Notes and the Dolphins

Belichick and Dolphins coach Nick Saban have quite a history together. Saban was Belichick's defensive coordinator in Cleveland before moving on to coach Michigan St and LSU. There is no surprise then, when we look at the number of Patriots from LSU. Saban gave Belichick the scoop on several college players, mostly from the ACC and especially from LSU. The greatest example of this is undrafted CB Randall Gay. Saban specifidally called Belichick after the 2004 draft to let him know that Gay was a player. Shortly after he was signed to a free agent contract and the rest is history. For the last 5 offseasons prior to Saban going to the Dolphins, Belichick and Saban spent varying amounts of time locked away together critiqing each others game films. The fact that nobody knows Belichick's X's and O's better than Saban and vice versa makes Sunday's game all the more interesting.

Missing practice on Thursday wereWarren, Graham, Gay, Ashworth and of course, Seymour money.

ESPN's power rankings for this week:
Colts
Broncos
Pitt
Atlanta
Carolina
and the Pats at #14.

Here is a look at the 7 different starting secondary's the Pats have had to use in 8 games:

game 1 Samuel-Poole-Harrison-Wilson
game 2 Samuel-Gay-Harrison WIlson
game 3 Samuel-Starks-Harrison-Wilson
game 4 Samuel-Starks-GScott-Wilson
game 5 Samuel-Starks-GScott-Wilson
game 6 Samuel-Starks-Sanders-Wilson
game 7 Samuel-Starks-Freeman-Wilson
game 8 Samuel-Starks-Gay-Wilson
game 9 ? Benoit-Chase-Scieszka-Neves?
Seriously, game 9 might be Samuel-Poteat-Stone-Wilson


With one roster spot open, the Pats have worked out Defensive Backs: Rod Babers, Aaron Beasley, Terrell Buckley, and Mario Edwards. They may opt for Ray Ventrone from the practice squad.


Looking at Sunday's game, again it is hard to pick the Pats to win AT Miami.
The Pats went 14-2 last year and lost at Miami, remember? The year before when they went 14-2, it took a blocked FG and an 80 yard bomb in overtime to Troy Brown. (who?)
The Pats are weak up the middle against the run and Miami has 2 backs that they can pound up the middle in Ronnie Brown and Smokey Williams. There is no better remedy for an offense that struggles to throw (Miami) than a terrible secondary. Do you know of a terrible secondary? I do. (Samuel Poteat Stone Wilson)
The game will probably be won or lost on first down however. The Pats D is last in the league in yards allowed on first down. The Dolphins O is 7th in yards gained on first down. With Miami's good running game and a poor passing game, it will be imperative for the Pats to keep them in 3rd and long situations if they want to win this one.

I'm looking for the Pats to win by loading up the line of scrimmage and stopping the run. Pats 16-10.