Saturday Patriots Headlines For October 30th
After taking a quick spin around the internet, here are today's headlines:
Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald has an article this morning on Vikings runningback Adrian Peterson, and feels this may be the toughest test of the season defensively against the rush for New England.
Rapoport also looks at some numbers other runningbacks have had this year against them, and up to this point they've done a decent job of shutting them down.
Rapoport has a story this morning on Darius Butler, who despite losing his starting spot as been making an impact in practice.
“Practice is a big deal,” Butler told the newspaper. “I’m helping the offense get a look, still trying to get better every day. Obviously, going against those guys, it’s good work for me and good work for them at the same time.”
“I’m always ready,” Butler said. “I go out in practice every day like I’m going to be a starter, because you never know what happens. You can be thrown in there in the mix at any time. Just be ready when my number’s called.”
Rapoport also had a quick entry yesterday on Wes Welker, who shaved off his beard as he apparently is planning on dressing up for halloween. Check out this entry to find out what he's planning on going out as.
The Herald's Karen Guregian is out in Minnesota covering the Vikings, and has a story this morning on Brett Favre's continued push toward trying to play Sunday despite a fractured ankle.
The Boston Globe reports that Patrick Chung, Vince Wilfork, and Matthew Slater all returned to practice on Friday. This is good news, especially with Chung - who many were concerned had suffered a serious knee injury during Sunday's win over San Diego.
The Globe also reports that Sergio Brown was given a four-year deal, which is good news as Brown has been a pretty good asset both defensively and in special teams.
Christopher Gasper has an article on Randy Moss, and talks about the impact his loss has had on New England's offense.
Gasper also has three keys for New England against Minnesota.
Monique Walker has a story on New England's secondary, and writes that they're ready for Sunday's match-up when Randy Moss lines up against them.
Wide receiver Deion Branch told the Globe that he hopes to stay in New England, telling the newspaper that he wants to retire a Patriot.
Mike Reiss reports that while Moss was never much of a fan of talking to the media here in Foxboro, his media silence in Minnesota just cost him $25,000.
Reiss also has an article on rookie Brandon Deadrick in his latest "Football Journey" entry.
Yesterday coach Josh Boyer spoke to the media, and had high praise for both Butler as well as McCourty. Boyer said that Butler's struggles were neither mental or physical, and for now the plan has just been to put the best guys on the field each week.
"I don't think it was a mental thing for anybody. I don't think it was a physical thing," Boyer responded. "The guys that we put out there are the guys we think are going to best help us."
NESN has a video this morning with former Patriots Max Lane and David Givens, who are both predicting a win by New England tomorrow.
Jeff Howe of NESN takes a look at the match-up between McCourty and Moss when the two face off tomorrow in Foxboro.
Michael Hurley of NESN has an article on Peterson, and wonders if he's currently the best runningback in the NFL.
That's it for this morning. Hope everyone has a great day and we'll see you tomorrow.
