Tedy declines fourth -and-2

Retired Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi, like everyone else, had his opinion on coach Bill Belichick's decision to go for it on fourth-and-2 from his own 28-yard line Sunday night in Indianapolis. "The decision to go for it would be enough to make my blood boil for weeks," Bruschi, now an analyst for ESPN, wrote on his ESPN.com blog. "I would look at this decision as a lack of confidence in our ability as a defensive unit to come up with a big play to win the game. "If I'm Jerod Mayo, Gary Guyton, Darius Butler, Jonathan Wilhite, Brandon Meriweather and Brandon McGowan, to name a few, I'm wondering why we weren't given the chance to do what we've been coached to do ever since the first day we practiced." Mayo responded to Bruschi's comments yesterday. "I have the ultimate respect for Tedy and everything he's done for this organization," Mayo said, "but he's not in this locker room at this point in time, so he doesn't know the feeling that this defense or this team has right now. We still have our confidence and our swagger, and we're going to go out Sunday and show the media, I guess. "We looked at it as a challenge," Mayo added. "People say it was a lack of confidence in us. But we looked at it as a challenge. We looked at it as coach having enough confidence in us to have a short field. Unfortunately, we were unable to step up to the challenge and get the job done. Hopefully, we can get it done this week." Edelman in good form Wide receiver Julian Edelman returned to action against the Colts after missing the previous two games with a broken forearm. Edelman had two receptions, including his first career touchdown catch that put the Patriots up, 24-7, in the second quarter. "I prepared all week like I was going to play," Edelman said, "and I just filled the role of what they wanted me to do. Whatever I can do to help the team is what I'm here to do." Edelman made his NFL debut against the Jets in Week 2. Subbing for an injured Wes Welker, he impressed with eight catches for 98 yards. "I remember we lost," Edelman said. "I had a couple catches here and there, filled the void, and helped the team out, but I'm looking forward to going back out there and getting the win this time." No stops on red The Patriots' offense, as we know, hasn't been great in the red zone this season. Neither has their defense. The New England defense ranks 28th in red-zone efficiency. The unit has yielded 13 touchdowns and four field goals in 20 possessions inside the 20-yard line. Peyton Manning and the Colts were 3 for 3 inside the red zone on Sunday. "The main goal of the defense is to keep teams from scoring, and we've been unable to do that," Mayo said. "Hopefully, we can turn it around the second half of the season. It's a lack of focus, I guess. Being a young defense, we have to keep everyone focused and make plays." Two big losses for Jets The Jets will be without running back Leon Washington and nose tackle Kris Jenkins for Sunday's rematch with the Patriots . A broken leg ended Washington's season. "You try to (replace him) and you have about five or six guys trying to replace him, do all the things he does," Jets coach Rex Ryan said. "It's really hurt our return game. He's also one of the most dangerous backs in the league when he's running with it as a receiver. He's a tough blocker. "When you look at the old games between the Jets and the Patriots , obviously, he was probably the No. 1 weapon that we had. He's been a huge loss for us." Jenkins, the 360-pound run-stuffer, landed on injured reserve after undergoing surgery for a torn ACL. Sione Pouha, who weighs a mere 325, has filled in for Jenkins. "I don't think you can replace a player like (Jenkins)," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said, "but I think Pouha's done a good job for them in there. Jenkins is a good player, don't get me wrong, but they're still pretty stout." Back at practice Defensive lineman Ty Warren (ankle) and wide receiver Sam Aiken (hip), who missed Wednesday's practice, were limited participants yesterday. Guyton (illness) and Moss (not injury related) were also at practice after sitting out Wednesday.