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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Isaac Sopoaga celebrated his 32nd birthday nearly two months ago.
Sopoaga spent the first eight years of his career with the San Francisco 49ers and played in the Super Bowl earlier this year before being signed by Philadelphia as an unrestricted free agent in March. The 6-foot-2, 330-pounder recorded 10 tackles for the Eagles.
"We have to be able to adjust during the game when those situations occur or during the week or during the year if it's a long-term thing."
Sopoaga sure has some big shoes to fill — as well as some developing gaps.
The massive defensive tackle feels like he received a belated gift this week when the New England Patriots acquired him from Philadelphia at the trade deadline.
In addition to their veteran leadership, Carter and Sopoaga both will be counted on to shore up a rushing defense that ranks 31st in the league at 130.8 yards per game, ahead of only winless Jacksonville.
The Patriots are now preparing for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-5) with a vastly different defensive cast than they started with in training camp.
The Patriots have acclimated to life without their stalwart linemen by leaning heavily on rookies Chris Jones and Joe Vellano. They also signed 34-year-old defensive end Andre Carter last week in the hope the 12-year veteran can rekindle some of the success he experienced in his lone season with the team in 2011, when he registered 10 sacks.
He has started in 87 of 133 career games with 465 tackles, 7½ sacks, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
The second half of the season appears to be getting brighter, though.
"When I found out yesterday, I was with the Eagles and then after I had to drive to South Jersey so I could pack my stuff and then get ready," Sopoaga said. "On the highway, even though it was like a 50 (miles per hour) speed limit, us Samoan people, we go double the speed limit.
"Today is my daughter's fourth birthday, but I feel like yesterday and today is my birthday,Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys," he said Wednesday, a day after the deal. "The Patriots, you know, it's like a dream come true, to be honest. Respect these guys the last 10 years. They won (the Super Bowl) three times. It's just an awesome feeling."
"He's basically played defensive tackle and nose tackle throughout his career," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "Strong guy, physical guy."
The proven run stopper,wholesale soccer jerseys, who started seven of the Eagles' first eight games this season, was brought on to bolster the Patriots' depleted defense that's struggled recently against the run.
Prior to the losses of Wilfork and Kelly, the Patriots were allowing 105 yards rushing per game and had permitted just one touchdown rushing through the first four games. Over their last four, including both losses, they are yielding 156.5 yards rushing — much of it up the middle — and three touchdowns.
Kelly returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since getting hurt Oct. 6 against Cincinnati, and Sopoaga is eager to get started with the team he was shocked to be traded to.
New England (6-2) has been without starting defensive tackles Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly for the past three weeks. Wilfork, the heart of the defense the last 10 years, was placed on season-ending injured reserve Oct. 3 with a torn right Achilles tendon, and Kelly has been sidelined for the last three games with a knee injury. Middle linebacker and leading tackler Jerod Mayo also was lost for the season, place on injured reserve two weeks ago with a torn pectoral muscle.
NOTES: In addition to Sopoaga,China NFL Jerseys, the Patriots received the Eagles' sixth-round pick in next year's draft in exchange for a fifth rounder. ... RB Shane Vereen returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since injuring his wrist in the season opener against Buffalo. Vereen was placed on injured reserve with the designation to return,Vans Old Skool Clearance, meaning he was ineligible to practice for six weeks and must miss at least eight games. With a bye looming in two weeks, the Patriots could have Vereen back on the field as soon as Week 11. . Quarterback Tom Brady was asked about his Halloween antics while growing up and admitted to throwing eggs at houses. "We egged, we (toilet papered) houses. We never ghosted. That's a new thing,Wholesale Jerseys China, I guess," Brady said.
"It's great to have all your players and be at full strength. The reality of it is that's usually not the case. Every team in the league goes through the same thing somewhere along the line," Belichick said. "All the players that are on the team have a role and they have to be ready when they're called on to perform that role.
"I was surprised, and something I've got to live with,China Jerseys, I've got to do, I've got to face, and you know, got to win." |
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