by Christopher Price
chris@patriotsdaily.com

Living in Massachusetts, we’ve learned to accept the fact that there are some constants in life: There will always be corruption on Beacon Hill. Hollywood will continue to mock our accents by placing Ben Affleck in every Boston-based film imaginable. And despite any distractions, the Patriots and Bill Belichick will be able to focus on any job that’s been placed in front of them.

With a national television audience salivating at the possibility of Belichick being humbled by the mighty Chargers — just days after he was humbled by commissioner Roger Goodell over the Patriots illegal videotaping of the Jets’ defensive coaches — New England weathered the storm again Sunday night against the Chargers, showing remarkable resiliency in a 38-14 smackdown in front of a sold-out Gillette Stadium crowd. The win was impressive, as the Patriots dominated on both sides of the football and gave themselves an early lead in the race for home-field in the AFC playoffs.

But more importantly, it proved that, once again, when it comes to crisis management, no one holds a candle to Belichick and the Patriots.

“I think we do a great job as a team and as an organization on keeping what is going on outside, outside,” said nose tackle Vince Wilfork, who helped the defense bottle up running back LaDainian Tomlinson (43 rushing yards). “We only care about what is going on in here; how we can stop this team. That is the only thing we are concerned about.”

“I think over the years we’ve had a lot of distractions from week to week, and this team and our coaches have always done a great job of keeping us focused,” said quarterback Tom Brady, who shredded the San Diego defense for three passes touchdowns and led New England to a total of 407 yards on the night. “I think this team did a nice job the last few weeks of putting some distractions behind us, and realizing that the most important thing is coming out and trying to win football games.”

Brady knows of what he speaks. In truth, the latest flareup is the third major possible distraction in the last seven seasons for the Patriots and Belichick. In 2001, it was a burgeoning quarterback controversy between Brady and Drew Bledsoe that threatened to sabotage the season. And in 2003, the Patriots released veteran safety Lawyer Milloy in the days leading up to their Week 1 matchup with the Bills. After Milloy signed with Buffalo, the Bills routed the Patriots, 31-0. Both incidents remain as defining moments in seasons that ended with Super Bowl wins, with their ability to focus on the overall task at hand — namely winning football games, despite the many distractions swirling around them — serving as the most impressive overall characteristic of each of those teams.

Will Sunday’s game be remembered the same way? No one yet knows, but the sort of resiliency Belichick and the franchise developed in those difficult days in 2001 and 2003 has prepared them well for this season. The 2007 Patriots lost their two best defensive players (Richard Seymour and Rodney Harrison) for at least the first four weeks of the season to injury and a suspension for HGH. And their entire Super Bowl legacy was called into question by cynics because of the videotaping scandal involving the Jets in Week 1. It’s a series of events that would have been crippling to most teams, especially when faced with the prospect of playing the high-octane Chargers, one of the best offenses in the league.

For the Patriots? It was just another week at the office, one that ended in a familiar fashion.

“We went through a lot this week, but we blocked it all out,” said linebacker Tedy Bruschi. “For everything that went on this week, we just had to focus on winning the game. Just win a game the way we’ve always done it, the way we’ve always prepared. Nothing special.”

FIVE THINGS TO LOOK FOR THIS WEEK

1. How the Bills’ offensive line does protecting J.P. Losman. Last season, the Buffalo offense ran a max-protect scheme 18 percent of the time, the second-most in the league. Expect more of the same this week as they try and neutralize the Patriots pass rush. New England enters the game with eight sacks, the fourth-best mark in the league.

2. How the Patriots defend defensive end Aaron Schobel. The New England offensive line has traditionally struggled against speed rushers like Schobel in the past — the former TCU standout has six sacks of Brady the last two seasons, more than traditional Brady nemesis Jason Taylor has had in that span.

3. Can the Bills’ slow down the Patriots passing offense? Buffalo has allowed an average of 267.5 passing yards in the first two games of the season (27th-best in the league). New England has averaged 280 passing yards through the first two games (fourth-best in the league). Could be a long afternoon for the Buffalo secondary.

4. Marshawn Lynch. Barring injury, Sunday’s game against the Bills will likely mark the only time this season the Patriots’ defense will face a team with a rookie as the featured back. With such a limited resume, New England doesn’t have much to go on when it comes to defending the youngster, who has an impressive 154 rushing yards through two games against the Broncos and Steelers.

5. Focus. The Patriots were able to maintain their focus throughout the week leading up to the Chargers game, keeping their minds on the task at hand instead of the off-field videotaping flap. Can they do the same thing this week against the Bills?

STAT OF THE WEEK

With Sunday night’s win, Tom Brady improved to 56-2 in his regular season career when holding a halftime lead. Sunday’s game marked the second straight contest where New England scored on its opening possession, and it’s the first time in Patriots history they have begun the season with consecutive opening-drive touchdowns.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“They just jumped on us like a spider monkey.” Chargers fullback Lorenzo Neal on the Patriots fast start Sunday night — New England jumped to a 24-0 first-half lead on the way to the 38-14 win.

Christopher Price is an award-winning sportswriter who has covered the Patriots since 2001 for Boston Metro. He’s served a contributor to ESPN.com, SI.com, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post and The Miami Herald. His book “The Blueprint: How the New England Patriots Beat the System to Create the Last Great NFL Superpower” will be released Oct. 16 by Thomas Dunne Books. He can be reached at chris@patriotsdaily.com.

by Scott Benson
scott@patriotsdaily.com

Before last night’s game with the Patriots, Chargers running back LaDanian Tomlinson told NBC’s John Madden that if San Diego played New England ten times, the Chargers would win nine.

Make it eight.

After a week in which they and their head coach were the object of national scorn, ridicule and cheap talk like Tomlinson’s, the stoic Patriots did their talking on the Gillette Stadium field last night, blowing out the chatty Chargers 38-14 before a national television audience.

Madden’s broadcast partner Al Michaels called it: “Pretty much no contest from early on.”

Tom Brady threw for three touchdowns, two to Randy Moss, and the New England defense forced three San Diego turnovers while adding a score of its own, as Bill Belichick and his three-time champions offered their first extended response to the controversy that continues to swirl around them.

Tomlinson, who attacked Belichick last January and again this week before his amateurish boast to Madden, carried 18 times for a meager 43 yards. It is not known who or what Tomlinson will blame his team’s latest failure on, but rest assured, it will be something.

If he wants to be honest (he doesn’t), he can start with Patriots linebackers Rosevelt Colvin and Adalius Thomas, who harrassed Phillip Rivers and the San Diego offense to the extent that it was the third quarter before they could muster something other than bumbling inefficiency.

Colvin intercepted Rivers on the Chargers first offensive play, strip sacked him on two others, and led all Patriots in tackles in perhaps his most dominant performance as a Patriot. His new teammate Thomas, who was all over the field despite a modest stat line, stepped in front on another Rivers pass before returning it 65 yards for a touchdown that gave the Patriots a 24-0 halftime lead that all but put the lights out in San Diego.

The game began with a hysterically laughable Andrea Kramer report from just outside the San Diego locker room, where head coach Norv Turner happened to share with Kramer a fantastic tale of “extraordinary meaures” taken to ensure that shadowy New England operatives, most likely trained by G. Gordon Liddy (if Kramer could be believed), didn’t abscond with Chargers trade secrets, including a closely guarded list of scripted plays that Turner prepared specifically for the occasion.

It might have been the most ridiculous moment in a week that was filled with them. One question: how did that script work out for you, Norv?

Well, three turnovers and three punts in the game’s first thirty minutes of play. Don’t expect any Academy Award nominations for that script, Norv. But don’t worry - you’re still in the running for Best Dramatization by a Totally Overmatched Coach.

Brady (25/31/279) and Moss (8-105) were incredible again, throwing and scoring at will while opening up the field for teammates like Wes Welker (8-91), Ben Watson (5-49 and the game’s first touchdown) and Laurence Maroney (15-77 after a slow start). I have neither the time nor the words to describe the difference Moss is making in New England; it matters not how many defenders bracket him, he simply runs by them to create a Great Wide Open that makes it look like the Patriots are playing on a CFL field.

The success was keyed again by an offensive line led by Dan Koppen and Logan Mankins, who combined to drive Pro Bowl tackle Jamal Williams to the ground, and then finally, from the game. Even two sacks (and a strip) by dangerous pass rusher Shawne Merriman were rendered irrelevant by New England’s mastery of the team that many had deemed their superior.

The Chargers finally put together two scoring drives in the second half, but for the second straight week, the Patriots owned the fourth quarter, controlling the ball for nearly thirteen of the fifteen minutes before punctuating their dominance with a late Sammy Morris touchdown run that closed out the scoring.

The night ended with Belichick, haggard but unbowed, acknowledging the well wishes of the Gillette Stadium faithful as he made his way to the New England locker room. Behind him, his quarterback, left to deal with Kramer (who added a report that the last place Jets are considering further charges - shocking), called him “the greatest coach in the history of the NFL.”

He is that - and once again, he’s coaching the best team in the league.

ESPN’s Michael Smith reports the following:

Belichick and Patriots ownership recently agreed to a long-term contract extension. The pact will keep Belichick on New England’s sideline through at least the 2013 season, according to league sources and sources close to the coach. The deal was agreed to before the recent “spying” scandal in which the Patriots were punished by the NFL.

If true, that’s the best news we’ve heard in some time, and hopefully puts to rest the “one final run” rumors.

by Scott Benson
scott@patriotsdaily.com

Unless the question is - Reggie Bush, or Mario Williams?

On the CBS pre-game show, Casserly just claimed that along with videotaping opposing coaches for the purpose of stealing their defensive signals, the Patriots are also jamming the other team’s radio signals (even on the road) and breaking into their opponent’s locker rooms to steal game plans.

The New York Jets - who couldn’t possibly have been Casserly’s source - told the two-time loser GM that they reserve the right to levy further charges against the Pats “if new information becomes available.”

The Jets - currently mired in last place in the AFC East -  also reserve the right to announce the earth is flat and the sky is green (with envy) “if new information becomes available.”

Meanwhile, Casserly - waiting in vain for another fool willing to hand his team over to the general managing equivilent of a multi-car pile up - passes the time by furthering the hidden agendas of his booze-soaked former colleagues on the NFL’s shadow government, otherwise known as its Competition Committee.

by Scott Benson
scott@patriotsdaily.com

So, what do we talk about this morning?

You can’t swing a dead cat without hitting someone who wants to “move beyond this and talk about the games,” but it will be awhile before we’re able to truly move beyond Camera-gate.

I mean, at times this week’s controversy made the Michael Vick scandal seem like a minor skermish. Look, Bill Belichick effed up, in grand style. He may never remove the asterisk that has now been affixed - whether it’s fair or not, whether we like it or not - to his historic career. The team he coaches may never escape the dark skepticism that now surrounds its own historic achievements. 

That kind of thing doesn’t blow over in a few days, not even for the San Diego Chargers.

The definitive account of this regrettable affair won’t be rendered unto history in a matter of hours, days, weeks or months. The battle over who will write that history will take at least that long. The bloodthirsty vultures who have leapt on the troubling weakness of their adversary - while cynically concealing their own perverse demons - will insist on it.

All I can say is that I hope when the dust settles, Michael Silver’s Friday column for Yahoo Sports stands atop the pile of otherwise worthless rubble that Belichick’s rivals will undoubtedly create.

Silver is brutal on Belichick, a view I’m inclined to accept. Mostly because for the first time, a national columnist has also turned a critical eye towards the men who so hypocritically accused him, and gives context to the disgace that enveloped the coach and his team this week. Silver painstakingly chronicles the deteriorating relationship between Belichick and Eric Mangini, which ended for sure when Mangini exposed tactics he once gladly exploited to advance his own career. Silver’s blistering indictment of both sides has to be the most balanced - and as a result, perhaps the most truthful - account filed by any writer anywhere this week.

Silver closes by setting a fair and reasonable bar to measure the future actions of the men most responsible for this debacle. We can only hope that Belichick has already considered and adopted the action plan that Silver lays out, or that he soon will. To do otherwise would truly tarnish his legacy.

Let’s move on to the morning papers.

And right on cue to substantiate the above thesis comes the slimy, slithering bottomfeeders at the Boston Herald, led by an executive team so skilled and learned that the 160 year old tabloid is now being forced - free of charge - into the hands of harassed subway commuters, by hawkers charged with the daily disposal of their bosses’ malfeasance.

First, let’s start with the Herald staff that had at least enough integrity to affix a by-line to their work this morning.

John Tomase asks if the Pats will once again respond to adversity with a convincing win. John also adds five things to look for tonight. Karen Guregian chips in with the daily notebook, which looks at Laurence Maroney, who was part of a Patriots ground game that was held to 51 yards the last time New England met the Chargers.

Though it’s not credited to him (just a vague “Herald Staff”), I supsect Tomase is also the author of a look at why the Patriots have become the most hated team in the NFL. Reasonable question. Guess what - it’s Bill Belichick’s fault, for not playing grab ass around the pool at league meetings. Oh, yeah, there were three world championships too, but I’m sure that if they had been more polite about it, the Pats would now be considered a national treasure by rival teams and fans. John’s entitled to his opinion here, but one thing I’d suggest is that he may consider looking a little more skeptically at Colts coach Tony Dungy before dutifully reprinting every word uttered by the self-righteous prick whose Quiet Strength is so profound that he can’t shut the eff up about it.

Still, I like Tomase, and suspecting that he was the author I read every word of this piece. Which is how I stumbled on the link to a column attributed - again - “the Herald Staff”.

I had to look twice at the link - entitled “Goodell’s discipline didn’t go far enough” - because I hadn’t noticed it when I began the day by scanning the Herald on-line sports page. Before opening the link, I checked again. Nope, nothing. I went to the front page, thinking it may have originated there - nothing. Just one link at the bottom at the bottom of the other uncredited story.

What is the Herald - and the author of this piece - hiding? Weren’t they just insisting the other day that Bill Belichick stand up and face their music? Wouldn’t someone demanding accountability from everone else at least want to put their name on something they wrote? What are they hiding?

Well, here’s just a sample.

“Belichick’s gold has been tarnished. Is this why he was so good? Probably not. But it’s fun to consider, because he’s a jerk.”

A football coach that orders the videotaping of another football coach is a jerk. Gee, thanks Herald. I’d be morally and ethically lost without your steady judgment, which doesn’t have anything to do with who gives you access and who doesn’t.  Now that I know that the football coach is a jerk, maybe you can help me with another moral question I’ve been wrestling with -  what do I call a guy that mocks black schoolchildren as gorillas, and gets wealthy by doing it?

What do I call a guy that drops even a pretense of reporting honesty in his desperate quest to have every camera and microphone trained on him, instead of the games he is paid to cover?

And while you’re at it, what do I call a guy that takes chickenshit cheap shots at people without at least putting their name behind it?

NOTE (9:45 am): Since posting this about 45 minutes ago, I’ve learned that the above article is another of the Herald’s charming ‘behind enemy lines’ reprints they like to run on game days. The guest author is apparently Nick Canepa of the San Diego Union Tribune. Now that I’ve made that clear, notice that I’m not changing anything I posted at 9 o’clock. I’m  pretty secure with it just the same. The Herald can now go back to hiding behind “oh, it was just a problem with our on-line edition” without admitting they were more than happy that Canepa saved them the trouble of writing this piece of shit themselves.

Jessica Heslam finishes up our Herald coverage with a look at the media firestorm surrounding Belichick and the Pats, which concludes with Jack Gringold, associate director of communications at Northeastern, hoping that editors have moved past gratuitous, unattributed attacks on the Patriots coach to focus on the contest. If Jessica is being ironic here, I think I’m in love with her.

Maybe Mr. Gingold ought to pick up a copy of this morning’s Globe, if he’s looking for coverage of tonight’s game.

Christopher Gaspar leads off with a story on tonight’s grudge match in Foxboro. Bob Hohler looks at new Charger coach Norv Turner, who’s following a popular players coach in San Diego, trying to install some much needed maturity in his team. Jim McBride likes the Pats in his weekly scouting report. Gaspar and Mike Reiss combine on a Patriots notebook, which looks at Wareham High (and U of Maine) product Stephen Cooper, a new starter in the middle of the Chargers defense. The Globe duo also notes that the New York Jets, currently tied for last in the AFC East, entertained former Patriots punter Josh Miller this week. Their interest in the punter, of course, is completely sincere.

Reiss has his weekly league notes, where he talks with Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren about the proposal to wire defensive players with the same communications equipment used by their offensive counterparts. Did you know about the wrinkle in the current proposal that says if you lose your wired player to injury or ejection, you can’t wire anybody else? So one team would have the benefit of the equipment while the other will not. Would you have wanted the Patriots to vote for this?

Reiss also has words of wisdom from the beatific Dungy, winner by 31 points in last week’s season opener with the Saints. Guess what? Tony’s not happy with the officiating. Not enough offensive holding calls against his opponent. Quiet Strength indeed.

At the ProJo, Shalise Manza Young says that Bill Belichick knows just what he’s going to get from Norv Turner, and that may spell bad news for San Diego. Shalise likes the Pats today, and says special teams and coaching will give them the edge. Is she being nice to Bill Belichick while surrounded on all sides by spiteful dickheads who wouldn’t think of it? Awwww. I’m kind of involved with Jessica Heslam at the moment, SMY, but let me get your number just in case.

Shalise also spends a few minutes up close with the oft-forgotten Jabar Gaffney. 

Jim Donaldson wonders why anybody would question AJ Smith on his decision to replace Marty Schottenheimer with Turner, when he’s been right about some pretty big decisions before.

In the Hartford Courant, David Heuschkel looks at two closely matched rivals.

Lastly, the Hub bids adieu to Albert Breer, who wraps up his time in New England this week before heading for the Big D and a high-profile gig covering America’s Team. His profile of future coach Mike Vrabel this morning is typical of his studious and thorough approach, which will be missed even more now that we’ve soiled our hands with today’s disgraceful Boston Herald.

On to the game.

by Greg Doyle
greg@patriotsdaily.com

Another Saturday, another packed schedule in the world of college football. In college football, they don’t cheat and steal signals. Unlike Bill Belichick. In college football, they don’t disgrace the game and their fans. Unlike Bill Belichick. In college football, they don’t murder small puppies and torture kittens. Unlike Bill Belichick. In college football, they don’t single handedly ruin the nation’s economy and prevent a cure for cancer being found. Unlike Bill Belichick.

All kidding aside, there are some good games on tap today. In fact, it’s probably the best schedule so far of the young season. Let’s take a look:

Pittsburgh at Michigan State (12:00 Noon ESPN): Pittsburgh comes in 2-0 after last season’s disappointing 6-6 record. They are a bit head coach challenged, being led by Dave Wannstadt, but there is talent there. Michigan State also comes in 2-0 under Mark Dantonio, who is up and coming in coaching circles. Let’s take a look at some of the players:

Pittsburgh DE Chris McKillop (#41): A big (6′3″ 250 lb) outside linebacker type who would fit the Patriots 3-4 scheme. Has played outside linebacker and has excellent size. Is a leader on defense and can rush the passer.

Pittsburgh DE Joe Clermond (#58): Slightly bigger than McKillop and more productive in college, but more of a defensive end type. Could possibly convert to linebacker. Has an impressive 16.5 career sacks.

Pittsburgh CB Kennard Cox (#5): Not as heralded as last year’s other Pittsburgh corner, Darelle Revis, who was taken in last year’s first round of the NFL draft. Cox definitely has talent and could really blossom as a senior. Had a solid season last year, but needs to make more plays on the ball. Very good size for a corner.

Michigan State TE Kellen Davis (#80): Big, tall tight end who has had some disciplinary problems. Has 5 catches in two games and being more heavily utilized in the new offense Michigan State is running. He runs well and has good hands. Could blossom into one of the better tight ends in the draft next year, which will certainly have the Patriots interested.
 
Michigan State LB Kaleb Thornhill (#41): A three-year starter and a pure inside linebacker with ideal size, the Patriots very well could be interested in this team leader who has the ability to play inside in a 3-4. I have a hunch this is a guy they’ll like, so keep your eye on him.

Tennessee at Florida (3:30 PM CBS): This is one of the best games so far, as the Volunteers visit the defending National Champs Florida in The Swamp. Look for a surprisingly competitive matchup. Florida is certainly favored, and it coming down to the end between these old rivals. We looked at Tennessee the first week of the season, so we’ll spotlight a few different players this time.

Tennessee RT Eric Young (#54): It can be hard to focus on offensive lineman, but this guy is worth taking a few plays to see how he does against top competition. He’ll be in the draft, though it’s unclear how high. This is his second year as a starter and although solid last year, he needs to become dominant at this level if he is to be a top prospect.

Tennessee S Jarod Parrish (#19): A backup most of his career, he is getting a chance to show what he can do this year, partly due to injuries. Had only 11 career tackles coming into this season. But he has very good size and could get himself a look with a solid season.

Florida WR Andre Caldwell (#5): Far more talented than his brother Reche, the former Patriots receiver now with the Redskins. Came out of high school as the most heavily recruited receiver in the country and has produced with 119 career receptions. Has 4.29/40 speed. Good size and height. He should be a first rounder.

Florida S Tony Joiner (#19): An excellent player on the National Championship team and the backbone of their secondary. This guy is a blue collar hitter with size and smarts. He should be one of the top safeties in the country this year and if his speed tests out good, a high draft pick who could interest the Patriots due to his size, leadership ability, production and Bill Belichick’s ties to Florida head coach Urban Meyer.

Florida S Kyle Jackson (#3): A big recruit coming out of high school, he was an off and on starter his first two years before not starting any games last year. Has his chance again this season. Inconsistent, yet talented. Can make plays and has a knack for the ball, but also gets caught out of position which is why he’s never solidified himself as a starter. Probably a late round or undrafted type who’ll have to make a NFL team on special teams. A solid season could give him a chance, however. Off to a bit of a slow start though and needs a big game here.

Arkansas at Alabama (6:45 PM ESPN): The first big test for new Alabama coach Nick Saban against the powerful running offense of Arkansas.

Arkansas RB Darren McFadden (#5): Although only a junior, he deserves to be talked about and will likely enter next year’s draft. A dominant, break-away runner with great speed and size. Can bowl you over or run around you. One of the best running backs to come out in the last few years, he is simply electrifying. Watch this guy, you’ll enjoy it. Put up over 1,600 yards rushing last year.

Arkansas WR Marcus Monk (#85): A extremely tall receiver at 6′6″ who considered entering the draft last year. Has 122 career catches and is particularly dangerous around the end zone where his big size and physicality allows him to out jump and muscle smaller defensive backs.

Arkansas CB Matterral Richardson (#9): Started since his freshman year, this tall lanky corner can stuff the run, but has not been big on getting interceptions. He’ll be drafted, but needs to show he can make plays to be a top prospect.
 
Alabama WR DJ Hall (#22): A tall receiver who was second team All-SEC the last two years. Had over 1,000 yards receiving last year and shows really good hands and toughness. Good size. He’ll be a high draft pick and if Randy Moss and Donte Stallworth move on, the Pats may consider this guy high. Watch him, he is good.

Alabama CB Simeon Castille (#2): An excellent corner who should really blossom with Saban’s coaching. He was first team All-SEC last year. Shows good playmaking ability and had 6 INTs last year. Good all around and has a shot to be a first round pick and the direction the Patriots go in if they want a corner. Saban will have input.
 
Boston College at Georgia Tech (8:00 PM ESPN2): In an ACC battle, these two undefeated squads will be looking to really move up in the rankings with a win here. Boston College should get to 6-0 easily if they can pull this one off.
 
Boston College QB Matt Ryan (#12): Big, tall and can move around a bit in the pocket. Smart quarterback blessed with excellent size, and a good leader. Has a strong arm. A very good NFL prospect who could be a first round pick. Was 1st Team All-ACC last year despite being banged up all season and looks better this year.

Boston College T Gosder Cherilus (#77): A big, athletic and strong right tackle who could be drafted on the first day. BC has a tradition of producing good NFL linemen. Has had some off the field trouble though, which may keep the Patriots away.

Boston College CB DeJuan Tribble (#27): A playmaking corner with great speed who has a knack for interceptions and big returns. Plays the ball as well as any corner in college football. Off to a flying start this year and should be a first day pick. A bit small.

Georgia Tech FB Mike Cox (#40): A 250 lb. Blocking back who rarely carries the ball but can catch. A late round choice at best, but his blocking gives him a chance to stick.

Georgia Tech C Kevin Tuminello (#60): Anchors the line. Known for being extremely strong. This three-year starter doesn’t dominate, but is solid and could be a late round pick.

Georgia Tech CB Pat Clark (#6): Former wide receiver adjusting to defensive back. His speed gives him a chance to stick as a corner and special teamer in the NFL. But not experienced enough or productive enough to be anything more than a free agent out of school, more than likely.

Others to watch: Over on ESPN2 at noon, check out Purdue reciever Dorien Bryant. He reportedly runs a 4.24/40 and has 167 career catches. Originally committed to Boston College. Has shown he can make the tough catches over the middle and is not just a speed guy. On ABC at 8:00 PM, an excellent matchup to watch will be USC versus a rejuvenated Nebraska team. There are lots of players to watch on USC and we’ll feature them at some point this year, but keep your eye on Nebraska LB Bo Ruud (#51). Ruud has good size and productivity and works hard. His brother is an NFL linebacker and Ruud would seem a good fit as a Tedy Bruschi type in the 3-4 defense. Late night at 10:00 PM on ESPN, you can see Colorado RB Hugh Charles (#2) as his Buffaloes take on Florida State. Charles is small, but productive. Too small to be a full-time back in the NFL, his elusiveness suggests he could be a 3rd down back and kick returner. But he hasn’t shown a great ability to catch the ball yet and needs to demonstrate that to generate NFL interest.

As promised yesterday, here is the Sunday Night Blogger segment on NBCSports.com which was recorded yesterday.

The segments where we talked about Tom Brady as compared to Joe Montana and about Chad Johnson’s latest on-field celebration didn’t make the final cut, but we’re hoping to bring you some of that material next week sometime.

Check in this weekend for College Scout, and the Sunday Links, which promise to be filled with material, lets hope it’s more about the game Sunday night than the events of the last week.

Also, if you haven’t already, be sure to check out the Patriots Buffet Table