Quick hits
USA TODAY FOCUSES ON THE PATRIOTS: USA Today writes on the Patriots today, with the headline of the piece reading: "What's wrong in New England? Pats' bad luck keeps growing." The piece looks at some of the recent incidents of players on the team, and speaks to "experts" about what it means. "With success comes different expectations and a much brighter light is shined on the organization," says David Carter, executive director of the USC Sports Business Institute. "While the [Patriots'] brand might not be what it was a year or two ago, it can be very strong. It depends on how the owners [the Kraft family] deal with this and whether they have a forceful commitment to turning it around."
PATRIOTS HAVE POSITIONAL BATTLES THAT DRAW ATTENTION: NFL.com senior analyst Pat Kirwan identifies some of the main defensive battles between rookies and veterans across the NFL, and the Patriots show up twice. At inside linebacker, Victor Hobson vs. Jerod Mayo ranks at the top competition at inside linebacker. At cornerback, Jason Webster vs. Terrence Wheatley ranks fifth.
ROSEVELT COLVIN FOLLOW-UP: The Houston Chronicle follows up on Rosevelt Colvin's visit with the Texans on Wednesday. "We know he can rush the passer," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. "He brings a lot of maturity to your team from a standpoint that he's been on some great football teams and won a lot of games in this league, a very smart player who has played in a lot of places. I think he would bring some veteran leadership and accountability to our team." The Indianapolis Star also notes that Colvin remains a possibility for the Colts.
Mike -
In reference to the Kirwan article, wouldn't Mayo and Hobson be competing for different ILB positions? As in, Mayo at WILB and Hobson at SILB? From the early camps and practices so far, isn't that what we've seen and what we would expect given the reported strengths, weaknesses and physical makeup of the two?
Randy, you are correct based on what we've seen so far -- Mayo has been working at WILB and Hobson at SILB. So they could be on the field together, with Bruschi the third man in at either spot. Ultimately, the players will learn both spots because the ideal scenario is for them to be interchangeable. The SILB lines up over the tight end side and that means more of the runs usually come in that direction. Thus, the SILB is more of a take-on position, most often facing more combinations of blocks (runs that initially start to the other side will often cut back in that direction too). But if teams have two TEs on the field, playing at opposite ends of the line, it basically creates a situation where both inside linebackers are playing a SILB role. To sum it up, it's not a black and white situation where Mayo would solely be the WILB and Hobson would solely be the SILB. You want the players to know both roles.
--Mike
Mike - any clue why Kirwan listed Webster and not Bryant in the CB position battle?
BurkieinBoston, it could be that the writer in the article was looking more at the slot corner spot.
--Mike
I hope Colvin signs with the Texans. It would be tough seeing him play for Indy.
the patriots sound like the bengals in that USA today article
Kick out the criminals.
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