has an article on defensive lineman Kyle Love, who initially really wanted to play basketball. Luckily for Love his father steered him toward playing football, and up to this point it's worked out pretty well.

Christopher Price of WEEI.com writes that wide receiver Wes Welker actually likes the fact that the NFL umpires have been moved behind the offense, and out of his way as he tries to run routes.

Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald points out what's new this season with the Patriots and the stadium.

Andy Vogt of the Metrowest Daily News spoke with Darius Butler yesterday, and despite all of Chad Ochocinco's trash talking yesterday is ready to hang with the veteran this weekend and hopefully will be able to keep him from having a big afternoon.

Speaking of Ochocinco Belichick talked about thier relationship yesterday, with Mike Lowe of the Portland Press Herald writing that the two are friends, just not on Facebook, or "MyFace", nor does he follow him on Twitter.

Bob Ryan of the Globe has a column this morning on Belichick and feels that another title would be a perfect fit, although the article takes a bizarre turn at the end and makes you wonder if Ryan is/isn't a fan of the Patriots coach.

Rapoport has an interesting piece with a 2010 timeline, charting the time from the end of the season and pointing out all of the changes that have taken place this offseason to where they are now.

Jennifer Toland of the Worcester Telegram has an article on defensive lineman Ron Brace who returned to practice on Wednesday and hopes to play Sunday against the Bengals.

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe has an article this morning on the fact that CBS' "first team broadcasters" Phil Simms and Jim Nanz have spent a lot of time covering Patriots games in recent years thanks to New England's run of success, with Colts QB Peyton Manning even recently asking Simms if "he's bought a place here yet".

The Sacramento Bee out in California points out that there will be "Gronkowski's galore" this weekend, and hopefully one of them has a lot of success this Sunday in Foxboro.

That's it for this morning. Hope everyone has a good day and we'll have updates throughout this Thursday, so be sure to keep an eye on the front page of PatsFans.com for more later on.