Dark day as Light is placed on IR

FOXBOROUGH -- There must have been a secret visit from a healer in the night, for when the Patriots ended practice yesterday, an injury list that has been in double digits for most of the season, including as late as last Friday, was suddenly reduced to just two names.

Apparently the healer didn't get to Matt Light in time, as the left tackle was placed on injured reserve after weeks of trying to come back from a broken right fibula.

It is unknown whether the Patriots will fill Light's roster spot. They worked out linebacker/special teamer Tommy Hendricks, a former Dolphin and Jaguar, Monday.

The only other player on the Patriots' injury list was quarterback Tom Brady, who was listed as probable (shoulder), even though he limped into the locker room with a tender knee/shin.

Except for Light, all Patriots were present and accounted for at practice.

Last Friday's list had Tom Ashworth (knee), Brady (shoulder/shin), Corey Dillon (calf), Heath Evans, Kevin Faulk (foot), Daniel Graham (shoulder), Artrell Hawkins (thigh), Bethel Johnson (pelvis), Nick Kaczur (shoulder), Patrick Pass (hamstring), Asante Samuel (infection), Michael Stone (ankle), and Benjamin Watson (head) listed as questionable. Light was doubtful last week.

The Patriots' training staff must have had a heck of a week.

Tuning out

The Patriots and Jets will play the final Monday night game on ABC. Belichick was asked the significance of it.

''That's a very interesting question that you pose," he said. ''In 1970, I was still in high school, and the early Monday night games in college, and that was a big thing because we'd do anything not to study in college. We needed a good excuse and 'Monday Night Football' was that. It seemed like the matchups were always good, or at least they marketed it such that it was not only competitive, but entertaining as well. That was my memory of it. To think now that chapter of the book is closing and that we're a part of that . . . "

Changing his stripes

Hawkins, like Dillon, spent many years with the Bengals and endured some terrible teams. When the Patriots clinched the AFC East title last Saturday against Tampa Bay, Hawkins was clearly more emotional than some of his teammates.

''It was exciting to clinch the division and it was just the tip of the iceberg, but it was something I hadn't experienced," said Hawkins. ''The first winning record in eight years. One of my favorite sayings is pound the rock and you'll get what you want. It's very satisfying, just like it was for Corey last year. I'm Corey a year later."

Dry response

With a ban on alcohol at the Meadowlands Monday night, Jets coach Herm Edwards isn't expecting any problems from what might be a hostile crowd. ''I think sometimes that gets a little blown out of proportion," he said. ''I think fans are fans and I think our fans are very, very good. You get a couple fans maybe with some incidents. That is one thing you don't want to do. You don't want to mar our game with your emotions and getting mad and throwing things on the field. That is emotions, that is all that is. It is not fan behavior. It is just emotions." . . . Jets center Pete Kendall, a Weymouth native, said the Patriots' defensive line is playing up to its potential at the right time. ''That's an impressive group," he said. ''They've gone and shown in the last few weeks that there's absolutely nothing wrong with the Patriots' defensive line. That's probably the strength of their team right now, besides No. 12 [Brady]."