Skip to main content
Advertising

Official website of the New England Patriots

replay
Replay: Best of the Week on Patriots.com Radio Thu Dec 12 - 11:00 AM | Fri Dec 13 - 10:24 AM

Quick Kicks: Fri. 11-25 Practice/Locker Room Notebook

Erik Scalavino offers his Friday locker room notes as the Patriots prepare to play the Philadelphia Eagles

20111125-gronk-lr.jpg

… The day after Thanksgiving Day saw temperatures climb up to the upper 50s in New England, with bright sunshine and a steady breeze greeting the Patriots at their final practice of Eagles Week. The team was outside in helmets, shells, and sweats on the double fields where training camp is normally held.

… Add WR Chad Ochocinco to the list of walking Patriots wounded. He was not on the practice field today due to a hamstring injury, which seems to have cropped up since the end of yesterday's practice. He was not listed on Thursday's injury report. He is now QUESTIONABLE for Sunday's game in Philly, as are 10 others who were limited in what they could do today: WR Deion Branch (hip), safety Patrick Chung (right foot), C Dan Connolly (groin), LB Gary Guyton (shoulder), S James Ihedigbo (shoulder), LT Matt Light (right ankle), cornerback Devin McCourty (right shoulder), WR Taylor Price (hamstring), WR Matthew Slater (shoulder), OT Sebastian Vollmer (back).

… WR Wes Welker (knee) and RG Brian Waters (left knee) were limited by are listed as PROBABLE against the Eagles.

… The only other players missing were linebackers Dane Fletcher (thumb) and Brandon Spikes (right knee), who have been ruled OUT of Sunday's contest.

… Meanwhile, down in Philadelphia, QB Michael Vick (ribs) did not practice for the third straight day. That means backup Vince Young will almost certainly get the start against New England on Sunday. Vick, though, is officially QUESTIONABLE, as are corners Nnamdi Asomugha (left knee) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (ankle). Asomugha hurt himself yesterday and did not take part today. However, Rodgers-Cromartie was able to do limited activities today after missing the past two sessions.

… Preparing to face mobile quarterbacks like Vick and Young , linebacker Jerod Mayo stressed fundamentals as the key to finding success against their improvisational styles. "Playing technique and discipline, everyone rushing in their lanes, doing their job," he told reporters.

… Philly WR DeSean Jackson (foot) is PROBABLE after missing one day of practice and being limited the past two. However, fellow pass catcher Jeremy Maclin (hamstring/shoulder) is DOUBTFUL after missing the past two practices.

… This Sunday will mark the first time former Patriots corner Asante Samuel has faced New England since bolting for Philly back in 2008. Bill Belichick said Friday that Samuel looks like the same playmaker he once was in Foxborough. "Asante has real good ball skills, a ball hawk in the secondary, has a great feel for the passing game, good hands, made some big plays. He looks like we've seen him for many years. We know you have to be careful throwing around him because he's very instinctive, he's got good ball skills, he's got good quickness. You just have to be careful. Tom has thrown against him hundreds of times [in practice]. I think he has a good feel for what it's like to play against him."

… Though the Eagles are just 4-6 and dealing with injuries to key players, Patriots players insist they aren't taking this game for granted. "They're a better team than their record shows," tight end Rob Gronkowski maintained. "Records really don't matter in the NFL. Some teams could have a losing record, but they're just as good as other teams. It depends on who's been practicing hard that week, who's been preparing better that week, and who comes out on that day ready to play." His point was echoed by defensive lineman Kyle Love. "In the NFL, you don't look at records, because on any given Sunday, anybody can beat anybody. This is a physical team, a tough team. Anytime they want to win, they'll win."

… Left guard Logan Mankins has been fined $7,500 by the league for a personal foul call he picked up in the fourth quarter against the Chiefs.

This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.

Related Content

Advertising

Latest News

Presented by
Advertising

Trending Videos

Advertising

In Case You Missed It

Presented by
Advertising