FOXBOROUGH -- Patriots coach Bill Belichick (10:45 a.m.) and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels (11:10 a.m.) held press conferences, while media members had access to the locker room (11-11:45 a.m.) this morning at Gillette Stadium. Here were a few nuggets of note:
1) Jerod Mayo in the spotlight. The Patriots' first-round draft choice has been on the field for every snap through the team's first two games, the only defender to do so. Mayo spoke with reporters about his early emergence, while Belichick touched on how Mayo has been consistent through six games -- four in the preseason, two in the regular season -- in showing "speed, range, toughness and playmaking ability." Mayo has been credited with 16 tackles by the team's coaches, the second highest total on the team.
2) Signs pointing to Benjamin Watson's return. Tight end Benjamin Watson, who has missed the first two games with a right knee injury, looks primed for a return. Watson spoke with reporters in the locker room today, which is often an indication that a player will suit up for the next game. Watson, who is not on the team's injury report, was asked how his knee has responded the last two days in full-pads practices. "Each day is better than the last one," he said.
3) Red-zone and goal-line a main focus today. Belichick explained that Fridays are usually a day in which the team focuses on the red-zone and goal-line. He relayed that he showed the team footage of other teams through the first two weeks of the season, such as Carolina's last-second victory over the Chargers, and the Broncos' win over the Chargers last week. Both games were decided by red-zone or two-point conversion plays. "Plays where the whole 59 minutes and 58 seconds comes down to one play," Belichick said. "Those are some of the things we do on Friday and talk about some of the other things going on in the league."
4) Where are Terrence Wheatley and Shawn Crable? Second-round draft choice Terrence Wheatley was inactive in Sunday's win over the Jets, while third-round pick Shawn Crable has been inactive for both games. Belichick was asked if both players have hit roadblocks in the learning curve. "No," he replied. "I think this is a good rookie class. I think they all work hard. They're all attentive. They've been out there on a consistent basis and they're getting better. I'd say Terrence and Shawn are smart guys, they work hard, and they're picking things up at a good pace. ... I think if you said this week we could activate 50 players instead of 45, the 50 we activated would all play."
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Strange that Wheatley wouldn't be active. I'd rather throw him into the fire in dime sets (with Merriweather as the other slot corner) and let him learn by playing. I would imagine his ability is right up there with Lewis Sanders.
i am dying to see shawn crable out on the field. he was fantastic in the preseason. he is going to replace rosevelt colvin's pass rushing on 3rd down. who knows maybe he'll become a stud in a few years when mike vrabel retires.
Where is John Lynch??? I'd rather see him out there than Wheatley. I know he's a saftey, but I'll take a veteran over a rookie any day. Are we going to ever re-sign Lynch??
I'm hoping that Jerod Mayo won't wind up hitting the rookie wall too soon in the season with all the snaps he's playing both now and in the pre-season.
The guys playing in games 1-6 are not always the ones playing in January. Let the young guys push for and earn playing time.
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