In The Red Zone – 10/9

 

The smarts and athleticism of Adalius Thomas continues to show each week.  This past week it as how quickly he read the play and the coverage needed as he broke to cover Joe Jurevicious, Thomas ended up tipping the pass that was intercepted by Asante Samuel. 

Watch for the matchup in Sunday’s game against the Cowboys between Patriots CB Asante Samuel and Cowboys WR Terrell Owens.  It could be one of the best one-on-one battles in the league during the year and should go a long way in determining the outcome of the game between the two 5-0 teams.  The game against Dallas is sure to be New England’s biggest test of the season after having beaten opponents by at least 17 points and have scored 38 points three times and 34 points twice.  The Cowboys prior to Monday’s night’s comeback 25-24 win at Buffalo had scored at least 34 points the four previous games. 

According to ESPN matchups featuring at least 5-0 teams are pretty rare.  The last one was in 2004 between the Jets and Patriots.  Before that you have to go all the way back to 1973 for the Vikings and the Rams who were both 6-0 at the time.

Troy Brown who suffered a knee injury in the AFC Championship game last January hopes to be able to return this season once he is eligible to come off the Physcially Unable to Perform list anytime after Week 6 and before Week 9.  If he doesn’t come off the list he will be placed on the season ending Injured Reserve list.  Richard Seymour, Chad Jackson and Eddie Jackson are also on the PUP list.

Ellis Hobbs was seen sporting a Red Sox road gray jersey and Boston pinstriped hat in the locker room the other day.  He will be wearing a different jersey come this weeks meetings when he has to wear a red Texas Tech #5  jersey.  That’s because Hobbs Iowa State Cyclones lost to Sammy Morris’s Red Raiders.  Richard Seymour and Benjamin Watson will also be sporting some new gear, Tennesee windbreakers, courtesy of Donte Stallworth who’s Volunteers beat the Seymour’s and Watson’s Georgia Bulldogs.

The Patriots signed center Pat Ross and cornerback Tim Mixon to the practice squad.  Defensive lineman Zach West was released from the practice squad.  Ross, played at Boston College and replaced Patriots center Dan Koppen when he graduated.  Last season he was on the Seattle Seahawks practice squad.  Mixon, played his college ball at Cal and was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in May.   He was released by Chicago and signed with Cleveland on September 4th.  He was released by the Browns 10-days later. 

Russ Hochstein filled in for center Dan Koppen this week and played well in his place.  The versatile veteran lineman made his third start in a row but his first at center since 2005.  He previously filled in for Stephen Neal at right guard. 

“I’ve played a lot of the interior three positions and I feel comfortable going from one to the other, the adjustments are mental,” said Hochstein, who received time at center in the preseason. “It’s different from position to position. Physically, I feel comfortable and I enjoy playing both guard and center, and I have a lot of fun with that. I’ve been doing it for a while. It’s not a huge deal for me.”

Hochstein gives a lot of the credit to Patriots assistant head coach/offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia for preparing him for all three line positions.