Pats' prep has Ravens all wet

By MIKE LOWE, Portland Press Herald Writer

Copyright © 2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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FOXBORO, Mass. — Bill Belichick is legendary for his game preparation. Apparently, that includes the weather as well. After Belichick's New England Patriots defeated the Baltimore Ravens 24-3 in a driving rain at Gillette Stadium, he said the team sometimes practices in the rain to learn how to do it.

"I know it drives everyone crazy, but there's no way to simulate it," he said. "You can talk about it, but the only way to get out there and deal with it is to get out there and learn how to play with your feet under you, learn how to handle the ball, learn how to throw the ball where your receivers have a chance to catch it around their body and, defensively, making sure you defend the field from the inside out.

"All of those elements only come up a few times. It might be in practice, it might be in a game this year or a game next year. You hope you can recall those experiences and build on them."

Adam Vinatieri, who kicked three field goals, said conditions were as bad as he's ever played in.

"This one, maybe the snow game against Oakland," he said. "This was as bad as it gets because of the field conditions and the wet conditions. It's just hard on everyone, unless you're an offensive or defensive lineman. But anyone who has to catch the ball or handle the ball, it becomes a problem."

Despite the conditions, Vinatieri said he didn't make any adjustments on his kicks, especially the 48-yarder in the third period. The wind, which was gusting, wasn't a factor, he said, because the ball was so wet.

"If it had been dry and the wind was blowing and the ball was drier, it would have been different," he said. "But the ball was wet and heavier. So I just tried to kick it in the middle and get it into the air."

He wore longer cleats on his shoes - the only adjustment in his game.

"You try to figure things out," he said. "But, honestly, I haven't kicked in many days it was this bad. So you do the best you can and hope you're successful."

THE SECONDARY was further depleted.

Cornerback Asante Samuel (shoulder) joined Tyrone Poole, slow coming back from a right knee injury, and Ty Law (broken foot) on the inactive list.

That prompted the move of safety Eugene Wilson to cornerback. Originally drafted as a cornerback out of Illinois, this was his first NFL start at the position. All 24 of his previous starts had been at safety.

At times the Patriots had linebacker Don Davis at safety, with rookies Randall Gay and Dexter Reid and third-year player Earthwind Moreland in the secondary as well. Wide receiver Troy Brown was used in passing situations.

"Those guys all had to take on different roles and we had to back them all up," said Belichick. "We brought Omare (Lowe) from the practice squad on Saturday, just to kind of cover ourselves there a little bit. Those guys worked on it all week. We were trying to be prepared for the contingencies and the different situations that could come up today. I thought they did a pretty good job of managing it."

Davis, considered the fastest linebacker, said it really wasn't much of an adjustment for him.

"The techniques are about the same," he said. "At linebacker you have to backpedal in pass coverage. I've always been a pass cover linebacker, so it comes really natural. It's just a matter of adjusting some of your footwork and reading differently. I just can't run up there and read the run all the time."

COREY DILLON went over the 1,000-yard barrier on his first carry of the day, a 5-yard run off left end. It came in his 10th game of the season - he missed the Pittsburgh loss.

He achieved that milestone in the fewest games of any rusher in Patriots' history. Curtis Martin (1997) and Jim Nance (1966) both went over 1,000 in 11 games.

Dillon also rushed for more than 100 yards, the sixth time this season he has done that - a career best.

MIKE FLYNN, a former University of Maine center, saw extensive playing time on the offensive line for the Ravens. He is a backup guard and center.

Flynn had started all but one game for the Ravens the last two years, but was hurt early this season.

MATT LIGHT, who started his 52nd consecutive game at left tackle for the Patriots, left with an apparent left leg injury with 11:18 remaining in the fourth quarter.

When asked about Light's condition, Belichick - who is hesitant to disclose any injury information - said, "I'm not sure exactly. Hopefully he will be all right."

Staff Writer Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at:

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