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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Leave it to Matt Light to put a unique spin on all the hoopla surrounding this week's Patriots-Broncos clash.

"No, I’m never surprised at what gets talked about any more," Light said when asked if he was surprised by all the hype around Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow and Saturday's Divisional round clash at Gillette Stadium. "I think I saw a seven-minute [television] piece on a girl that ate M&M’s while doing a handstand. And that was interesting; I got into it for a while. I just think that, any time there’s anything new -- and [Tebow is] obviously new -- he’s done some incredible things this season, I think the hype is justified. I think when you go out and lead a team like that, make the kind of plays that they are making, people are going to talk about you.

"I think we’ve always done one good thing here and that’s staying within our own locker room, staying within the framework of what we have to do and not get caught up in all that stuff. Hopefully that won’t be a factor."

Playoff stalwarts, the Patriots aren't exactly the sexy team any more, even as the top seed in the AFC after compiling a 13-3 regular-season record. First-game playoff exits their last two playoff appearances maybe naturally leaves New England's opponent in focus entering this weekend, but those struggles resonate with Light and his teammates that have been around for the overwhelming success last decade.

"Obviously, we haven’t done well -- well enough," he said. "So it sits in all of our minds, the guys that have been here, been a part of that [success]. You work that much, you put that much time into a season. You have success to a degree during the regular season, and then you go out and you can’t get it done in the postseason, that’s a difficult thing to swallow. I think that’s why guys you put a little more time in, a little bit more effort in. Hopefully you get a better outcome. And we’re working hard towards that. We’ve had a heck of a run through the regular season, had a lot of guys step up, and make a lot of plays to put us in this position. Now we gotta do something with it."

A few more highlights from Light's 10-minute Q&A with reporters on Wednesday:

* On Bill Belichick's week-to-week approach: "I’d say consistency, just his ability to stay focus to the nth degree, and to do that repetitively, week in and week out. It’s not an easy thing, obviously, running the team and putting up with a lot of guys like myself and the rest of the knuckleheads in that locker room, but I think coming in, setting that example with our entire coaching staff and how he approaches everything, it makes it easier for us to all fall in line."

* On offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien: "We’ve gone through some transitions, whether it’s Charlie [Weis] or Josh [McDaniels], then obviously Billy. I think Coach O’Brien’s done just a phenomenal job of handling the roles and responsibilities that come with being a coordinator, and really jumping into it from Day 1. He does a great job of getting us prepared, gives us great keys each week, the things that we have to do offensively. He really understands the game. He understands our entire offense. Obviously, it will be tough to lose him, but we’ve got some more battles yet to play out, and he’s in it for the long haul. So he’ll be good to go."

* On lessons learned from the first meeting with Denver: "I think we learned a lot from that first meeting. They are very talented group up front. They are all very active -- doesn't really matter what package they have in personnel wise. They present a lot of problems for pretty much everyone they’ve faced. I think having a little bit of experience, going through that [first game] -- albeit being a different situation being at home now -- [and] having gone up against them and see some of the things they’ve thrown at us, some of the things they’ve done since. We’ve got a lot to work on, but it’ll definitely be a big challenge for us."

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Patriots quarterback Tom Brady made reference to left tackle Matt Light being injured during the team's winning drive in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 20-16 triumph over the Cowboys at Gillette Stadium. It turns out Light got rolled up on when Brady executed a third-down quarterback sneak to move the chains with little more than a minute to play.



Light could be seen squirming in pain after the play and then he grabs at the right ankle before hobbling back towards the huddle (but the Patriots were in no-huddle mode and already lining up for the next play). With time ticking down, Light played two more snaps and did enough to hold off linebacker DeMarcus Ware as Brady completed two more passes. Patriots coach Bill Belichick called timeout right before Aaron Hernandez's 8-yard touchdown grab and Brady noted how the team put Logan Mankins in help for Light to prevent Ware from getting to the quarterback.

"I think [coach Belichick] was concerned with Matt [Light] because he knew he was hurting," Brady said Sunday. "He wanted to make sure that we had DeMarcus Ware under control. We helped [Light] out with the protection to give us a little more time and Logan helped out on that, too. It was good. As usual, Coach was right."

Veteran guard Brian Waters expanded on Light's gutsy effort on Wednesday before the team broke for five days during the bye week.

"I actually saw him get rolled up on the quarterback sneak," said Waters. "I saw him getting up very slowly. But he did a great job of surviving. That’s one of those things, where the adrenaline is pumping and you're doing what you need to do. One thing I found out about these guys: They're all fighters. That’s something that showed up, it was very evident in that situation."

Light sat out the team's final practice of the week on Wednesday. The Patriots do not have to turn in an official injury report during the bye week, but one would assume the break was related to getting that ankle healthy.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Even with 10 NFL seasons under his belt, New England Patriots left tackle Matt Light stressed Tuesday that reps remain integral to preparing him for the regular season.

"Regardless of how many times you've done it, repetition is really what gives you that confidence, it gives you the ability to go out there and do what you do," Light said while tackling football questions before the Patriots' Kickoff Gala at Gillette Stadium. "Some guys can go out there, walkthrough it and it just probably happens for them; Others like myself, I need the reps. It feels good to be back out there."

Light engaged in his first action of the preseason Saturday in Detroit, playing two series at left tackle before being replaced by rookie Nate Solder.

"It was good to be back out there," said Light. "The preseason is all about fine-tuning all the little things and doing what you gotta do. No matter how long you’ve been doing it, it’s always good to go out there and get those reps when it’s a game that you can work on all those little things. Obviously, it didn’t go the way we wanted it to as a team, overall, but for a lot of us, it was a chance to get out there, take a few more reps, get in tune with everything, and keep building for what's going to be eventful, long season, like it always is."

After a summer of uncertainty, Light inked a two-year, $12 million deal to return to New England. He acknowledged earlier in training camp that Solder will one day take over "for these old bones," but Light's veteran presence continues to anchor an offensive line in charge with keeping quarterback Tom Brady clean.

Light, who has missed only 20 games over his career, 13 of which came in one season, said he's feeling about as good as he can at this stage of his career.

"I feel pretty good," said Light. "I don’t know how fine you can feel at [age] 33 and 10 years in the National Football League, but yeah, I feel good."

Tackle Matt Light and the Patriots have agreed on a two-year contract, according to the Boston Globe.

Light, a 10-year veteran who has spent his entire career with New England, was an unrestricted free agent. He has made three Pro Bowls and won three Super Bowls.

Talking about Light this morning, director of player personnel Nick Casserio said, “Matt’s been a good player for us for a long time. I’d say there are discussions that are ongoing. I don’t want to put a timetable on it, but Matt’s made a lot of contributions to this team, he’s been a good player, so we’ll see what happens.”

For more on Light's reported new deal, click here.

New England Patriots offensive lineman Matt Light talked to ESPN’s Trey Wingo about what the team needs to improve most this offseason.

“The biggest thing that we need to do is spend more time around each other,” Light said. “It’s a totally different group. ... I think for the most part we’ve got a good core group of leaders, veterans that have been around for a long time but then there’s all these other guys, that fit into the rookie category, first or second year with the team. We need them to step up, as well as the leaders we have now, and really be more mentally sound.

"There are a lot of instances in those games where had we made one critical play at one specific moment it would have turned things around. We used to be able to do that on a consistent basis. Those are the things we’ve got to get back to.”

Light also touched on the fourth-and-2 call, the Super Bowl and more in the nine-minute interview. Watch the entire conversation above.

In his regularly scheduled interview on sports radio WEEI, coach Bill Belichick explained why the Patriots rotated at left tackle in Monday's 38-17 loss to the Saints.

"We just weren't sure about Matt [Light] playing all the plays in the game," Belichick said, as Light was playing for the first time since injuring his knee Oct. 11. "I thought Matt did a nice job. He hasn't played in several weeks and to throw him back in there for every snap, what we didn't want to do was get into a situation at the end of the game -- in a close game -- that he would kind of run out of gas. So we tried to spell him and give him a break in there along the way."

The Patriots inserted Mark LeVoir at left tackle for a few series each half.

"Mark did a good job, Matt did a good job, Nick [Kaczur] held up pretty well over there [at right tackle]," Belichick said. "I thought Light, for as much time as he missed and the quality of rusher Will Smith is, I thought he did a nice job over there."

NEW ORLEANS -- No one on the Patriots knows better the potential of Drew Brees than offensive tackle Matt Light, who was in charge of protecting the quarterback's blind side at Purdue.

Brees completed 18 of 23 passes for 371 yards with five touchdowns and a perfect 158.3 passer rating in New Orleans' 38-17 triumph over the Patriots Monday night at the Superdome.

"They're obviously hitting on all cylinders," said Light. "Drew does what Drew does. I was able to witness that for a number of years. He's got that offense running really well and they were definitely able to make a lot of plays. We got handled in every aspect and we've got to do better."

Light, who returned to game action for the first time since injuring his knee in a Week 5 loss at Denver, admitted it was nice to get back on the field, but it wasn't much of a silver lining considering the lopsided loss.

With Sebastian Vollmer sidelined with a head injury, Light was thrust back into his starting role at left tackle and split time with Mark LeVoir as part of a rotation at that spot.

Light was on the field for both of Laurence Maroney's touchdowns runs -- the only two times the Patriots found the end zone.

"We didn't execute when we needed to execute on offense," said Light. "[The Saints] went out and kept putting points on the board. They put a lot of pressure on us to get out there and make plays and we obviously came up short."

Light said the secret to turning things around was simple.

"Hard work, man. Guys go out there and do more," said Light. "As a team, we have to put a better outing out there in a hurry. I'm confident we have guys that can do that, so we'll get after it."

Rookie left tackle Sebastian Vollmer, who sustained a head injury in last week’s game, is not active for tonight’s contest against the Saints. Veteran Matt Light is likely to return to the starting spot at left tackle as he is active for the first time since injuring his right knee Oct. 11.

With rookie receiver Julian Edelman the third quarterback, if he plays before the fourth quarter that would mean that Tom Brady and Brian Hoyer – the top two quarterbacks – are ineligible to play. So it will be a limited role for Edelman (forearm injury) tonight.

Meanwhile, running back Sammy Morris is active for the first time since injuring his knee Oct. 18 and defensive lineman Jarvis Green is active for the first time since undergoing knee surgery during the bye week. That should help the Patriots in the run game -- offensively and defensively.

A couple of more points of analysis from the Patriots’ inactive players:

1) Linebacker Junior Seau, whose pre-game speeches have motivated players in recent weeks, is inactive for the first time since signing with the team. That thrusts Eric Alexander one notch up the depth chart behind Jerod Mayo and Gary Guyton at inside linebacker.

2) With defensive backs Kyle Arrington and Shawn Springs inactive, the Patriots have Jonathan Wilhite, Leigh Bodden, Darius Butler and Terrence Wheatley as their top corners. Wheatley gets the nod over Springs because of his special teams contributions (e.g. kickoff returns).

As mentioned in an earlier post, the Saints are without starting cornerbacks Jabari Greer (groin) and Tracy Porter (knee), which is a major development against the Patriots' 1-2 combination of Randy Moss and Wes Welker.

Former Patriot Randall Gay and rookie Malcolm Jenkins are expected to start.

The Patriots figured to spread the field and test the Saints' depth at corner regardless, but this could lead them even more so in that direction.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass., -- The Patriots are practicing inside the Dana-Farber Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon and rookie left tackle Sebastian Vollmer was not present for the start of the session, casting doubt on his availability for Monday's game in New Orleans.

Vollmer sustained a head injury in last Sunday's win over the Jets, although he returned to action in that game.

Vollmer, who did not practice Friday, has started the team's last five games.

If Vollmer does not play Monday, veteran Matt Light would likely slide back in at left tackle. Light has been out since injuring his right knee in the second half of the team's loss in Denver Oct. 11, but appears close to a return. Swing tackle Mark LeVoir is another possibility.

Veteran running back Fred Taylor (ankle) was the other player not spotted at the start of practice, while rookie receiver Julian Edelman (forearm) returned after missing Friday's session.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass., -- There was mixed news regarding injured Patriots offensive linemen Friday, as starting right guard Stephen Neal (head) was participating at the start of practice while rookie left tackle Sebastian Vollmer (head) was not present.

Furthermore, starting right tackle Nick Kaczur, who played through what appeared to be an ankle injury in Sunday's win over the Jets, looked like he was battling through pain.

Although nothing is set in stone, Mark LeVoir worked at right tackle, while Matt Light was at left tackle.

With a noisy environment expected Monday night, the Patriots' offensive line will be tested while working with a silent snap count. The unit's makeup figures to be an important pre-game storyline.

Neal did not play last Sunday against the Jets, while Vollmer was injured during the game but returned to action.

Rookie receiver Julian Edelman (forearm), running back Fred Taylor (ankle) and Vollmer (head) were the three players not spotted at the start of practice, which was held inside the Dana-Farber Fieldhouse.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. –- Analysis from the New England Patriots' inactive players vs. the New York Jets:

1. Starting right guard Stephen Neal (head) is out, with four-year veteran Dan Connolly the projected fill-in. Rookie Rich Ohrnberger is active for the first time and he is the top backup at center/guard.

2. Left tackle Matt Light (knee) is inactive, meaning that rookie Sebastian Vollmer is slated to start for the fifth straight game. Mark LeVoir is once again the swing tackle.

3. While defensive end Jarvis Green (knee) is out, fellow defensive end Ty Warren (ankle) will play after missing last Sunday’s game. Mike Wright projects to start in Green’s place, with rookies Myron Pryor and Ron Brace the next linemen on the depth chart. Strong line play figures to be crucial against the physical Jets and their No. 1-rated rushing attack.

4. Running back Sammy Morris (knee) is out, so that leaves just three rushers -– Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk and BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Maroney projects to be the lead back.

5. With receiver and special teams captain Sam Aiken (hip) inactive, the Patriots figure to lean more on Isaiah Stanback and Julian Edelman as a No. 3 receiver, while rookie Pat Chung projects to take over some of Aiken’s special teams duties.

6. Linebacker Rob Ninkovich (knee) is out, so the Patriots lose a backup sub rusher and special teams player. Eric Alexander (groin) is back in the lineup to help fill that void.

7. Cornerback Shawn Springs is out for the second straight week. This seems tied in part to the team calling on Kyle Arrington (four special teams tackles the last two games) and Terrence Wheatley (kickoff returns) on special teams.

8. Outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain (rib, groin) is active for the game. He is the Patriots' best pass rusher.

FOXBOROUGH -- With Matt Light close to returning to action -- he's been out since injuring his right knee Oct. 11 against the Broncos -- the question is how that would potentially shake up the lineup.

In "Bruschi's Breakdown", former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi made the point that a rotation is likely in the short term.

"In the past, when a player has had a long layoff, they are worked back into the rotation. Sebastian Vollmer has been playing so well lately, there isn't really a reason to immediately take him out of the starting lineup. If Vollmer wasn't playing as well, I'd say put Light in there now, but with Light coming back from a serious knee injury, to work him back gradually would be the right thing to do. When Light gets those game reps under his belt again, and starts to feel 100 percent, that's when the Patriots' coaches will have a tough decision to make. As of now, my sense is that Light will work back into the lineup in a situational role."

Friday at Gillette Stadium, Patriots coach Bill Belichick was asked if Light might be a fit at right tackle. The thinking might have been that with Vollmer playing well, perhaps Light could be inserted into the mix on the right side.

Belichick's answer made me think it wasn't a likely option.

"I'm not saying he can't do it, but I think he's better on the left side," he said.

So in the end, the feeling here is that Light will rotate in at left tackle when he returns to action -- probably Sunday -- and then a more definitive decision at the position will come either against the Saints or Dolphins.

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.

ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss spotlights a potential New England Patriots storyline this week: If Matt Light is close to returning from injury, does he return to his starting left tackle spot or do the Patriots stick with rookie Sebastian Vollmer, who has excelled in a fill-in role? Most notably, Vollmer helped to slow Colts pass rusher Dwight Freeney on Sunday.

Check out the video below:

In an encouraging sign for the Patriots on the injury front, left tackle Matt Light, center Dan Koppen, running back Sammy Morris, receiver Julian Edelman and safety Brandon Meriweather were present for the start of the team's Friday practice inside the Dana-Farber Field House.

The only players not spotted at the start of practice were rookie receiver Brandon Tate (knee), veteran running back Fred Taylor (right ankle), and defensive lineman Jarvis Green (knee).

Light has been out since the team's Oct. 11 loss to Denver with a right knee injury and Morris (knee) and Edelman (forearm) have not played since being injured in an Oct. 18 victory over Tennessee. Koppen left last Sunday's win over the Dolphins with a knee injury and Meriweather, who played every snap Sunday, had missed the last two days of practice with a foot injury.

As expected, two sets of speakers were set up along the sideline Friday as the Patriots prepared to work in noisy conditions in anticipation of a raucous environment at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Sunday night. The Patriots traditionally practice indoors when preparing to play in an indoor venue.