FanHouse Brandon Meriweather

Whatever happens Sunday, the Patriots will undoubtedly be the team to beat come September -- at least according to the predictably sycophantic media who assume that, as long as Bill Belichick is breathing and Tom Brady is walking, New England is winning.

There are still concerns about Brady's reconstructed left knee, but if he's fully operational by training camp, the prognosticating bobbleheads should take great comfort in anointing the Patriots as favorites to win their fourth Super Bowl this decade. It's the same banal "analysis" that fans have been beaten about the head with since New England won its last championship four years ago.

Whatever happens Sunday, the Patriots will undoubtedly be the team to beat come September -- at least according to the predictably sycophantic media who assume that, as long as Bill Belichick is breathing and Tom Brady is walking, New England is winning.

There are still concerns about Brady's reconstructed left knee, but if he's fully operational by training camp, the prognosticating bobbleheads should take great comfort in anointing the Patriots as favorites to win their fourth Super Bowl this decade. It's the same banal "analysis" that fans have been beaten about the head with since New England won its last championship four years ago.

The New England Patriots were victorious on the field Sunday afternoon, pulling out a 20-10 victory in a rather large AFC East showdown - a division that will now be a weekly four-way battle for first place. Unfortunately for New England, it was a rather costly victory as outside linebacker Adalius Thomas suffered a broken arm, as reported by ESPN's Michael Smith.

The injury is serious enough that, according to "a source," Thomas could miss the remainder of the season.

Linebacker Adalius Thomas, who has started all nine games for the Patriots and is tied for the team lead with five sacks, suffered a broken left forearm in the first half of the Patriots 20-10 win, according to sources. The sources believe the injury is likely season ending. "It's not good. He's probably done [for the season]," said one source.

The Patriots team that will be taking the field now is vastly different from the one that opened the season in Foxboro. Instead of relying on Tom Brady, Rodney Harrison, Laurence Maroney, and Adalius Thomas, the defending conference champions are now relying on Matt Cassel, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and Brandon Meriweather, among others. And they're still winning.

Following last night's win over the Denver Broncos, Patriots coach Bill Belichick was quoted as saying, "it doesn't look too good," in regards to injured safety Rodney Harrison, who was carted off the field during the fourth quarter. He was right.

Adam Schefter is reporting today that Harrison suffered a torn quad muscle in the win, and will be lost for the remainder of the season. Schefter speculates the injury could also be career-ending.

Harrison, who turns 36 in December and whose contract with the Patriots is up after this season, could well have played his last down Monday night. When he was carted off the field, Harrison waved to the fans at Gillette Stadium as if he knew he was saying goodbye. Many will root for Harrison to return, and it's always possible he could. But if he decides he wants to play, he will be attempting an improbable comeback. This is a tough injury to overcome for an aging safety.

It's a big blow to the Patriots defense, as the secondary has been an area of concern through the first seven weeks. Brandon Meriweather will likely take over the starting spot.

If this is the end for Harrison, he'll finish his career with 34 interceptions, 30.5 sacks, 16 forced fumbles and two touchdowns.

Harrison is the second Patriots player to be lost for the season this week, as running back Laurence Maroney was placed on injured reserve prior to Monday night's game with Denver.

When the Patriots signed John Lynch a few weeks ago, it wouldn't have been crazy to think that the Patriots found themselves a useful role player that could contribute something positive for ten-or-so snaps a game.

After all, it wouldn't have been the first time the Patriots picked up a once-great player off the scrap heap and found something they could use, much as they did with Corey Dillon, Rodney Harrison, and Junior Seau. Only natural to assume they would hit on another one with Lynch.

Turns out, that's not happening. At least not right now. The Patriots today released the former pro-bowler, according to the Patriots blog at the Boston Herald. However, Head Coach Bill Belichick isn't ruling out Lynch returning to the team at a later date.

Here's what Belichick offered on Lynch: "It goes without saying but John is an all-time great safety, one of the league's classiest professionals and his elite play speaks for itself. As has been the case in other situations, I would not rule anything out down the road.

It's still open season on the Cowboys persecuted safety Roy Williams and his suspect pass-coverage skills.

In the latest installment, CBSSports.com's Clark Judge spoke to four NFL general managers about what the former first-rounder might bear in a trade. (Just a guess, but going on Michael Irvin's radio show and wishing quarterbacks didn't throw in his direction probably isn't the best way to enhance his value.)

Two GMs said they would pass altogether, but another thought a third-rounder seemed reasonable. But the answer that was most logical, and one I hadn't heard elsewhere but makes perfect sense when you think about it, involves the Patriots. Of course.

"You'd have to fit him to the right scheme because he's more of a box safety than he is someone who can help you in the passing game. He's still young and healthy, so that's good. And if you find the right club -- say, like a New England, where Rodney Harrison was a good fit -- he can be productive and make big plays. If I'm that team I might be interested in dealing a low second- or a third-round pick."

When I say "who wears #21 for the New York Giants" ... your response will most likely be retired running back Tiki Barber. Well, not anymore.

Rookie safety Kenny Phillips will be wearing that number (well, he at least was during the rookie minicamp). Interesting that the team just gives away the jersey number of their all-time rushing and receptions leader just one year after he retires. Sure, most NFL teams don't retire numbers often ... many do choose not to issue those numbers to just anyone at anytime.

However, Phillips isn't wearing it to honor or slight Tiki. He's doing it to honor fellow Miami Hurricanes safety, the late Sean Taylor.

"He was a guy who my whole career, even in high school, I had pictures of him in my locker," Phillips said. "I wanted to get a chance to meet him, and I never did. I watch him on film and he was just an exceptional athlete. The plays he made were crazy. I just wanted to pay my respects by having his number and trying to live up to that."

Awesome gesture by Phillips who could be the first of several Canes players that may do the same. Taylor was beloved by his teammates and someone that younger guys were in awe of.

Phillips, who was drafted with the final pick of the first round, will hope to become the next in a line of outstanding Miami safeties: Taylor, Baltimore's Ed Reed and New England's Brandon Meriwether.

Here's a sobering thought for the rest of the league: the New England Patriots have the second-best defense in the NFL and they're only going to get better. You see, the Pats are currently without defensive end Richard Seymour, and have somehow managed to squeak out four victories in as many games by an average of 25 points.

Seymour is still two weeks from returning, but New England gets back its defensive enforcer Sunday. That's right, the league's dirtiest player, Rodney Harrison, returns from a four-game suspension for violating the substance-abuse policy.

Here's the thing, though: is there a place for Harrison? Eugene Wilson and James Sanders, along with rookie Brandon Meriweather, have been holding down the fort in Harrison's absence. You can never have too many good defensive backs, I suppose, but Harrison's role could be greatly reduced from past seasons.

Defensive coordinator Dean Pees is taking a wait-and-see approach to what Harrison's return will mean to the team:

"Like I said before when I was asked the question when he was going to be out, when somebody is out, it gives somebody else an opportunity. I think some of those guys have taken advantage of that opportunity and have done well.

And that's exactly what's happened. Harrison seems like the consummate team player, and if he can get another Super Bowl ring by being a gloried coach, I'm guessing he'll gladly assume his new role. Whatever, the Patriots are a better team with Harrison and Seymour, and given how the first month has unfolded, that's a scary thought.

It's early, but it's good to see money hasn't changed Patriots first-round pick, Brandon Meriweather. He's currently tooling around in a 1992 Toyota Camry "with a rusted paint job." According to the former University of Miami safety, "the back window doesn't let down. It's kind of beat up, but I'm happy with it."

He also reckons the car has 270,000 miles on but he doesn't seem to be in any hurry to upgrade:

"The Camry is a go-getter, man," said Meriweather. "The Camry is good. I don't care where I put the Camry. The Camry will make it. Give me an oil change and I'll drive to Canada if I wanted."

Maybe he can give Ricky Williams a ride. Honestly, I find this hard to believe. Nobody likes riding around in a hoopty, especially guys in the early 20s who just came into a lot of money (or will very shortly). But hey, maybe Meriweather's the exception. I mean, Troy Polamalu drives around in a Kia.

You know why non-Patriots fans hate the Patriots? No? Well, I'll tell you: they're too freakin' good. They entered the 2007 draft with two first-round picks, thanks to the Seahawks sending one their way in exchange for Deion Branch. Yeah, New England's pass catchers were garbage last season, but you know what? They still almost made it to the Super Bowl. That's how dreamy Tom Brady is.

And now, after taking safety Brandon Meriweather with the 24th overall pick, that evil genius Bill Belichick fleeced the San Francisco 49ers on their other first-round selection.

With about a minute to go on the clock, San Francisco traded next year's first-rounder and this year's fourth-rounder for New England's 28th overall selection. Yeah, I'm not married to the draft value chart -- in fact I think it's sometimes a bit overblown -- but to move up from 42nd (the 49ers second-round slot) to 29th costs 160 points. That's a mid-third-round pick to you and me.

Assuming the 49ers win the Super Bowl, New England, instead, got 634 points (590 for the first-rounder, 44 for the fourth). I'd say the Pats got the better end of this deal. And as Michael David Smith points out, it's not like the guy San Francisco drafted, left tackle Joe Staley, will be able to step into the starting job.