Light limited, but he practices

Light limited, but he practices
December 20
Boston Globe
"Left tackle Matt Light took a major step toward playing tomorrow against the Cardinals, practicing yesterday for the first time since injuring his right shoulder in the Patriots' 49-26 victory over the Raiders last Sunday.

Light, who is listed as questionable, had limited participation in practice, but the fact he practiced is an indication he could be a game-time decision.

Light hasn't missed a regular-season game since he broke his leg in the third game of the 2005 season and missed the remainder of the season. He has been a sturdy staple protecting the blind side of Patriots quarterbacks.

When Light was forced to leave against the Raiders with 10:01 remaining in the second quarter, injured pulling on a LaMont Jordan run to the right, he was replaced by Mark LeVoir.

LeVoir, who is questionable with an ankle injury, seemed to believe Light will probably play, but said he'll be ready if called. If Light is out, LeVoir could fill in at left tackle or the Patriots could slide right tackle Nick Kaczur, who took Light's place in 2005, to the left side and plug LeVoir in on the right side.

"For me, there is no preference," said LeVoir. "I switch it up in practice and work on both sides. The difference is really that it's just a different stance and you flip the plays around."

In other news on the injury front, safety James Sanders, who missed his sixth straight practice with an abdomen injury, is listed as doubtful. Safety/special teamer Ray Ventrone was added to the practice participation/injury report with an ankle injury and is questionable.

Wintry forecast

Weather figures to be a factor in tomorrow's game. The forecast calls for a mix of rain, snow, and wind. Coach Bill Belichick had his team practice outside yesterday.

Belichick tried to downplay the advantage the wintry weather might give the Patriots. He said the Patriots have young players who don't have experience in the snow.

Rookie linebacker Jerod Mayo said yesterday he'd never played organized football in the snow, and safety Brandon Meriweather offered Mayo simple advice: "Dress warm."

"Some of our younger guys here aren't exactly from the winter wonderland," quipped Belichick.

Belichick made it clear the Patriots' opponent is the Cardinals, not the conditions.

"I don't think it's about the weather, the wind, or the sun, or any of that," he said. "I think it's about whether we can go out there and collectively play and coach and execute better than the Arizona Cardinals.

"I think the rest of it, yeah, it's a little bit of a factor, but we're not going to get beat by the wind; we're going to get beat by the Cardinals. If we beat the Cardinals, it will be because we played better.""
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