The big news out of Foxboro today is the imminent loss of safety Rodney Harrison, who, according to the Boston Globe, is out for the season after tearing a quadriceps muscle during Monday's win over Denver.
The *Globe *talks to former Broncos general manager and pro football analyst Ted Sundquist for an outside perspective on the impact Harrison's loss will make on New England.
“The first thing you have to take into consideration is what you miss in veteran leadership,” Sundquist told the Globe.
Former Patriots' backup Jim Miller says Harrison is like the "Energizer bunny" in terms of his tremendous work ethic both on and off the field.
“He was an awesome teammate, an awesome player, an awesome person who inspired everyone,” Miller told the Boston Herald.
This is the third time in four years Harrison has suffered a season-ending injury.
“It was hard to watch him go through what happened last night,” head coach Bill Belichicktold the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
In more positive news, the Patriots view Monday's win as a statement game that could perhaps get them moving in the right direction as they approach the midway point of the season.
“I think the team is improving in every phase of the game,” Belichick told the Providence Journal.
Quick hits
*USA Today *takes a look at Matt Cassel's confidence, which is at an all-time high following his three-touchdown performance Monday against the Broncos.
Cassel is also relieved to have Belichick's support.
“Having his boost of confidence definitely gives me a boost of confidence because he obviously knows the game of football,” Cassel told USA Today.
He'll have his hands full with Sunday's opponent, the St. Louis Rams, who have won two consecutive games under newly-appointed head coach Jim Haslett.
The defensive line has been the key to the Rams' recent success.
“I think the adjustments that we made in Week 4 are really benefiting us as a whole,” Rams lineman Clifton Ryan told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
