New England Patriots Notes, Quotes
by Sports Xchange
The Patriots have also won eight consecutive December games since 2006 and went undefeated during that final month in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007.
--Likewise, the Patriots are practically unbeatable following a loss.
Since 2003, they are 17-1 following a loss, with the only setback coming in 2006, which also marks the only stretch in which they've lost consecutive games during this same time period.
That 17-1 mark includes a 4-0 record this season following a loss, which may be good news as the team heads to Seattle on the heels of a deflating 33-10 loss to Pittsburgh.
--Another statistic on the Patriots' side this week is their record against NFC competition in recent years.
Since 2001, they are 29-5 against opponents from the other conference, including a 3-1 record in Super Bowls. Also, they've won 13 consecutive regular-season games against NFC teams dating back to 2005. Sunday is the first of two games against NFC teams remaining on their schedule, culminating with a Dec. 21 showdown at home against the Arizona Cardinals.
--With Adalius Thomas and now Pierre Woods suffering from injuries, the Patriots brought back an old friend by re-signing outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin, who was cut by Houston during the preseason.
"It's mixed emotions," Colvin said. "It's a good opportunity to come back and see people I have some history with, a good chance to run around, play football for a couple games. I have some personal situations I'm dealing with, but it's what I've known in my life for the last 14 years.
"Like I said, either way I would have been fine, not getting an opportunity or getting an opportunity. I'm thankful for it, so hopefully I can produce and some good things will come out of it."
--Wide receiver Wes Welker hasn't received an apology from Ryan Clark for the vicious hit the Pittsburgh safety laid upon him in Sunday's game and doesn't expect one either.
"It's a football play. It is what it is. No sense in crying or whining about it. You just have to keep on moving on and get ready for the next week."
Welker doesn't expect to be the hit to affect his performance down the stretch.
"You just have to do your job," he said. "You're going to take hits, and you have to make sure you're bouncing back and getting ready the next time, and hopefully have some better luck the next time you go across the middle."
--The Patriots are still doing pretty well in the Pro Bowl voting despite their recent struggles.
Wide receiver Randy Moss, fullback Heath Evans, guard Logan Mankins, linebacker Tedy Bruschi, left tackle Matt Light and special teamer Larry Izzo are all ranked among the top five at their respective positions.
Bruschi's fourth in the voting despite not playing on every down while Izzo and Light are third in special teams and left tackle, respectively -- the highest-rated players from New England on any ballot.
--Defensive coordinator Dean Pees has called the last two games from the press box, not on the sidelines, and said the transition has made a difference in how quickly the Patriots are able to process personnel and other information.
"It seemed to work out pretty well in Miami, so we tried it again this last week, and it's going to be a week-to-week thing based on what the other team does," Pees said. "You can actually see the game better, and see the problems and things like that develop easier from up there than you can on the sideline.
"You don't have to have somebody tell you."
BY THE NUMBERS: 4 -- Catches WR Wes Welker needs to reach 200 in his Patriots' career, becoming the 15th player in franchise history to do so.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm not giving up a home game, unless our fans vote for us to do so." -- Patriots owner Robert Kraft, on the team playing in London next year without sacrificing one of its eight home games.
advertisement
