FOXBORO -- Bill Belichick plainly stated yesterday that his performance Sunday against the Bills was as bad as anyone's.
"Any player you want to mention, and any coach -- head coach, assistant coach -- we got beat as a team," he said. "They outdid us in every area. I don't know how else I can put it. I can sit here and say anybody did a great job because they didn't. Me included."
Belichick already said before the Bills game that the timing of Lawyer Milloy's release was bad and unforeseen. And he expressed that privately to his team.
Yesterday he was talking about the game itself.
"There were a lot of things I'd like to have back in that game," he said. "A lot of things. I'll be the first to admit it. I made some mistakes. As many as anybody. My job is to look at the mistakes, try to correct them and not make them again. Win or lose."
Asked for a specific mistake that would illustrate what he meant, Belichick said, "More than one. More than one."
Then he added, "We've had the autopsy and we're past it. Do you want to bring it back to life and kill it again? How many bullets can you pump into a dead body?"
One Patriot said Belichick's admission was beneficial.
"When a leader can do something like that and prove he's human, it's appealing and can make a difference," he said. "When you admit it, it can bring a closeness to the team and creates a bond."
Said defensive lineman Rick Lyle, "It just lets you know everybody takes accountability, good or bad, players and coaches. It's about being accountable for what happened and owning up to that instead of pointing fingers. (Belichick's) always been that way. And when you start having coaches point fingers at their players it makes an adverse situation. It's not good for chemistry and it won't get you where you need to go. He was clear about it."
Johnson out
In addition to Ted Johnson being out of Sunday's game with the Eagles thanks to a broken foot, wide receiver David Givens (leg) is questionable and center Damien Woody (chest) is probable.
Philly hurting
The Eagles got slapped with some injuries Monday in their shutout loss to Tampa Bay. Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins (foot) is out and cornerback Bobby Taylor (foot) and defensive end Brandon Whiting are doubtful for the game. Rookie first-rounder Jerome McDougle was injured during the preseason and is out. Center Hank Fraley, defensive tackle Corey Simon and wide receiver James Thrash are all probable.
All of those players are important to Philadelphia.
Asked specifically about Philly's secondary losses, Belichick said, "They have depth in the secondary. They have two high draft choices from last year -- (Lito) Sheppard and (Sheldon) Brown -- they've been trying to work in there. I think they have good depth at corner and safety. And Taylor and Dawkins are tough players and we're planning on them being there."
Tough birds
Belichick throws bouquets at every team the Patriots are about to play, but it's clear he really respects the Eagles and their staff.
"They've been in the NFC Championship the last two years," said Belichick. "They're well-coached. It goes without saying it's a very good football team.
Running back Duce Staley will be with the Eagles Sunday. He was absent from the preseason meeting between the teams thanks to a contract dispute. There's no difference, Belichick said, between the Eagles' playbook whether it's Staley or backup Correll Buckhalter in the lineup.
"They run the same stuff with everybody," he said. "Same offense, same plays. They do what they do and they do it pretty well no matter who's in there."
A chance to pitch in
Patriots players and cheerleaders will be on hand Tuesday, September 30 at Gillette Stadium as the Patriots are partnering with the Red Cross in a drive to promote blood donations. Blood donors will have the opportunity to meet with players and cheerleaders at the drive, which will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Dr. Mary O'Neill of the Red Cross and Patriots owner Robert Kraft were on hand yesterday to announce the event and the team's initiative. For more information, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.
