The Patriots’ First Shot

Good morning! The First Shot provides you with a healthy helping of links to the top Patriots-related stories around the internet to get your day started. Enjoy your breakfast, your coffee, put off your work (just keep an eye out for the boss), and get your early morning football fix. The links begin after the jump…

• Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills is shaping up to be a high-scoring affair.
• With Aaron Hernandez out for Sunday’s game, will Chad Ochocinco see an increased role?
• Despite recent struggles, Devin McCourty remains confident.
• How does Adam Rank have a job at NFL.com? Through stories like this one?!
• Patriots en route to an undefeated season? It’s way too early to make that proclamation, especially with the defense playing the way that it’s playing.
• Albert Haynesworth did not participate in practice yesterday due to a back injury.
• The Patriots made some personnel moves yesterday, releasing LB A.J. Edds and promoting LB Jeff Tarpinian from the practice squad.
• The Pats are weary of Bills RB Fred Jackson, who is powering the Bills’ #1 scoring offense.