Morris says his injury not season-ending

PLYMOUTH - Running back Sammy Morris expressed frustration yesterday that he is sidelined after gaining a career-high 138 yards against the Broncos Oct. 20, but he indicated his knee injury will not threaten the rest of his season.

Morris also cleared up what knocked him out of that game, indicating that the injury occurred at the end of his final carry - a 29-yard jaunt over the left side in the second quarter, when he was tackled by Broncos safety Calvin Lowry.

"Initially, I was pretty upset," Morris said yesterday after speaking to a group of students about nutrition at Plymouth South Elementary School. "Thankfully, I have my family, friends, and teammates that are helping me shift focus from the negative and look at the positive of coming back."

Morris declined to detail his injury or place a timetable on his return, instead using the words often spoken by coach Bill Belichick regarding injured players.

"Bill describes it [as] day to day and that's how I describe it. I'll be back ASAP," he said. "It's dealing with the unfortunate part of the game and I'm working my way back."

Morris, now in his ninth NFL season, was having his best day as a pro when he sustained the injury. He felt a nice chemistry was developing among all 11 players on the offense, which helped the running game break out.

"Statistically, it was my best game, and that was in one half of football, so it's encouraging, but at the same time, it's kind of a letdown to not be able to finish that game off," he said.

"When it's going like that, people might focus on my stats, but between [the offensive line], tight ends, fullbacks, and even Randy [ Moss] downfield, that's what is encouraging for a running back. We were over on the sidelines and Randy comes up to me and says things like, 'I was trying to do this on that block.' That type of stuff makes you feel good."

Morris's first-half performance was the springboard for the Patriots to total 257 rushing yards. Some of the runs were zone calls, which seem to suit some of Morris's strengths - patience, vision, and a decisive initial cut.

"I'm just trying to get downhill," said Morris. "I don't have speed like Laurence [Maroney], so I try to make my one cut and go and try to maximize the speed I do have. I like running behind our guys."

With Morris and LaMont Jordan (calf) sidelined Sunday against the Rams, the Patriots had just three healthy running backs: Kevin Faulk, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and Heath Evans. Belichick did not reveal yesterday whether Morris or Jordan would be ready for action Sunday at Indianapolis.

Morris wasn't surprised to see Faulk become the team's workhorse against the Rams; Faulk played 44 of 62 snaps (not including kneel-downs), and was on the receiving end of the winning 15-yard touchdown pass.

"That's just Kevin," he said. "I was watching the game and I didn't know that the play was in where he scored on the catch. As soon as I saw him out there and saw Matt [Cassel] throwing the ball, I was like, 'That's a touchdown.' You have that same feeling as when the ball is thrown up to Randy. That's how Kevin is as a player."

Rams raise a flag

The Patriots were not flagged for one accepted penalty in Sunday's win over the Rams, marking the first time in franchise history that had happened (an offensive holding call was declined). But Rams coach Jim Haslett felt it wasn't a penalty-free performance, and he has asked the NFL to review at least three plays.

Haslett told St. Louis reporters that the plays were a facemask on quarterback Marc Bulger, a late hit on Bulger, and an out-of-bounds hit on cornerback Fakhir Brown after an interception.

It is common for coaches to ask the league's officiating department to review penalties and plays on which they felt penalties should have been called. In terms of the actual process, coaches do not send videotape to the league office; they simply list the plays for which they are seeking an explanation because the league has video of games at its headquarters.

A sore spot?

The Patriots' injury-reporting procedures have been a hot-button topic in recent years, but Belichick seemingly attempted to redirect the spotlight onto other teams yesterday.

Asked during a conference call if he sees a difference in Peyton Manning because of the Colts quarterback's offseason knee surgery, Belichick said he sees the same player, "a great player."

Later, while answering a question on a different topic, Belichick rerouted and brought the discussion back to Manning.

"If I'm not mistaken, he hasn't been on the injury report all year, other than maybe one day right at the beginning of the season," Belichick said. "I'm not really sure what injuries you're talking about. He hasn't been listed on the report all year, so I'm assuming he's not hurt."

Manning, of course, missed all of training camp because of the knee injury.

While Belichick's comments might be seen as stoking the flames on what has become a fierce rivalry in recent years, he earlier lauded the Colts.

"We have a lot of respect for the Colts - Tony Dungy, Bill Polian, the organization, what they do and how well they consistently do it," Belichick said.

Oliver's story

The Patriots released veteran offensive lineman Oliver Ross, an indication that they are pleased with their depth at tackle. Ross opened the year on the non-football injury list with a collarbone problem and did not play in a game. He did not count against the 53-man roster limit . . . Free agent cornerback Fernando Bryant, who was with the Patriots in training camp, worked out with the Bills yesterday.