Hobbs hobbles Evans

FOXBOROUGH -- As the final seconds wound down in the Patriots' 19-17 victory over the Bills yesterday, coach Bill Belichick was congratulating his players on the sideline, and he spent some extra time with cornerback Ellis Hobbs.

Attempting to limit the big-play capability of Bills receiver Lee Evans, the Patriots called on Hobbs the way they used to with former cornerback Ty Law. Instead of having Hobbs stay on one side, he was told to follow Evans wherever he lined up.

The results were impressive. Evans, who has 16 touchdowns in his first two seasons while averaging 16.5 yards per catch, finished with two receptions for 25 yards.

``Whenever you have your boss tell you great job, it makes you feel good," said the 5-foot-9-inch, 190-pound Hobbs. ``For the coaches to give me some action like that, it shows they have a lot of faith in me. I have to make them believe even more."

Hobbs, a third-round pick in 2005, admitted his eyes opened wide when he first saw the game plan.

``My first thought was this is what I've been waiting for. A cornerback worth anything wants those type of games, regardless of if you're getting help or no help, you're on that guy all day, their top guy."

The 5-10, 197-pound Evans felt Hobbs was able to take some risks in the first half because he had safety help over the top. ``He was in there trying to bang me, driving me off my routes, frustrating me a bit," said Evans. ``He did a good job rerouting me."

Although he made a late push to play in the season opener by participating in practices Thursday and Friday, linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who is recovering from a broken right wrist, was inactive. ``In the end, we didn't think he was ready," said Belichick.

Mike Vrabel played alongside Junior Seau at inside linebacker in Bruschi's absence.

In addition to Bruschi, receivers Chad Jackson and Doug Gabriel; tight end Garrett Mills; offensive linemen Gene Mruczkowski and Nick Kaczur; and defensive linemen Marquise Hill and Johnathan Sullivan were inactive.

With Gabriel and Jackson out with hamstring injuries, the team had just three receivers dressed: Troy Brown (2 catches, 18 yards, TD), Bam Childress (no catches), and Reche Caldwell (2 catches, 33 yards). When the Patriots went to their spread offense, running back Kevin Faulk and tight ends Daniel Graham and Benjamin Watson were sometimes split wide to offset the lack of wideouts.

Rookie Stephen Gostkowski hit his only field goal attempt, from 32 yards, while adding two extra points and driving four kickoffs into the end zone. ``It's always good to get the first one, that's always the toughest one," said Gostkowski. ``The regular season has so much more pressure, with the way the fans get into it more." . . . The victory was Belichick's 100th career regular-season win. He is 100-77 lifetime in the regular season and became the 31st coach in the NFL's 87-year history to reach the 100-win mark. He is 64-33 as Patriots coach in the regular season, making him the franchise's winningest coach in victories and winning percentage . . . The Patriots were flagged for just one penalty, for having 12 men in the huddle in the first quarter . . . Punter Josh Miller had a strong day, with four attempts for a 45.8-yard average and a 40.8-yard net . . . The Patriots totaled 183 rushing yards and 136 net passing yards, marking the first time since Dec. 5, 2004 the team had more rushing than passing yardage in a game. The 183 rushing yards were the most by the team in a season opener since 1985 (208 against the Packers) . . . Defensive end Ty Warren's safety in the fourth quarter was the Patriots' first since Dec. 7, 2003 . . . Tom Brady is 23-3 as a starter in games decided by 6 points or fewer, and 15-3 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

When the Patriots released former Bills receiver Jonathan Smith the day before yesterday's opener, a few Buffalo players took notice. ``My first reaction was that they did him kind of dirty," said cornerback Terrence McGee. ``But then I saw him in the hallway outside of the locker room before the game, so maybe they'll re-sign him." . . . The Bills were without linebacker Takeo Spikes for most of the game with what he said was a mild hamstring pull. Buffalo also lost safety Troy Vincent (hamstring) for most of the game, while quarterback J.P. Losman (knee) was hobbling in the locker room after playing the entire contest . . . Bills defensive end Aaron Schobel recorded one sack, improving his career total to 8 1/2 against Brady, the most of any player . . . Bruschi, Brady, Brown, Vrabel, safety Rodney Harrison, linebacker Larry Izzo (special teams), and defensive lineman Richard Seymour were elected team captains. They were captains in 2005, too . . . With Gary Glitter's theme music not being used after touchdowns, the Patriots cued up U2's ``Elevation" after they scored a TD. Following the extra point, the ``1812 Overture" was played.