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…

• Ryan Hannable reviews Tom Brady’s history against the Baltimore Ravens.
• Despite any trash talk that you may hear, remember that the Ravens really respect the Patriots, especially Tom Brady.
• I dig a little deeper into the Patriots’ last two games against the Ravens, including re-visiting analysis from those games.
• Check Bill Belichick’s press conference transcript from yesterday.
• Someone’s ripping Ravens QB Joe Flacco? It’s not anyone on the Patriots, but Flacco’s own teammate, Ed Reed.
• Has the Patriots’ defense turned the corner or did Saturday’s performance not tell us much? Vote in the poll HERE.
• Why is Devin McCourty a fit at safety? Defensive backs coach Josh Boyer explains.
• Are the Patriots being 7 1/2 point favorites over the Ravens too much?
• Funnyman Conan O’Brien created a song parody using Rob Gronkowski, Zoltan Mesko, and assistant strength and conditioning coach Moses Cabrera.
• WEEI’s Kirk Minihane states why the Patriots will win on Sunday.
• The Ravens’ performances on the road this season do not inspire confidence in the team.