| Newsbreakers |
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| The Patriots have announced that quarterback Tom Brady will not return to action on Sunday against the Chiefs, the Boston Globe reports. Brady injured his left leg in the first quarter. Matt Cassel has taken his place. |
Our View: We can only hope that we get some sort of true update in the coming days. Bill Belichick will probably dodge any questions that come up in the post-game. |
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| If the first half is any indication, the Patriots backfield is going to be a nightmare for fantasy leagues. The offense threw the ball every time on the first drive, Laurence Maroney handled the second drive, Sammy Morris came in for the third drive, and LaMont Jordan came on for the fourth drive. Oh, and Heath Evans also had a carry. |
Our View: Ugh. We didn't even mention Kevin Faulk, who will no doubt catch his share of passes this year. Bill Belichick may go overboard in his efforts to keep Maroney's legs healthy for December and the postseason. |
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| Cornerback Ellis Hobbs III appeared to injure his leg during the first quarter of the season opener, but he returned later in the first half, the Boston Globe reports. |
Our View: The Patriots can ill afford to lose any of their cornerbacks. This is good news for their defense. |
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| Tom Brady's return is considered questionable after he injured his left leg in the first quarter against the Chiefs. Matt Cassel has entered the game. |
Our View: It's pretty rare for a return to be anything but questionable when a telecast updates an injury. |
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| Tom Brady had to be helped off the field in the first quarter Sunday with a knee injury. |
Our View: We don't want to speculate on his status, but it looked bad enough that he probably won't return today. Check back for updates. |
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| As expected, quarterback Tom Brady (foot) is active for Week 1 against the Chiefs. |
Our View: Brady wasn't even on the injury report, so fantasy owners shouldn't have had anything to worry about. We just wanted to confirm his status, though. |
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| Along with tight end Ben Watson, the Patriots inactives for Week 1 are wide receiver Sam Aiken, linebacker Shawn Crable, offensive tackle Wesley Britt, offensive lineman Dan Connolly, wide receiver C.J. Jones, defensive lineman Le Kevin Smith, and quarterback Kevin O'Connell. |
Our View: Move along. Nothing to see here. Watson was the interesting news. |
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| Tight end Ben Watson will not play in Week 1 due to a knee injury, ESPN confirms. He was listed as doubtful. |
Our View: David Thomas is expected to start in Watson's place, but fantasy owners shouldn't count on him unless you have an especially large or deep league. Tom Brady is just as likely to throw a touchdown to Mike Vrabel. |
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| Stephen Gostkowski returned to practice Friday after sitting out Thursday (with a non-injury related issue), according to the Boston Globe. |
Our View: Gostkowski is a No. 1 fantasy kicker and should be penciled into lineups Sunday in the home opener against the Chiefs. |
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| Ben Watson is doubtful for Sunday's opener against the Chiefs, according to the Boston Globe. He is battling a knee injury, which prevented him from practicing all week. |
Our View: Dave Thomas is likely to start Sunday in Watson's place, and could rank as a sleeper for larger leagues against Kansas City, when you consider how many touchdown passes Tom Brady fired in 2007. |
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| Stephen Gostkowski did not participate in practice Thursday, but the reason was not injury-related, according to the Boston Globe. |
Our View: Gostkowski is a top-5 fantasy kicker, and should be penciled into lineups Sunday against Kansas City. |
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| Russ Hochstein is fully practicing again for the first time since sustaining a groin injury in the preseason opener, according to the Boston Globe. |
Our View: The team is pleased to have him back as he provides depth behind starter Dan Koppen at center, and also has the versatility to be used at guard. |
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| Wes Welker remains secretive regarding the status of his rib injury, according to the Boston Globe. He did not give a straight answer when asked about his injury and his pain level, and simply stated, "I'm just excited to be out there. I'm excited to get out there and compete a little bit and have a little fun with it." |
Our View: Welker should be active in fantasy lineups Sunday, but it remains a mystery as to how much action he is expected to see due to the ailment. |
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| Ben Watson's availability for Sunday's opener against the Chiefs looks grim due to a knee injury, and David Thomas believes he is ready to step up, according to the Boston Globe. He would be expected to play a more significant role if Watson cannot go, and Thomas said, "In the preseason, we do a lot of different things and we work on a lot of packages. My job is to do whatever they call me to do to try to execute the best I can." |
Our View: Thomas moved up to the No. 2 role at tight end following the release of Marcus Pollard. The Patriots ran approximately 68 percent of their plays with three or four receivers on the field in 2007, but the tight end remains important, as Watson hauled in six touchdowns. Thomas could have success Sunday against the Chiefs, and is worth a look if you lack a more favorable option at the position. |
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| Tom Brady was not listed on New England's practice participation or injury report on Thursday, according to the AP. |
Our View: How much evidence do we need? Brady will be on the field starting Week 1 for the Pats. |
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| The Patriots signed punter Reggie Hodges to the practice squad on Thursday, according to the AP. |
Our View: The Patriots needed to add depth at the position and Hodges fits the bill. |
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| Jason Pociask was cut by the Patriots on Thursday, according to the AP. |
Our View: Pociask will have to find another team if he wants to continue his NFL career. |
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| Three days after releasing him, the New England Patriots re-signed tight end Stephen Spach on Thursday, according to the AP. |
Our View: Spach is the TE3 for the Patriots, and has no fantasy worth what so ever. |
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| Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he expects Tom Brady to be ready to go against the Chiefs in Week 1, according to the Boston Globe. |
Our View: Brady was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, and barring any setbacks should be starting against the Chiefs week 1. |
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| Tight end Ben Watson missed Patriots practice Wednesday with a knee injury, according to the Boston Herald. |
Our View: We hope to know more as we near the season opener. Watson shouldn't be your only tight end option with his injury history. |
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| Brandon Meriweather returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since suffering a leg injury during the August 17th preseason game against the Buccaneers, according to the Boston Herald.
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Our View: Meriweather won't start but is expected to handle a bigger role this season. He is expected to play Sunday against the Chiefs. |
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| Kevin Faulk is suspended for the first game of the season (marijuana possession) and Sammy Morris, LaMont Jordan, and even fullback Heath Evans are all candidates to replace him as the situational passing back, according to the Boston Globe. Heath Evans said, "There is no replacing a Kevin Faulk, but he's not here, so the focus is who are the guys that are here. That's not to sound harsh because obviously we'd love for No. 33 to be here, but at the end of the day, we've got four backs to get the job done. Through coaching and the scheme that these coaches will put in place, we'll find a way to get it done."
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Our View: Starter Laurence Maroney could also absorb some of Faulk's snaps, adding to his fantasy value for the opener against the Chiefs. |
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| The Patriots claimed tight end Jason Pociask off waivers from the Jets, according to the Boston Globe. |
Our View: Pociask is now a member of the NFL's best passing offense, but he holds most of his value to the team as a blocker, and will not merit fantasy consideration. |
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| Stephen Spach has been released by the Patriots, according to the Boston Globe. The team signed cornerback Deltha O'Neal and parted ways with Spach to make room on the roster. |
Our View: Spach could not hold on as the Patriots' No. 3 tight end. |
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| Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said he will be ready to play Week 1 and his injured right foot feels good, according to the AP. "I've been getting progressively better over the past couple of weeks. I'm excited. I'm excited to start the year," he said. |
Our View: This is great news for fantasy owners, many of whom undoubtedly took the New England signal caller in the first round. Only seeing him in game action will affirm his health, but unless a setback occurs, plan on having him in the lineup. |
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| Cornerback Deltha O'Neal was scheduled to make a visit with the Patriots on Monday, and apparently it went so well that the team has decided to sign him, according to ProFootballTalk.com. |
Our View: O'Neal gives the team some veteran depth at the position, as they were relying on numerous young players at that spot. |
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