Dan Connolly News

A look at the positional groupings utilized by the Patriots in their 22-21 loss to the Dolphins: 2 WR/2 TE/1 RB 29 of 58 snaps 3 WR/1 TE/1 RB 15 of 58 1 WR/3 TE/1 RB 5 of 58 3 WR/2 RB 4 of 58 1 WR/2 TE/1 FB/1 RB 3 of 58 3 TE/1 FB/1 RB 1 of 58 2 WR/1 TE/1 RB 1 of 58 ANALYSIS: One area that stands out is the inability to pick up a yard in critical ...

Patriots guard Stephen Neal is shown before the start of a preseason game against the Washington Redskins, Friday, Aug.

The Patriots yielded two sacks to the Jets Sunday. Considering how well they have protected Tom Brady this season - five times their opponent has had no more than one sack - it's easy to say that's not good enough.

"We had enough to block it," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "Obviously, we just didn't get it done.

Here's how the Patriots employed the personnel offensively on Sunday. And how the Colts did it with theirs, by comparison: PATRIOTS "11" Personnel : 37 snaps "12" Personnel : 15 snaps "10" Personnel : 5 snaps "20" Personnel : 4 snaps "22" Personnel : 3 snaps "23" Personnel : 3 snaps "13" Personnel : 3 snaps "21" Personnel : 1 snap COLTS "11" ...

The Patriots, it seems, are getting healthy this week. Only three players did not practice today, and there were other promising signs, too.

Bill Belichick, as he often does, responded to the question rather than answered it.

There is a category in which the offenses in Detroit, Jacksonville, and Washington outrank the Patriots.

You haven't even heard the half of it when it comes to Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning.

That's when the Patriots cornerback was at Ohio State and the Indianapolis Colts quarterback was at Tennessee.

The ability to stand up without feeling woozy felt like an accomplishment yesterday for Patriots cornerback Jonathan Wilhite .

Patriots center Dan Koppen strolled through the locker room yesterday, but he didn't have much to say.

UPDATE Dan Koppen has been taken back to the locker room with a knee injury. His return is questionable.

Coach Bill Belichick offered a spirited defense of his team's starting running back, saying he has no problems with the way Laurence Maroney is producing.

Randy Moss and Wes Welker have formed a potent 1-2 punch for the New England Patriots the past two seasons.

CANTON, Ohio -- Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith headline the preliminary list of modern-era nominees for induction next year into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The New England Patriots have downgraded three players for Sunday's game against the New York Jets.

Free-agent guard Kendall Simmons is set to sign a contract to join the Patriots, according to a league source.

A few thoughts after dissecting the team's 53-man roster, which based on history figures to undergo a few more tweaks in the coming days: In keeping just three offensive tackles and six interior linemen, the Patriots must have been factoring the presence of tackle Mark LeVoir on the physically unable to perform list.

After three preseason games, an updated projection at how the Patriots' 53-man roster might look for the season-opener: Quarterback : Brady, Walter, Hoyer Quick hit: With Kevin O'Connell's surprising release, it opens the door for Hoyer ... unless the team acquires a veteran.