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Tuesday's New England Patriots Links 8/23

Ian Logue
Ian Logue on Twitter
Aug 23, 2011 at 9:31am ET

Here are this morning's top stories:

Rich Garven of the Worcester Telegram has his notes for this morning, which leads off with the fact that Patriots defensive lineman Vince Wilfork has put the Miami scandal where he supposedly took improper gifts behind him.

Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald also has an article on Wilfork, who seems excited about the opportunity to finally have a chance to make plays in this new 'attacking' style of defense.

Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe also has a notebook that leads off with the same topic, with the big defensive lineman ready to move past it and is focused on getting ready for Detroit.


“It’s tough, but you know what - I released a statement a couple of days ago, whatever it was, and that’s what I met with,’’ Wilfork said. “I’ve moved forward, I’m done with that situation, and you know, what I’m just focused on is my football career and one thing I don’t want to do is be a distraction to this team, to this organization, and I won’t be that.


“My teammates stuck behind me 100 percent, my family, the organization, so I’ve moved forward. I’m definitely [looking toward playing the] Lions now and it feels good to be around a great group of guys. It feels real good.’’


Ian Rapoport also has video from yesterday's interview with Wilfork here.


Young also has a great article this morning on the defense, with Devin McCourty mentioning yesterday that the pressure from the guys up front should make the job of the secondary much easier.

“Those guys have been doing a great job up front,’’ cornerback Devin McCourty said. “The pass rush and the secondary, they go hand in hand.


“We can’t be a good secondary without a good pass rush, and they can’t be good at getting after the quarterback if we can’t cover anybody. So I think as good as we can be in both areas, it will help the defense and the team out.’’


Jeff Howe of NESN.com also writes that this defensive unit is extremely excited in what they have the potential to do as a group after seeing the success they've had through two games.

Tom Layman of the Boston Herald has an article on McCourty, who isn't interested in being the 'same' player he was last year.  He wants to be better.

Layman also has an article on Garrett Mills' second tour of duty here with the Patriots.

Mike Reiss has more on Mills and how he fits in with New England's offense.

Christopher Price of WEEI.com writes that the Patriots are now shifting their focus away from Training Camp, and more on preparing for the regular season.

Price also has a good article on the defense, noting that New England’s third-down defense was absolutely atrocious last season.

Shira Springer of the Boston Globe has an informative take on the court appearance by Albert Haynesworth on Monday, where the defensive lineman plead 'no contest' to the sexual assault charges against him.  Haynesworth reportedly will serve 160 hours of community service, which will also include review hearings.  An interesting note at the end of this piece where his lawyer scheduled one around the Super Bowl - just in case the Patriots end up playing in it.


Gerry Callahan has a scathing take on Haynesworth, and writes that thanks to yesterday's ruling, the defensive lineman is now free to resume 'not practicing' here in New England.

NESN has a video segment on Haynesworth, with The Boston Globe's Shalise Manza Young and Greg Bedard appearing on NESN Daily on Monday night to discuss his potential impact here with the team. It was an interesting take from both and you may want to check it out.

Mike Reiss looks at 5 Players who have made good impressions so far through camp, and 5 others who have been disappointing so far - which includes Jermaine Cunningham and Ron Brace.

Mark Farinella of the Attleboro Sun Chronicle has an article on Stephen Gostkowski and feels that he should benefit greatly by what we've seen during the kickoffs this preseason.  The Patriots have had Gostkowski strictly kicking field goals so far through two games, deferring the kickoffs to Chris Koepplin, most likely as a precaution. However it's expected that he'll take over the kickoff duties once the final roster cuts are made, and Farinella writes it should be 'too darn easy' for the veteran kicker.

Glen Farley of EnterpriseNews.com has an article this morning on Nate Solder, who has impressed fellow teammate Logan Mankins with his play so far this season.

Ian Rapoport also has an article on Mankins, who after reviewing film of himself during the Buccaneers game sees that there is still room for improvement.

Jeff Howe of NESN notes that Taylor Price and Ras-I Dowling returned to practice yesterday, while Gary Guyton missed his first session so far during this training camp.

Howe also has a good article on Rob Ninkovich, who he writes continues to show his versatility with the Patriots.

Ron Borges has a great column this morning on receiver Tyree Barnes, who apparently chased pirates during his time in the Navy.  There's also a terrific photo of Barnes, who is on the cover of the paper as a 'True Patriot'.

The Detroit Free Press has a quick entry on Tom Brady and his recent comments on Lions defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh, where he noted how dangerous of a player he is.  Anyone who has 'kong' in their name should always be feared - but that's just my opinion.

Greg Rosenthal of ProFootballTalk.com had Tom Curran on as a guest for PFT Live on Monday afternoon, and had an interesting discussion about Brady.   During the interview Rosenthal wonders why Brady isn't more 'loved' by the people in this region, and feels that fans may be taking him for granted.

And finally, the Foxboro Patch has an article on tonight's 2nd annual comedy benefit for Mosi Tatupu's Memorial Scholarship fund, which will take place down in Foxboro this evening.  It sounds like tickets may still be available, so be sure and check it out.

That's it for this morning.  Be sure and check the front page of PatsFans.com throughout the day for updates from both myself and the other guys, as well as up to the minute headlines from all the top media outlets here in New England - which are located there as well.


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