FOXBOROUGH -- Patriots coach Bill Belichick held his Wednesday press conference (10:50 a.m.) at Gillette Stadium. A few points of note:
Bills RB Marshawn Lynch ranks fifth in the NFL with 751 rushing yards, and is second in the league with 196 carries. While Lynch is hobbled by an ankle injury Sunday in Miami, Belichick said the Patriots are preparing as if he will play. "There is no rookie I have more respect for than what Lynch has done this year, in every phase of the game -- running, passing, blitz pickup."
Two tight ends on the roster. Belichick was asked about the Patriots' shortage at tight end, with only two on the active 53-man roster -- Kyle Brady and Benjamin Watson. He said it's an area the team must work around, and that there is some carryover with a physical slot receiver like Kelley Washington that could make it possible for him to contribute in a tight end-like role in the passing game. Belichick also pointed out that the team has used an offensive lineman or linebacker as a third tight end and that "we've probably gone into more games with two tight ends than three tight ends since I've been here."
Special teams in focus. "I think a real strength of this team [Bills] is the kicking game, they have outstanding specialists. They lead the league in punt returns, they're always up there in kickoff returns. [Brian] Moorman is a guy who can change field position in the punting game. He also does a great job punting the ball in plus-50 when backed up."
LOCKER ROOM LOOK: QB Tom Brady, OLB Mike Vrabel, ILB Adalius Thomas, WR Wes Welker and CB Ellis Hobbs were a few players drawing large media crowds in the locker room today. We'll pass along a few of Brady's thoughts later in the day.
lets look at Ricky Williams because we need a running back who will run and not dance between the tackles. This would be the perfect senerio for him. He, be worth a look see.
With regards to Ricky, who I will admit is an outstanding back, I don't know that Belichick, or the rest of the Patriots for that matter, would want to entertain the thought of bringing in a player with so much negative baggage. It's not like with Dillon, who just wanted to win and who may have been moody at times. By contrast, Ricky is a walking-talking head-case, with personal issues that run deeper than even Belichick would care to deal with.
It's a damn shame, because - as I've said - Ricky is an excellent running back whose hurt us on more than one occassion. If Belichick could get Ricky into the same mindset that Randy Moss has adopted, I think it would be the miracle mark of his career as a coach.
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.