FOXBOROUGH - The Patriots may have to face the New York Giants, the NFL leaders in sacks with 52, without starting right tackle Nick Kaczur.
The team released its injury report yesterday and Kaczur (foot) was among three players not participating in practice. The others were tight end Kyle Brady, who missed last Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins with an ankle injury, and fullback Kyle Eckel, who injured his stomach on kickoff coverage during the second quarter of the Patriots' 28-7 win over the Dolphins.
The Patriots have played the last three games, and seven games this season, without right guard Stephen Neal, who has been troubled by a shoulder injury and had limited participation in practice yesterday. But Kaczur has started all 15 games at right tackle.
The options to replace the third-year tackle are second-year tackles Wesley Britt and Ryan O'Callaghan. Britt made his only career start last season, against the Cincinnati Bengals, and O'Callaghan started six of the first seven games last season before ceding to Kaczur, who was recovering from a shoulder injury.
O'Callaghan replaced Kaczur for a series during the Patriots' 48-27 win over the Dallas Cowboys Oct. 14. Kaczur had moved to left tackle to spell an ailing Matt Light. O'Callaghan surrendered a sack to Cowboys Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware.
Even with Kaczur in the lineup, the Patriots, who have surrendered 20 sacks, the fifth fewest in the league, are in for a challenge against the Giants, who boast defensive linemen Osi Umenyiora (13 sacks), Justin Tuck (10 sacks), and Michael Strahan (nine sacks). The Giants tied the NFL record for sacks in a game (12) earlier this season against Philadelphia. Umenyiora had six in that game.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had joked on Wednesday that Giants coach Tom Coughlin should rest those players for the playoffs.
"I wouldn't mind that, either, to be quite honest with you," said Light, with a grin. "But I'm sure they're going to have to play those guys at some point, and I'm sure it's going to be a situation where they're going to be prepared to play our guys and we're going to be prepared to play those guys, and we'll see how it all unfolds."
Light said the Patriots' offensive line knows what it is up against.
"I think they're a really physical defense, and with the guys they have up front and the style in which they play, they like to get after you and blitz you a lot," he said. "They got guys up front that are very adept in their pass-rush skills. It's going to be a physical game, I'm sure."
Chad Brown released
The Patriots released veteran linebacker Chad Brown, clearing a spot on the 53-man roster. Brown, 36, was active for two games, registering two special teams tackles. He was re-signed Nov. 27, the same day the Patriots placed starting outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin on injured reserve with a foot injury. However, Brown was only active for one game since being re-signed, playing on special teams in the Patriots' 20-10 win over the New York Jets Dec. 16.Brown was cut in training camp but was re-signed Sept. 12 and played in New England's 38-14 win over the San Diego Chargers Sept. 16, but was released Oct. 10.
Brown's release could be a harbinger for a practice squad promotion today. With Eckel hurt, leaving the Patriots with only three healthy running backs, wide receiver Bam Childress could merit consideration. Childress played running back and carried the ball during the exhibition season.
In a zone
The Patriots always say they want to be playing their best football at the end of the season and one area where that is certainly the case is red-zone defense. New England has risen from 32d to 21st in the league the last three weeks and hasn't allowed a touchdown in its last nine red-zone situations."I think we've played a lot better since the bye week, really," said coach Bill Belichick. "That's made a big difference, keeping teams out of the end zone. We've played better run defense, better pass defense, fewer penalties, less mental errors. The team has really worked hard on that. When you're ranked last in the league in an area and you have pride in your performance, that's something that you want to address.
"They've worked hard on it in practice and we've made some plays in the game. Sometimes that extra whatever, extra effort, extra preparation, extra concentration makes a little bit of difference, and you have a play that you might not have had two months ago. They're the ones that make the plays, they're the ones that deserve the credit."
Inside job
After having a walkthrough Wednesday, the Patriots practiced inside the Dana-Farber Field House in shoulder pads and helmets. Six players were listed on the injury report as having limited participation: Neal, defensive back Willie Andrews (elbow), safety Rodney Harrison (thigh), tight end Benjamin Watson (left ankle), guard Billy Yates (foot), and obligatorily, Tom Brady (right shoulder) . . . Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress had limited practice participation for the second straight day, an indication the Giants aren't going to rest regulars. Burress has practiced sparingly all season. The only change to the Giants' injury report was defensive tackle Manny Wright returning to practice on a limited basis . . . Patriots quarterback Matt Gutierrez, safety Ray Ventrone, and practice squad cornerback Antwain Spann wore black jerseys at practice, signifying their status as practice players of the week.
