ESPN

Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma has been posting comments about his opponents each week on his PlayMaker Mobile page, and his thoughts on one Patriots player caught the eye this week:

"Nobody talks about their tight ends but they have two great tight ends. Ben Watsonand Chris Baker. You can't sleep on New England's tight ends. Ben Watson is one of the most underrated guys in the league, but of course he doesn't get the spotlight playing behind Moss and Welker."

Watson is having one of the best seasons of his six-year career in New England, with 20 receptions for 307 yards and four touchdowns.

A look at snaps played by Patriots offensive skill-position players in the team’s 31-14 win over the Jets:

WR Randy Moss – 76 of 83 snaps
WR Wes Welker – 64 of 83
TE Chris Baker – 57 of 83
TE Benjamin Watson – 56 of 83
RB Kevin Faulk – 39 of 83
RB Laurence Maroney – 37 of 83
WR Julian Edelman – 28 of 83
WR Isaiah Stanback – 23 of 83
RB/FB BenJarvus Green-Ellis – 20 of 83
FB Dan Connolly – 5 of 83
WR Matthew Slater – 5 of 83
TE Mark LeVoir – 3 of 83

(snaps include an offensive holding penalty, defensive holding penalty, offensive pass interference penalty and two delay of game penalties)

ANALYSIS: The 83 snaps tied a season-high for a game (vs. Falcons) and reflected the decisive time of possession advantage the Patriots had (39:54-20:06). … Maroney’s 37 snaps were a season-high. His 23 carries were the third highest total of his career (including playoffs) as his hard running – and the fact he seemed to be get stronger later in the game -- was a big part of the win. … Edelman’s playtime spiked from last week (5 snaps vs. Colts) as he was part of three- and four-receiver sets. … One of the interesting parts of the game was how Connolly started at right guard then moved to fullback on the start of the second series of the game before returning to guard. … Green-Ellis lined up as a lead-blocking fullback, running back, and in the shotgun in a two-back set. … Slater was the lone receiver in a power set with two tight ends and lead-blocking fullback.

FOXBOROUGH -- Defensive end Ty Warren, who did not practice Wednesday, upped his workload during Thursday's practice. Warren was listed on the team's participation report as being limited in team drills during the session.

In addition to Warren, receiver Sam Aiken also increased his workload. After not practicing Wednesday because of a hip injury, he took part in limited team drills Thursday.

Did Not Practice:
OLB Tully Banta-Cain (groin/rib)
DE Jarvis Green (knee)
G Stephen Neal (head)
LB Rob Ninkovich (knee)
RB Fred Taylor (ankle)

Limited participation:
WR Sam Aiken (hip)
LB Eric Alexander (groin)
TE Chris Baker (shoulder)
NT Ron Brace (ankle)
WR Julian Edelman (forearm)
C Dan Koppen (knee)
LT Matt Light (knee)
RB Sammy Morris (knee)
DE Ty Warren (ankle)

Full participation:
QB Tom Brady (right shoulder)
CB Shawn Springs (knee)
TE Benjamin Watson (back)

LB Gary Guyton (illness) and WR Randy Moss (not injury related) were removed from the participation report.

On the Jets' side, LB Vernon Gholston (hamstring) and S Jim Leonhard (thumb) did not participate for the second day in a row, DE Shaun Ellis and WR Brad Smith (quad) were limited for the second straight day, and LB Bryan Thomas (toe) once again had full participation. Long snapper James Dearth (not injury related) was removed from the report.

The banged-up Patriots added tight end Chris Baker and outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain to their injury report Thursday, as both players were limited in practice.

Baker, who wore a red non-contact jersey during Thursday's session, has a shoulder injury. Banta-Cain, the team's top pass rusher who is enjoying a rebound-type season, has a groin injury.

The Patriots had 10 players who didn't participate in Thursday's practice: linebacker Eric Alexander (groin), receiver Julian Edelman (forearm), defensive end Jarvis Green (knee), center Dan Koppen (knee), left tackle Matt Light (knee), safety Brandon Meriweather (foot), running back Sammy Morris (knee), receiver Brandon Tate (knee), running back Fred Taylor (ankle), and defensive lineman Ty Warren (ankle).

For the Colts, defensive end Dwight Freeney returned to practice after being held out of Wednesday's session for non-injury-related reasons. Receiver Anthony Gonzalez (knee), cornerback Kelvin Hayden (knee), quarterback Jim Sorgi (right shoulder), and kicker Adam Vinatieri (right knee) did not practice.