2008 New England Patriots season: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox NFL_season
{{Infobox NFL_season
| logo =
| logo =
| team = New England Patriots
| team = Will Richardson Patriots
| year = 2008
| year = 2008
| record = 3-1
| record = 3-1
| division_place = 2nd [[American Football Conference East Division|AFC East]]
| division_place = 2nd [[American Football Conference East Division|AFC East]]
| coach = [[Bill Belichick]]
| coach = [[Will Richardson]]
| stadium = [[Gillette Stadium]]
| stadium = [[Will Richardson Stadium]]
| playoffs = TBD
| playoffs = TBD
| pro bowlers = TBD
| pro bowlers = TBD
Line 13: Line 13:
}}
}}


The '''[[2008 NFL season|2008]] [[New England Patriots]] season''' is the 39th season for the team in the [[National Football League]] and 49th season overall. The Patriots entered the season with an NFL-record 19-game regular season winning streak after a 16-0 regular season in [[2007 New England Patriots season|2007]], and will try to reach [[Super Bowl XLIII]] after losing 17-14 to the [[New York Giants]] in [[Super Bowl XLII]].
The '''[[2008 Will Richardson season|2008]] [[Will Richardson Patriots]] season''' is the 39th season for the team in the [[National Football League]] and 49th season overall. The Patriots entered the season with an NFL-record 19-game regular season winning streak after a 16-0 regular season in [[2007 New England Patriots season|2007]], and will try to reach [[Super Bowl XLIII]] after losing 17-14 to the [[New York Giants]] in [[Super Bowl XLII]].


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{{TOClimit|limit=2}}


==Offseason==
==Will Richardson==
===Incidents off the field===
===Will Richardson is a Pimp===
Two days after Super Bowl XLII, defensive back [[Willie Andrews]] was arrested in [[Lowell, Massachusetts]] on [[February 5]] for possession of a half pound of [[Cannabis (drug)|marijuana]] and driving an unregistered car.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/02/patriots_defens.html|title=Patriots defensive back charged with marijuana possession in Lowell|work=[[The Boston Globe]]|date=2008-02-05|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref> On [[May 9]], Andrews' case was continued without finding for one year, during which time Andrews was ordered to pay a fine, speak to student athletes about the dangers of narcotics, and complete an NFL substance abuse program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2008/05/09/patriots_defensive_back_andrews_pleads_to_drug_offense/|title=Patriots defensive back Andrews pleads to drug offense|work=[[Associated Press]]|publisher=The Boston Globe|date=2008-05-09|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref> On [[June 30]], Andrews was arrested again and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm in [[Mansfield, Massachusetts]], after his fiancée accused him of pointing a gun at her head.<ref name="AndrewsGun">{{cite web|url=http://www.bostonherlad.com/sports/football/patriots/view/2008_06_30_Pats__defenseman_arrested_in_gun_assault/srvc=sports&position=recent|title=Pats’ defensive back arrested in gun assault|work=[[Boston Herald]]|first=Mike|last=Underwood|date=2008-06-30|accessdate=2008-06-30}}</ref> Andrews' fiancée called police, who searched Andrews' vehicle but did not find a gun; she later took her child to a hotel for the night, where Andrews then met her again before being arrested.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebostonchannel.com/sports/16749713/detail.html|title=Patriots Player Faces Gun Assault Charge|work=[[WCVB-TV]]|date=2008-06-30|accessdate=2008-06-30}}</ref> The weapon, a [[Glock pistol]], was later recovered in a dumpster near Andrews' apartment.<ref name="AndrewsGun" /> Andrews was released on [[July 1]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2008/07/02/patriots_release_andrews/|title=Patriots release Andrews|work=The Boston Globe|first=Christopher L.|last=Gasper|date=2008-07-02|accessdate=2008-07-02}}</ref>
Two days after Super Bowl XLII, defensive back [[Willie Andrews]] was arrested in [[Lowell, Massachusetts]] on [[February 5]] for possession of a half pound of [[Cannabis (drug)|marijuana]] and driving an unregistered car.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/02/patriots_defens.html|title=Patriots defensive back charged with marijuana possession in Lowell|work=[[The Boston Globe]]|date=2008-02-05|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref> On [[May 9]], Andrews' case was continued without finding for one year, during which time Andrews was ordered to pay a fine, speak to student athletes about the dangers of narcotics, and complete an NFL substance abuse program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2008/05/09/patriots_defensive_back_andrews_pleads_to_drug_offense/|title=Patriots defensive back Andrews pleads to drug offense|work=[[Associated Press]]|publisher=The Boston Globe|date=2008-05-09|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref> On [[June 30]], Andrews was arrested again and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm in [[Mansfield, Massachusetts]], after his fiancée accused him of pointing a gun at her head.<ref name="AndrewsGun">{{cite web|url=http://www.bostonherlad.com/sports/football/patriots/view/2008_06_30_Pats__defenseman_arrested_in_gun_assault/srvc=sports&position=recent|title=Pats’ defensive back arrested in gun assault|work=[[Boston Herald]]|first=Mike|last=Underwood|date=2008-06-30|accessdate=2008-06-30}}</ref> Andrews' fiancée called police, who searched Andrews' vehicle but did not find a gun; she later took her child to a hotel for the night, where Andrews then met her again before being arrested.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebostonchannel.com/sports/16749713/detail.html|title=Patriots Player Faces Gun Assault Charge|work=[[WCVB-TV]]|date=2008-06-30|accessdate=2008-06-30}}</ref> The weapon, a [[Glock pistol]], was later recovered in a dumpster near Andrews' apartment.<ref name="AndrewsGun" /> Andrews was released on [[July 1]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2008/07/02/patriots_release_andrews/|title=Patriots release Andrews|work=The Boston Globe|first=Christopher L.|last=Gasper|date=2008-07-02|accessdate=2008-07-02}}</ref>


Revision as of 15:20, 8 October 2008

2008 Will Richardson Patriots season
Head coachWill Richardson
Home fieldWill Richardson Stadium
Results
Record3-1
Division place2nd AFC East
Playoff finishTBD
Pro BowlersTBD
Uniform
File:AFCE-Uniform-NE.PNG

The 2008 Will Richardson Patriots season is the 39th season for the team in the National Football League and 49th season overall. The Patriots entered the season with an NFL-record 19-game regular season winning streak after a 16-0 regular season in 2007, and will try to reach Super Bowl XLIII after losing 17-14 to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.

Will Richardson

Will Richardson is a Pimp

Two days after Super Bowl XLII, defensive back Willie Andrews was arrested in Lowell, Massachusetts on February 5 for possession of a half pound of marijuana and driving an unregistered car.[1] On May 9, Andrews' case was continued without finding for one year, during which time Andrews was ordered to pay a fine, speak to student athletes about the dangers of narcotics, and complete an NFL substance abuse program.[2] On June 30, Andrews was arrested again and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm in Mansfield, Massachusetts, after his fiancée accused him of pointing a gun at her head.[3] Andrews' fiancée called police, who searched Andrews' vehicle but did not find a gun; she later took her child to a hotel for the night, where Andrews then met her again before being arrested.[4] The weapon, a Glock pistol, was later recovered in a dumpster near Andrews' apartment.[3] Andrews was released on July 1.[5]

On February 22, running back Kevin Faulk was issued a misdemeanor summons after he was found with four marijuana cigarettes at a Lil Wayne concert in Lafayette, Louisiana.[6] Upon returning to New England, Faulk passed a drug test and did not have to enter the NFL's substance abuse program.[7] Faulk pleaded no contest to the charge on July 8 and was sentenced to a five-month suspended jail term, given one year of probation, fined, and ordered to complete community service and substance abuse treatment programs.[8] Faulk was later suspended for the first game of the 2008 regular season for a violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy.[9]

On April 27, according to The Boston Globe, offensive lineman Nick Kaczur was arrested in Whitestown, New York, when police discovered Kaczur had a "small amount of controlled substance for which he did not have a prescription," which was later identified as oxycodone.[10] Kaczur was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a misdemeanor. In May, the article states Kaczur participated in a Drug Enforcement Administration sting operation, wearing a hidden recording device while purchasing $3,900 worth (100 pills) of OxyContin.[10] The three transactions, on May 1, May 6, and May 13 in the area near Foxborough, Massachusetts, led to the arrest of Kaczur's dealer Daniel Ekasala, who was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 3 for three counts of possession of oxycodone with intent to distribute.[10] When The Globe asked for comment, however, Kaczur denied any involvement in the case.[10]

Staff changes

Following the regular season, the Atlanta Falcons hired Patriots Director of College Scouting Thomas Dimitroff to be their new general manager.[11] Former Pro Personnel Director Nick Caserio, who had spent the 2007 season as wide receivers coach, returned to the personnel department as the director of player personnel, a position that partly replaced both Dimitroff's and Caserio's former responsibilities under Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Pioli.[12] Regional scout Jon Robinson was also promoted to assistant director of college scouting.[13] The Patriots then promoted offensive assistant Bill O'Brien to wide receivers coach to replace Caserio.[14] Additionally, the Patriots announced secondary coach Joel Collier would not return to the team in 2008, and hired former Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans head coach Dom Capers as a special assistant/secondary coach.[14] Don Davis, who joined the coaching staff as an assistant strength and conditioning coach and team chaplain after retiring in 2007,[15] left the organization to pursue Christian ministry.[13] Finally, coaching assistant Kevin Bickers was made a special assignment scout, and replaced by Brian Flores, formerly a pro scout, and Shane Waldron.[13]

Departures

Prior to the start of free agency, the Patriots released linebackers Oscar Lua and Rosevelt Colvin,[16] who had started 39 games in his five seasons with the team. Both ended the 2007 season on injured reserve and failed post-season team physicals.[17] Tight end Kyle Brady was released at the start of free agency,[18] also after having failed a physical.[17] The Patriots declined multi-year contract options on wide receivers Kelley Washington[19] and Donté Stallworth,[20] making them both free agents; Stallworth signed with the Cleveland Browns,[21] while Washington re-signed with the Patriots.[22] Also departing via free agency were defensive backs Asante Samuel (Philadelphia Eagles),[23] Randall Gay (New Orleans Saints),[24] and Eugene Wilson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers).[25] Restricted free agent defensive lineman Rashad Moore was not tendered a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent.[26]

Signings

After losing a combined 122 games of starting experience for the team in Samuel, Gay, and Wilson, the Patriots added back to their secondary by signing cornerbacks Lewis Sanders[27] and Fernando Bryant,[28] who were both released by their former teams, as well as two unrestricted free agents - cornerback Jason Webster[29] and safety Tank Williams.[30] Also signed via unrestricted free agency were wide receiver Sam Aiken,[31] linebacker Victor Hobson.[32] and tight end Marcus Pollard.[33] Free agents or potential free agents Tedy Bruschi,[18] Lonie Paxton,[18] Kelley Washington,[22] Randy Moss,[34] Jabar Gaffney,[35] Ray Ventrone,[36] Mike Wright,[37] Wesley Britt, and Pierre Woods[38] were all re-signed.

2008 NFL Draft

Main article: 2008 NFL Draft

As a penalty for violating the "league policy on the use of equipment to videotape an opposing team’s offensive or defensive signals" during a September 9, 2007 game against the New York Jets (see Spygate), the Patriots forfeited their original first round pick, which would have been the 31st overall pick due to their loss in Super Bowl XLII.[39]

2008 New England Patriots Draft Selections
Round Overall Player Position College
1[40] 10 Jerod Mayo Linebacker Tennessee
1 (31)[41] Selection forfeited
2 62 Terrence Wheatley Cornerback Colorado
3[40] 78 Shawn Crable Linebacker Michigan
3 94 Kevin O'Connell Quarterback San Diego State
4 129 Jonathan Wilhite Cornerback Auburn
5[42] 153 Matthew Slater Safety UCLA
6 197 Bo Ruud Linebacker Nebraska
2008 New England Patriots Draft Day Trades
Round Overall Team Received
1 7 to New Orleans Saints Received New Orleans' first-round pick and third-round pick (10 and 78 overall)
5 164
3 69 to San Diego Chargers Received San Diego's fifth-round pick (160 overall) in 2008 and second-round pick in 2009
5 160 to Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received Tampa Bay's fifth-round pick (153 overall) in 2008
7 238

Staff

New England Patriots 2008 staff
Front Office

Head Coaches

Offensive Coaches

 

Defensive Coaches

Special Teams Coaches

Strength and Conditioning

Coaching Assistants

Opening training camp roster

As of the Patriots' first training camp practice at Gillette Stadium on July 24, they had the NFL maximum of 80 players signed to their roster (first-round pick Jerod Mayo, who was not signed until after training camp began, did not count against that limit until his signing).

New England Patriots 2008 opening training camp roster
Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

Offensive Linemen

Defensive Linemen

Linebackers

Defensive Backs

Special Teams

Reserve Lists


Notations

Schedule

Preseason

Week Kickoff Date Opponent Result Record Game Site TV NFL.com Recap
1 7:30 PM EDT August 7, 2008 Baltimore Ravens L 15-16 0-1 Gillette Stadium WCVB Recap
2 8:00 PM EDT August 17, 2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 10-27 0-2 Raymond James Stadium NFLN[a] Recap
3 7:30 PM EDT August 22, 2008 Philadelphia Eagles L 17-27 0-3 Gillette Stadium WCVB Recap
4 7:00 PM EDT August 28, 2008 New York Giants L 14-19 0-4 Giants Stadium WCVB Recap

Regular season

Week Kickoff Date Opponent Result Record Game Site TV NFL.com Recap
1 1:00 PM EDT September 7, 2008 Kansas City Chiefs W 17-10 1-0 Gillette Stadium CBS Recap
2 4:15 PM EDT September 14, 2008 New York Jets W 19-10 2-0 Giants Stadium CBS Recap
3 1:00 PM EDT September 21, 2008 Miami Dolphins L 13-38 2-1 Gillette Stadium CBS Recap
4 Bye
5 4:15 PM EDT October 5, 2008 San Francisco 49ers W 30-21 3-1 Candlestick Park CBS Recap
6 8:15 PM EDT October 12, 2008 San Diego Chargers Qualcomm Stadium NBC
7 8:30 PM EDT October 20, 2008 Denver Broncos Gillette Stadium ESPN[b]
8 1:00 PM EDT October 26, 2008 St. Louis Rams Gillette Stadium FOX
9 8:15 PM EST November 2, 2008 Indianapolis Colts Lucas Oil Stadium NBC
10 1:00 PM EST November 9, 2008 Buffalo Bills Gillette Stadium CBS
11 8:15 PM EST November 13, 2008 New York Jets Gillette Stadium NFLN[b]
12 1:00 PM EST November 23, 2008 Miami Dolphins Dolphin Stadium CBS
13 4:15 PM EST November 30, 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers Gillette Stadium CBS
14 8:15 PM EST December 7, 2008 Seattle Seahawks Qwest Field NBC
15 4:15 PM EST December 14, 2008 Oakland Raiders Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum CBS
16 1:00 PM EST December 21, 2008 Arizona Cardinals Gillette Stadium FOX
17 1:00 PM EST December 28, 2008 Buffalo Bills Ralph Wilson Stadium CBS
a Simulcast on WBZ-TV.
b Simulcast on WCVB-TV and WMUR-TV.

Note: Game times in weeks 12-17 are subject to change pursuant to the NFL's flex scheduling policy. The Week 11 game against the Jets, on the NFL Network, is exempted from possible rescheduling. Since teams are limited to six primetime games, no more than two Patriots games between weeks 12 and 17 may be in primetime.

Week 1 roster

New England Patriots 2008 week 1 roster
Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

Offensive Linemen

Defensive Linemen

Linebackers

Defensive Backs

Special Teams

Reserve Lists

Practice Squad


Notations

Regular season results

Week 1: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

1 2 3 4 Total
Chiefs 0 3 0 7 10
Patriots 0 7 7 3 17

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

The Patriots began their regular season at home against the Kansas City Chiefs. On the first drive of the game, a running-into-the-kicker penalty committed by the Chiefs on a fourth-down punt gave the Patriots a fresh set of downs, but three plays later, wide receiver Wes Welker fumbled after catching a pass from quarterback Tom Brady; the Chiefs recovered and started their next drive at their own 48 yard line but failed to convert on third down and punted. On their next drive, the Chiefs again recovered a fumble by a Patriots receiver after a catch; this time wide receiver Randy Moss lost the ball after a 28-yard completion from Brady. After the throw, Brady was hit in his lower left leg by Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard, left the game, did not return, and was later placed on injured reserve with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and a torn medial collateral ligament.[43] Quarterback Matt Cassel replaced Brady for the Patriots' next drive, which began from the Patriots' 2-yard line. Seven plays after a 51-yard completion to Moss from inside the Patriots' 1, Cassel hit Moss in the end zone from 10 yards out for a touchdown, giving the Patriots a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter. The teams then exchanged three-and-outs twice, before the Chiefs ended a 13-play, 51-yard drive with a 40-yard Nick Novak field goal to cut the Patriots' lead to 7-3 at the end of the first half.

After a Chiefs punt on a drive in which Chiefs quarterback Brodie Croyle was injured on a sack by Adalius Thomas, the Patriots drove 80 yards on 11 plays, capping off the series with a 5-yard touchdown run by running back Sammy Morris to extend the Patriots' lead to 14-3. The next Chiefs drive began with backup quarterback Damon Huard replacing Croyle. The Chiefs drove 63 yards and trimmed the Patriots' lead to 14-10 on a 13-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Dwayne Bowe. After three punts, Huard and the Chiefs began a fourth-quarter drive by throwing an interception to Patriots cornerback Ellis Hobbs; a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty on the Patriots caused their ensuing series to begin at their own 47-yard line. A handful of Morris runs and Cassel passes, including an 11-yard reception by Morris, brought the Patriots into the Chiefs' red zone, but the Patriots failed to convert on third down and settled for a 37-yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal to make their lead 17-10. Starting from his own 22-yard line with 2:20 remaining, Huard was strip-sacked on the third play of the series, but recovered his own fumble at the Chiefs' 27-yard line. On the next play, Huard hit wide receiver Devard Darling for a 68-yard completion, giving the Chiefs first-and-goal from the Patriots' 5-yard line with 53 seconds left. However, the Patriots' defense prevented the Chiefs from advancing another yard, as an incomplete pass, a Larry Johnson run for no gain, and two more incomplete passes gave the Patriots the ball back to seal their first victory of the season, and their 20th consecutive regular-season win.

Week 2: at New York Jets

1 2 3 4 Total
Patriots 3 3 10 3 19
Jets 0 3 0 7 10

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Game time: 4:15 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 90 °F (32 °C), partly cloudy
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Phil Simms (color commentator)
  • Referee: John Parry
  • Game attendance: 78,554

In their first divisional game of the season, the Patriots traveled to Giants Stadium, where they had not lost since 2000. On the first series of the game, the Jets drove to the Patriots' 13-yard line but the game remained scoreless after kicker Jay Feely missed a 31-yard field goal. Eleven plays later, the Patriots faced 3rd-and-goal from the Jets' 2-yard line, but a run for a loss by running back Laurence Maroney set up a 21-yard Gostkowski field goal to give the Patriots a 3-0 lead. After a Jets punt, the Patriots extended their lead to 6-0 on a 37-yard Gostkowski field goal early in the second quarter. The Jets responded with a 77-yard drive, highlighted by a 54-yard Laveranues Coles completion from quarterback Brett Favre, which brought them as close to the end zone as the Patriots' 1-yard line, but they again had to settle for a field goal; this time Feely completed the 21-yard attempt to cut the Patriots' lead to 6-3. The Patriots and Jets exchanged punts to end the first half.

After a Patriots punt began the second half, the Jets started their next possession from their own 23-yard line. Three offensive penalties later, with the Jets at 2nd-and-25, defensive back Brandon Meriweather earned his first career interception on an errant Favre pass, giving the Patriots the ball at the Jets' 31-yard line. Despite a Kris Jenkins sack of Cassel to begin the drive, the Patriots moved into the red zone on a 22-yard completion to running back Kevin Faulk on a 3rd-and-9 play. Three plays later, Morris ran it in from the Jets' 1-yard-line for a touchdown, extending the Patriots' lead to 13-3. On an ensuing Jets punt, a 24-yard Faulk return set-up the Patriots' next drive at the Jets' 39-yard line; nine plays later, a 28-yard Gostkowski field goal gave the Patriots a 16-3 lead and ended the third quarter scoring. Beginning from their own 20-yard line for the sixth time in the game, the Jets drove into the Patriots' red zone and then cut the Patriots' lead to 16-10 on a 2-yard touchdown catch by wide receiver Chansi Stuckey. The Patriots next drive went for 71 yards and ended on a 27-yard Gostkowski field goal to build the Patriots' lead to 19-10. This would be the final score, as the Jets' next drive, which included a 20-yard sack of Favre by Adalius Thomas, went three-and-out and the Patriots held the ball for the final 3:45 in the game. The win brought the Patriots' record to 2-0 and kept the team tied for first place in the AFC East. Gostkowski finished the day 4-for-4 on field goals and earning five touchbacks on six kickoffs.

Week 3: vs. Miami Dolphins

1 2 3 4 Total
Dolphins 7 14 7 10 38
Patriots 0 6 7 0 13

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C), sunny
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle (play-by-play) and Solomon Wilcots (color commentator)
  • Referee: Bill Carollo
  • Game attendance: 68,756

Playing their second divisional opponent in as many weeks, the Patriots returned home looking for their 22nd straight regular season victory, a streak extending back to December 2006 when the Dolphins shut out the Patriots in Miami. Despite a 50-yard Hobbs return on the opening kickoff, the Patriots and Dolphins exchanged three-and-out punts to begin the game. On their second drive, the Patriots got as far as the Dolphins' 7-yard line, but back-to-back sacks of Cassel set-up 3rd-and-goal, where Cassel threw his first interception of the season, to Dolphins defensive lineman Randy Starks. Starting from their own 26-yard line, the Dolphins drove into the Patriots' red zone in part from two catches by tight end Anthony Fasano from Chad Pennington for 47 yards. On 2nd-and-goal from the Patriots' 2-yard line, the Dolphins lined up Pennington as a wide receiver and had running back Ronnie Brown take a direct snap from a shotgun formation; Brown proceeded to fake an end-around to running back Ricky Williams before running for the touchdown to give the Dolphins a 7-0 lead. This formation, known as the "Wildcat," was developed by Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano and quarterbacks coach David Lee following the Dolphins' loss to the Arizona Cardinals the week prior.[44] The Patriots' ensuing possession reached the Dolphins' red zone again on 13 plays, but ended with the Patriots settling for a 37-yard Gostkowski field goal, trimming to the Dolphins' lead to 7-3 early in the second quarter.

The Dolphins' next drive began with a 33-yard reception by wide receiver Greg Camarillo; five plays later, Brown scored his second touchdown of the day with a 15-yard third down run, extending the Dolphins' lead to 14-3. On their next drive, the Patriots reached the Dolphins' 28-yard line on a 21-yard completion by Welker on a Cassel pass that was tipped by Dolphins safety Renaldo Hill. However, the Patriots gained only two more yards before Gostkowski hit his second field goal of the day, this one from 44 yards out, to cut the Dolphins' lead to 14-6. On the first play of the ensuing drive, the Dolphins again employed a direct snap to Brown, who this time proceeded to hand-off to Williams, gaining three yards on the play. With two minutes remaining in the first half, the Dolphins faced a 1st-and-10 from the Patriots' 45-yard line; Williams again took the hand-off on the direct snap to Brown, but this time went for 28 yards to put the Dolphins in the Patriots' red zone. Three plays later, the Dolphins again used the "Wildcat" formation, and Brown took the direct snap and ran five yards for his third touchdown of the day, giving the Dolphins a 21-6 lead at the half.

After an exchange of punts began the second half, the Dolphins drove from their own 21-yard line to a 3rd-and-3 from the Patriots' 19-yard line. The Dolphins again used the "Wildcat;" this time Brown threw a halfback pass to Fasano for a 19-yard touchdown that extended the Dolphins' lead to 28-6. Hobbs returned the ensuing kickoff 81 yards to have the next Patriots' possession begin from the Dolphins' 23-yard line. On 4th-and-3, Cassel hit wide receiver Jabar Gaffney for a 5-yard touchdown that cut the Dolphins' lead to 28-13. The Dolphins' ensuing possession featured Brown touching the ball on every play; after a first-down reception, Brown ran four times in a row to give the Dolphins a 1st-and-10 from their own 38-yard line. The Dolphins again lined up Brown to receive the direct snap; this time he ran 62 yards for his fourth rushing touchdown of the day, a Dolphins record.

Early in the fourth quarter, Hobbs returned the Patriots' next kickoff 31 yards, setting his own team record with 237 kickoff return yards in the game. Three plays later, Cassel fumbled on a third down scramble that was forced by Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter and recovered by Dolphins defensive lineman Phillip Merling at the Patriots' 49-yard line. After a Dolphins' three-and-out, the Patriots began their next drive with a Cassel interception thrown to Hill that was negated on a roughing the passer penalty on defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday; the Patriots punted four plays later. The Dolphins' next drive ended in a 39-yard Dan Carpenter field goal that gave the Dolphins a 38-13 lead. After an unsuccessful fourth-down conversion attempt on a pass by backup Patriots quarterback Kevin O'Connell and a Dolphins punt, that score became the final. The loss dropped the Patriots to 2-1 and to second place in the AFC East.

Week 5: at San Francisco 49ers

1 2 3 4 Total
Patriots 7 10 7 6 30
49ers 14 0 0 7 21

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California

Coming off their bye week, the Patriots flew to Candlestick Park for a Week 5 interconference duel with the San Francisco 49ers. In the first quarter, New England trailed early as 49ers QB J.T. O'Sullivan completed a 16-yard TD pass to RB Frank Gore. The Pats responded with QB Matt Cassel completing a 66-yard TD pass to WR Randy Moss. San Francisco answered with O'Sullivan completing a 6-yard TD pass to WR Isaac Bruce. In the second quarter, the Patriots took the lead with kicker Stephen Gostkowski getting a 35-yard field goal, along with RB Kevin Faulk getting a 2-yard TD run.

In the third quarter, the Pats increased their lead as Faulk got another 2-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, New England continued its victory march as Gostkowski kicked a 40-yard field goal. The 49ers tried to rally as O'Sullivan completed a 5-yard TD pass to Bruce, but New England pulled away with Gostkowski nailing a 49-yard field goal.

With the win, the franchise picked up its first ever victory in San Francisco and the 2008 Patriots improved its record to 3-1.

Divisional standings

AFC East
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(3) Miami Dolphins 11 5 0 .688 4–2 8–4 345 317 W5
New England Patriots 11 5 0 .688 4–2 7–5 410 309 W4
New York Jets 9 7 0 .563 4–2 7–5 405 356 L2
Buffalo Bills 7 9 0 .438 0–6 5–7 336 342 L1

Current roster

New England Patriots roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams


Rookies in italics

Roster updated May 28, 2024

87 active (+1 exempt), 3 unsigned

→ AFC rosters → NFC rosters

Awards and honors

Recipient Award(s)
Larry Izzo 2008 New England Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award[45]

Notes and references

  1. ^ "Patriots defensive back charged with marijuana possession in Lowell". The Boston Globe. 2008-02-05. Retrieved 2008-05-31.
  2. ^ "Patriots defensive back Andrews pleads to drug offense". Associated Press. The Boston Globe. 2008-05-09. Retrieved 2008-05-31.
  3. ^ a b Underwood, Mike (2008-06-30). "Pats' defensive back arrested in gun assault". Boston Herald. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
  4. ^ "Patriots Player Faces Gun Assault Charge". WCVB-TV. 2008-06-30. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
  5. ^ Gasper, Christopher L. (2008-07-02). "Patriots release Andrews". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  6. ^ Gasper, Christopher L. (2008-02-27). "Faulk cited for marijuana in La". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-05-31.
  7. ^ Foote, Kevin (2008-02-29). "Patriots' Faulk says he passed drug test". The Daily Advertiser. USA Today. Retrieved 2008-05-31.
  8. ^ "Kevin Faulk, pleads no contest". KATC (TV). 2008-07-08. Retrieved 2008-07-08.
  9. ^ Reiss, Mike (2008-08-30). "Faulk suspended 1 game". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-09-09.
  10. ^ a b c d Ellement, John R. and Murphy, Shelley (2008-06-04). "Patriot arrested, then aids drug sting". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-06-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ "Falcons name Thomas Dimitroff to GM post". AtlantaFalcons.com. 2008-01-13. Retrieved 2008-03-30.
  12. ^ Reiss, Mike (2008-03-23). "Merger of field and screen". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-03-30.
  13. ^ a b c Reiss, Mike (2008-08-11). "Media guide nuggets". The Boston Globe. {{cite web}}: Text "2008-08-11" ignored (help); Text "accessdate" ignored (help)
  14. ^ a b Reiss, Mike (2008-02-22). "Capers joins Patriots' coaching staff". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  15. ^ Young, Shalise Manza (2008-02-01). "Don Davis offers strength in both of his Pats roles". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
  16. ^ Reiss, Mike (2008-02-26). "Lua released too". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  17. ^ a b "New England Patriots February, 2008 Transactions". Pro Football Weekly. 2008-02-29. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  18. ^ a b c Gasper, Christopher L. (2008-02-29). "Patriots release TE Kyle Brady". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  19. ^ Reiss, Mike (2008-02-22). "K. Washington update". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  20. ^ Reiss, Mike (2008-02-29). "Report: Stallworth to visit Browns". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  21. ^ Gasper, Christopher L. (2008-03-01). "Report: Stallworth to join Browns". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  22. ^ a b Reiss, Mike (2008-02-28). "Washington agrees with Pats". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  23. ^ Gasper, Christopher L. (2008-02-29). "So long Asante". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  24. ^ Gasper, Christopher L. (2008-03-02). "Gay marches to the Saints". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  25. ^ Reiss, Mike (2008-03-14). "Wilson to Bucs & CB". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  26. ^ Reiss, Mike (2008-02-29). "No offer to Rashad Moore". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  27. ^ Reiss, Mike (2008-03-06). "CB Lewis Sanders signed". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  28. ^ Gasper, Christopher L. (2008-03-20). "Bryant signing official". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  29. ^ Reiss, Mike (2008-03-4). "Webster deal official". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-04-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ Reiss, Mike (2008-03-05). "Report: Pats sign Tank Williams". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  31. ^ Reiss, Mike (2008-03-03). "Aiken signs on for 2 years". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  32. ^ Reiss, Mike (2008-04-07). "Belichick on Hobson". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  33. ^ Reiss, Mike (2008-04-22). "TE Pollard to join Pats". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
  34. ^ Reiss, Mike (2008-03-03). "Moss' agent details deal". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  35. ^ Reiss, Mike (2008-03-04). "Report: Gaffney back to Pats". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  36. ^ Reiss, Mike (2008-03-11). "Ventrone officially re-signs". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  37. ^ Reiss, Mike (2008-03-19). "Mike Wright follow-up". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  38. ^ Reiss, Mike (2008-03-25). "Britt & Woods re-sign". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  39. ^ Reiss, Mike (2007-09-13). "Final ruling". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-09-13.
  40. ^ a b The Patriots traded their first- and fifth-round selections (#7 and #164 overall) to the New Orleans Saints for the Saints' first- and third-round draft picks (#10 and #78 overall). The #7 pick was received with a 2007 fourth-round pick in a trade from the San Francisco 49ers for the Patriots' first-round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. Boston.com summary
  41. ^ As the team that lost Super Bowl XLII, the Patriots' original first-round selection would have been #31.
  42. ^ The Patriots traded their fifth- and seventh-round selections (#160 and #238 overall) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the Buccaneers' fifth-round selection (#160 overall). The fifth-round pick was received in a trade with the San Diego Chargers in which the Patriots traded a third-round selection (#69 overall) to the Chargers for the Chargers' fifth-round pick in 2008 and second-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. (The Patriots received the #69 pick in a trade with the Oakland Raiders in which the Raiders traded their 2008 third-round pick and 2007 seventh-round pick for the Patriots' third-round pick in 2007.) Boston.com summary
  43. ^ "Sources: Brady tore ACL and MCL". The Boston Globe. 2008-09-10. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
  44. ^ Reiss, Mike (2008-09-22). "Patriots had no answers for Miami's scheme". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-09-21.
  45. ^ Guregian, Karen (2008-08-26). "Tom Brady MIA at Kickoff Gala". Boston Herald The Point After. Retrieved 2008-08-26.


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