Mid-Week Notes

The Patriots have made a bunch of roster moves over the last couple of days, here is the low-down as far as I can tell:

Released: Wesley Mallard LB & Andre Davis WR
(that means the 5th round pick they gave for Davis was a waste)

Injured Reserve: Rodney Harrison S
(He's out for the year, but there may be hope for Light who is not on IR)

Signed: Amos Zereoue RB & Mike Stone S
(Mruczkowski OL was re-signed to the practice squad)

The Zereoue signing was an indication that the injury o Faulk was pretty serious. Yesterday we learned that he will be out up to 8 weeks. Speaking of injuries, here is the Pats injury report for Sunday's game v. Chargers:


Kevin Faulk RB Out Foot

Matt Light T Out Leg

Tully Banta-Cain LB Questionable Knee

Randall Gay CB Questionable Ankle

Brandon Gorin T Questionable Thigh

Marquise Hill DE Questionable Ankle

James Sanders S Questionable Ankle

Duane Starks CB Questionable Thigh

Tyrone Poole CB Questionable Ankle

Chad Scott CB Questionable Shoulder

Tom Brady QB Probable Right Shoulder

Once again, the injuries to the secondary are a major concern, but maybe more so is the injury that no one talked about - Marquise Hill. It's hard to play the dominating 4-3 Defense without a sub on the D line. Hill provides quality depth at DL and his injury might force a 3-4 alignment this week unless the Pats want to play Mike Wright or Dan Klecko.

Here are some interesting numbers from Mike Reiss:
As if we weren't already convinced that Brady's the best

21 -- The number of receptions by Deion Branch through three games, second among all AFC receivers. Denver's Rod Smith is the AFC leader (22). Branch’s reception total is tied for fifth in the NFL.

31 -- Consecutive games played in which Deion Branch has recorded at least one reception.

78 -- The number of completions by Tom Brady through three games, leading the NFL. Philadelphia’s Donovan McNabb ranks second with 77 completions.

948 -- The number of passing yards for Tom Brady through three games, ranking second in the NFL. McNabb leads all passers with 964 yards.

43 -- The number of passing first downs earned by Tom Brady through three games, ranking third in the NFL. St. Louis’ Marc Bulger and McNabb are tied for the lead with 45 first downs.

4 -- The number of rushing touchdowns by Corey Dillon through three games, ranking second in the AFC behind San Diego’s LaDainian Tomlinson (6 touchdowns). Dillon’s total is tied for third in the NFL with Chicago’s Thomas Jones and Carolina’s Stephen Davis, behind Tomlinson (6) and Seattle’s Shawn Alexander (5).

11.0 -- The average number of yards per punt return for Tim Dwight (9 returns, 99 yards), ranking second in the AFC. As a team, the Patriots averaged 5.8 yards per return in 2004.

1 -- The ranking of the Patriots’ pass offense among all AFC teams. New England has averaged 300.3 passing yards per game this season. The Patriots rank second in the NFL, trailing only the Philadelphia Eagles.

1 -- Tom Brady’s ranking among AFC passers in yards (948), completions (78) and passing attempts (123).

65 -- Consecutive games in which Tom Brady has started at quarterback.

57 -- Consecutive games in which Matt Light has started at left tackle, a streak in jeopardy after he suffered an injury in Sunday’s game.

34 -- Consecutive field goals made by Adam Vinatieri of 47 yards or fewer


If any of your friends are into Sport, tell'em you heard it here at the Pats Report!