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Heights on a low Boston College fell to 0-2 on the young season Saturday, when the Eagles were handed a 30-3 thrashing by UCF. Duke is up next. METRO
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The Patriots finally see Reggie Bush tonight.
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www.metro.us MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011
Things to look for tonight vs. Miami Patriots at Miami Dolphins
7 tonight (ESPN, 98.5)
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This will be the first time the Patriots get a look at Reggie Bush during the regular season; he was inactive when the Pats and Saints met back on Nov. 30, 2009. Bush is a dynamic player who can really open up the running game, passing game and special teams. While the Fins have moved away from the “Wildcat” offense, look for them to use Bush in a number of ways depending on who the Pats bring out on the front line.
Logan Mankins and Matt Light should hold their own on Tom Brady’s left side. But it’s the right side that poses the biggest problems for the Pats tonight. With Sebastian Vollmer banged up, rookie T Nate Solder could get the nod. On top of that, RB Dan Connolly isn’t 100 percent either, and it’s unclear how much time he’ll get. With recently signed former Chiefs left guard Brian Waters filling in for him, there’s a decent amount of inexperience on the right side of the line. Look for Dolphins LB Cameron Wake to reap the benefits.
Is there any better way to start the season? Under the lights, prime time, against a division foe. If the results are anything like last season’s MNF game versus the Dolphins, Pats fans will be happy. They beat up on them 41-14 then, with the special teams — Patrick Chung, mostly — shining bright. Expect to see Tom Brady on point tonight. He’s 7-1 in his last eight MNF games, dating back to Dec. 26, 2005. The Pats are 8-1 in openers since 2002.
Can New England contain Reggie Bush?
How will the right side of the line fare?
Opening the new year in a big way
JIMMY TOSCANO sports@metro.us
The Cold, Hard Football Facts A look at tonight’s Patriots-Dolphins showdown, through the eyes of the football stat experts at coldhardfootballfacts.com.
Miami’s sorry QB situation Last time 1983 Miami drafted a first-round QB (Dan Marino) Career 33 interceptions by current starting QB Chad Henne Career 27 touchdown passes by Henne Starting QBs the Dolphins have 15 used since Marino retired Consecutive drafts 4 Miami has used a second-round pick on
’Fins always a tough match
a QB (2006-2009) impact of 0Total those players
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The Patriots are coming off a 2010 season that saw them twice beat the Dolphins handily. Don’t think that means tonight is going to be a cakewalk. Last year aside, Miami has a long history of being a thorn in New England’s side. Since 2001, the Pats have run up a 48-14 record
against the rest of the AFC East. Seven of those losses — exactly half — have come against the Dolphins. So looking past Miami — even as 7-point favorites — would be a very big mistake. Heck, it’s even how Bill Belichick defined that mythical “Patriot Way” over the weekend. “Right now our way is to
Bill Belichick
try to find a way to beat Miami,” he said. “That’s really what we’re about now. Trying to prepare well, trying to have everything tightened up, go down there confidently, go out there and play well. Hopefully that will result in a victory; that’s what we’re trying to do now.” METRO
Injury update How some key Patriots’ health is shaking out for tonight’s game: Questionable: DE Mark Anderson (knee), CB Kyle Arrington (hip), OL Dan Connolly (foot), DL Albert Haynesworth (illness), RB Stevan Ridley (ankle), OL Sebastian Vollmer (back) Probable: CB Leigh Bodden (hand), WR Julian Edelman (hand)
New England on third down The Patriots desperately need to improve thirddown defense in 2011. Here are the five worst third-down defenses since 2000 (team, opponents’ conversion percentage, team record): 2004 Raiders 47.42%, 5-11 2008 Chiefs 47.39%, 2-14 2008 Colts 47.39%, 12-4 2000 Cardinals 47.30%, 4-12 2010 Patriots 47.14%, 14-2
FFChamps.com’s player to watch In tonight’s other game, Darren McFadden owners are drooling over his matchup against the Broncos run defense. In 2010, the Broncos allowed the second-most rushing yards in the league (154.6 yards per game).