Stephen Neal News

This year's New England Patriots , though, bear little resemblance to the teams that won three Super Bowls this decade.

Originally published December 6, 2009 at 11:49 a.m., updated December 6, 2009 at 11:53 a.m. MIAMI a ' Miami Dolphins center Jake Grove is inactive for the second game in a row because of an ankle injury.

We are here at the Superdome, where it is about two hours before kickoff of the Patriots-Saints epic battle -- aka this week's Monday Night Football showdown.

The Chiefs just added a player to their practice squad who may never play in a game.

It has been a preparation like no other. It may continue right up until tonight's 8:30 kickoff.

New England Patriots guard Stephen Neal took a non-traditional route to the NFL from wrestler to NFL Football player.

The New England Patriots offense has a distinct advantage against the New Orleans Saints, especially the Patriots wide receivers against the Saints injury depleted secondary.

Strike up the U2! Two additional Lombardi Trophies and almost eight years later, the Patriots tomorrow night will return to the Louisiana Superdome.

Tom Brady will step back in time when he walks into the Louisiana Superdome on Monday night.

Starting left tackle Matt Light [ stats ] is almost ready to return from a knee injury, and guard Stephen Neal hasn't practiced because of a head injury.

The New England Patriots are heading back to New Orleans for the first time since they won the Super Bowl there.

New England's defense needs to come up big for the Patriots to have a prayer against the unbeaten Saints.

Rookie Sebastian Vollmer once again will start at left tackle for the Patriots in place of injured veteran Matt Light.

While I'm writing this, CB Leigh Bodden jumped i front of a bad pass by Jets QB Mark Sanchez , intercepted it, and ran it back 53-yard for a score.

RB Sammy Morris hopes to get back in action for the Patriots soon. Plus, news and notes from the Friday locker room and practice.

There is no indecision with Dan Koppen's injury status this week. His knee is fine, and the Patriots center even played against the Colts Sunday night after being forced out of the previous week's game against the Dolphins.

Far more goes into the Jets' blitzes -- and into defending against them -- than meets the eye.

Need evidence that the Patriots will bounce back fine from Sunday's devastating loss to the Colts, and do so in short order? The Patriots have lost consecutive games just once in the last seven seasons, and they'll have plenty of motivation this week, with the archrival Jets and their smack-talking coach, Rex Ryan , visiting Foxborough.

Forget the Barry Switzer references. Yes, Bozo the Coach, which is what The New York Post called Switzer in a headline in 1995 when his Cowboys failed to convert a fourth-down attempt at their 29-yard-line against the Eagles - made the same decision that Bill Belichick did Sunday night in the Patriots ' 35-34 loss to the Colts .

Laurence Maroney is feeling it again. The wildly inconsistent tailback has been running with increased power and decisiveness over the last month.