Patriots: One to go for 16-0

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Dec 29, 2007

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- "Spygate" seems long ago for the New England Patriots. They return to Giants Stadium, trying to finish their pursuit of perfection and a place in NFL history.

The Patriots play the New York Giants (10-5) tonight, three months after Bill Belichick and the three-time Super Bowl champions were put under a cloud of suspicion for videotaping an opponent's signals.

The focal point of the cameras this week will be the Patriots' bid to become the first team to win all 16 regular-season games.

"We've got a lot of records at stake, the most important one being the 16-0," quarterback Tom Brady said. "I hope we achieve that. It'd be a great feat for the team. We'd go down as the only team to be 16-0, so that's the goal I've got in mind."

The last team to go undefeated was the Miami Dolphins in 1972, when they won all 14 regular-season games en route to a 17-0 mark and a Super Bowl crown.

The Patriots' historic run created so much interest that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell yielded this week and gave CBS and NBC permission to simulcast the game, which originally was to be shown only on the NFL Network.

In September, Goodell made a different sort of ruling regarding the Patriots. He fined the team $250,000, Belichick $500,000 and took away a first-round draft pick for videotaping the New York Jets' defensive signals in the season opener at Giants Stadium.

Belichick refused to comment on the Patriots' season coming full circle.

"Right now, we don't really think too much about the record. We just think about this week," Belichick said.

Broncos' Smith near end?

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Rod Smith needs another operation on his surgically repaired left hip, and his NFL career could be over.

The Denver Broncos co-captain revealed Friday he needs another surgery. There's a strong possibility he'll require an artificial hip replacement, which almost certainly would end his 13-year NFL career.

"It's hard. Because, honestly, it could be the end of my career. It could be my last game as a professional athlete. My last game with the Denver Broncos could be this Sunday," said Smith, who has been out all season.

Colts give Sanders $37.5

million deal

INDIANAPOLIS -- Two-time Pro Bowler Bob Sanders signed a five- year contract extension, a deal that will keep him with the Indianapolis Colts through 2012 and makes him one of the league's highest-paid safeties.

The deal is worth $37.5 million and includes $20 million in guarantees, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been announced.

Around the league

-The NFL has fined official Jim Quirk one game check for inappropriate physical contact with players, including Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Barnett.

The fine totals $8,150, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Friday.

The decision came after Quirk grabbed Barnett by the neck and threw him to the ground while breaking up a scuffle during the Packers' loss at Chicago on Sunday.

-Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison will likely start Sunday night against the Titans after practicing a second day in a return from a left knee injury that has sidelined him most of the season.

Harrison has not played since Oct.22 at Jacksonville.

-The Saints have ruled running back Reggie Bush out for Sunday's game at Chicago.