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By Mike Reiss, Globe Staff December 5, 07 08:45 AM

Coming off a Monday night win in Baltimore, the Patriots have altered their practice schedule this week. The big change comes today. The team is not scheduled to practice, and instead will follow a normal "Monday-like schedule."

Players will still be present at Gillette Stadium, but the focus will be more on conditioning in the weight room, as well as on film breakdown.

Coach Bill Belichick made the point on his regularly scheduled radio interview on WEEI this week: "We're a tired team right now. We're a tired team. We played three consecutive night games and three of our last four games we've come from behind in the fourth quarter to win. I think we need to try to find a way to get some energy back."

Wednesday is usually the hardest work day of the week for players. That is when they get the game-plan, and in recent weeks, Belichick has still had the team in full pads on Wednesdays for full contact work, with a focus on first and second down.

This week, the team will presumably push that work into Thursday, meaning a normal four days of practice will be condensed into three.

Today's media schedule:

  • 11 a.m. -- Bill Belichick conference call
  • 12:10 p.m. -- Steelers player conference call
  • 12:45 p.m. -- Steelers coach Mike Tomlin conference call

    We'll plan on passing along some updates along the way.

  • 3 comments so far...
    1. Typically how tired do you think a football team is before they actually admit it? I'm sure all 32 are a bit worn, especially the Week 3 bye teams, but for Belichick to say that openly is interesting. Randy Moss said something similar as well.

      Posted by Matt December 5, 07 09:35 AM
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    1. The fact that they are tired due to three prime time games is a good point. I am hoping this was the reason for the poor tackling on Monday night.

      Posted by Pete December 5, 07 10:22 AM
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    1. Fatigue does appear to have been a factor in the poor D-line play vs. the Eagles and Ravens, but do you think lackluster and ill-timed coaching schemes also have played a role? Lately the down 3 seem out of position on a lot of early downs, making it far easier for the opposition to push them around.

      Posted by Conall Ryan December 5, 07 10:22 AM
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