New England Patriots defeat San Francisco 49ers, 21-7

Maybe the Patriots did try to approach yesterday's 21-7 win over San Francisco like any other game.

But there was one interesting experiment -- Bethel Johnson returning punts.

Johnson had one career punt return before yesterday, the 2003 second-round pick from Texas A&M returning one Opening Day last season against Buffalo for 2 yards.

Johnson has been an explosive kick returner, but the Patriots had kept him from punt duty likely because of his inexperience in a spo...

The coach perhaps has gotten the biggest piece of the credit pie for the Patriots' success the last four seasons, but yesterday Bill Belichick gladly cut the largest piece for his players for enduring a season of injuries and the pressures associated with staying atop the mountain during a second consecutive 14-win season.

"For what they've been through this year, I think you have to give a lot of credit to the players for their diligence, their perseverance, and for ba...

Rohan Davey understands the position he's in. He's every vice president there ever was. He's a heartbeat away from being the leader of a team that frankly has no interest in seeing him perform those duties.

He's one-third of the Tennessee Three standing behind Elvis humming when nobody is listening. He's not Gladys Knight. He's one of the Pips.

No, it is not easy being Rohan Davey, who every day must prepare as if he's significant while knowing he won't be unless dis...

There were just under 9 1/2 minutes to go in the third quarter yesterday when Patriots running back Corey Dillon broke free and ambled toward the end zone with San Francisco defenders Dwaine Carpenter and Ronnie Heard grabbing and clawing and pulling at his jersey. They finally hauled Dillon down at the 14-yard line, but not before he gained 29 yards.

That's all he needed. Dillon dropped the football and headed for the sideline without so much as a glance back at his qu...