Shawn Springs News

There's been a clear pattern to the way the Pats' pass defense has been going. First they concentrated on hitting--preventing the long breakaway plays that plagued them last year.

The Patriots were missing six players from the media portion of practice today. WR Julian Edelman, RB Fred Taylor, RB Sammy Morris, T Matt Light, CB Jonathan Wilhite and DL Jarvis Green were not seen.

The Pats aren't playing this weekend, which gives them a chance to look in the mirror.

Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather grabbed two interceptions within two minutes against Tampa Bay last week.

To wrap up the week, and head for the weekend ... One thing that's interesting about the way the Patriots have played defense this year is the developing rotation at corner.

Brandon Meriweather is starting to get noticed, though that's not hard to do when you pull in two interceptions in one game, including one for a touchdown.

The Patriots enter their bye week having beaten their last two opponents by an aggregate score of 94-7, one in a snowstorm, the other in a foreign land.

Adalius Thomas' benching took everyone by surprise and some believe it was a prelude to a bigger move at the trading deadline.

New England Patriots running back Sammy Morris will miss Sunday's game against the Buccaneers with a knee injury.

The intrigue began long before the Patriots were slated to board a plane and fly to Denver last night.

Brady and his receivers need to reconnect, get back into a groove, and ultimately work the long ball back into the mix.

As the team's offensive coordinator -- officially or unofficially -- for the past four seasons, he knows the Pats' plays, tendencies, hot reads, blocking schemes, strengths, weaknesses.

Just when you think you know a little something, you find out...you do. But sometimes it takes a poke in the eye with a sharp stick to bring this knowledge to conscious realization.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady doesn't have the sweetest memories of Denver. Can't blame him.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Fred Taylor are hopeful the running back's ankle surgery Thursday isn't season ending.

"We'll list him on the injury report weekly as we always do," Belichick said Friday when asked if Taylor will return this season.

Patriots [ team stats ] defenders don't doubt they face a challenge. Denver Broncos star receiver Brandon Marshall will stare down at them from across the line, like Terrell Owens, Jerricho Cotchery, Tony Gonzalez and Derrick Mason did before him.

Patriots cornerback Shawn Springs upends Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason on this touchdown catch, but the Patriots beat the Ravens, 27-21, on Sunday.

For the rest of the NFL, we present two facts on the New England Patriots. The good news: They can be had.

Bill Belichick, as you'd expect, was pretty upbeat as he met the media today. He said yesterday's game with Baltimore "like a lot of games, came down to a handful of plays." Among the topics Belichick was asked to touch on: * Pointing out to his team that referee Ron Winter's crew calls tight games, as they have the highest number of called ...