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In their first meeting, the Wildcat ran wild. Miami's star running back and New England's head coach tackle the unorthodox formation. Plus, news and notes from Wednesday's practice.

Patriots.com News Blitz - 11/19/2008

News from New England and the Miami area in advance of the Sunday showdown between the Patriots and Dolphins.

Ask PFW: Battling for the division

The Patriots head into Sunday's game at Miami tied with the Dolphins for second place in a highly competitive AFC East. The winner of the contest will answer a few questions heading down the stretch toward the postseason. For all the other questions surrounding the Patriots we bring another wide-ranging edition of Ask PFW.

Pats ready for Wild weekend in Miami; Tues. notes

After seeing the Dolphins' Wildcat formation rip it to shreds in Week 3, New England is doing everything it can to prevent a repeat performance this weekend.

Patriots.com News Blitz - 11/18/2008

Joey Porter's running his mouth again. Read all about that and the other news and notes leading up to this weekend's Patriots-Dolphins game in today's Patriots.com News Blitz.

53 Larry Izzo LB

  Height: 5-10   Weight: 228
  Year: 12   Yrs/Pat: 7
  Pro Bowl: 2000, 2002, 2004
  Acquired: UFA (MIA)-01
  School: Rice
  Major: Managerial Studies
  Born: Sep 26, 1974 Fort Belvoir VA

Personal Lawrence Alexander Izzo was born the son of Larry and Terry Izzo on Sept. 26, 1974 in Fort Belvoir, Va. ... He attended McCullough High in Houston and earned two letters as a starting safety and running back ... Earned first-team all-district 15-5A honors at safety his junior year, and first-team all-district accolades on both offense and defense as a senior ... Finalist for the Touchdown Club of Houston Defensive Player of the Year award as a senior after tallying 131 tackles, two interceptions and four forced fumbles ... Also rushed for 1,081 yards, caught 14 passes for 109 yards, and returned 10 kickoffs for 224 yards ... Recognized by the Houston Chronicle as the two-way Player of the Year ... Also lettered two years in baseball ... Enjoys golf, tennis and water and snow skiing ... Has worked with Special Olympics and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation ... Helped the Daily Bread Food Bank with food distribution at a shelter in Ft. Lauderdale ... While at the 2002 Pro Bowl, visited 8,500 crew members aboard the U.S.S. Carl Vinson at Pearl Harbor, and the ship left the next day to participate in Operation Enduring Freedom … Named to Football Digest’s 1999 All-Tough Guy Team … Graduated from Rice University with a degree in business in the spring of 2002 … Larry and his wife Mara were married on Feb. 21, 2004.
Career Transactions Larry Izzo was signed by the Patriots as an unrestricted free agent on March 6, 2001 ... Originally signed with the Miami Dolphins as a rookie free agent (04/25/96) ... Placed on injured reserve with an Achilles injury (08/18/97) and missed the season ... Granted free agency (02/12/99), but re-signed with the Dolphins (03/31/99) ... Granted unconditional free agency (03/01/01).
Career Highlights Career GP/GS: 140/0 (15/0) Izzo has led his team in special teams tackles six of his last seven seasons, dating back to the 1999 season when he played for the Miami Dolphins. He has paced the Patriots in special teams tackles in four of his five seasons in New England. Izzo has led the Patriots with 118 special teams tackles over the past four seasons (2001-05). Izzo has been voted special teams captain by his Patriots teammates for five consecutive seasons (2001-05). Izzo has recorded a total of 214 special teams tackles in 140 career regular-season games. He has added 15 career special teams tackles in 15 career playoff games. Izzo earned his third career Pro Bowl nod as the AFC's special teams representative in 2004, after leading the Patriots with 28 special teams tackles. Izzo successfully converted a fake punt in the 2005 Pro Bowl, earning a first down for the AFC on a 27-yard run. By virtue of the fake punt, Izzo was the AFC's leading rusher through three quarters. Izzo has missed just one game since the beginning of the 1999 season, playing in 95 of 96 total games over the last six seasons, heading into 2005. Recorded his highest special teams tackle total as a Patriot in 2003 when he led the team with 31 special teams stops. Snared his first career interception in the 2003 regularseason finale against Buffalo (12/27/03), picking off a Travis Brown pass in the end zone with 13 seconds left to preserve New England's 31-0 shutout. Earned his second career Pro Bowl nod in 2002 after leading the Patriots with 20 special teams tackles. Named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week following his performance against Kansas City (09/22/02) in which he recorded six special teams tackles (5 solo), the most by a player in an NFL game since Jerald Sowell had seven for the N.Y. Jets (10/15/00). Finished the 2001 season tied for the NFL lead with 22 special teams tackles (Tampa Bay's Dwight Smith). Earned Pro Bowl honors in 2000 after recording over 30 special teams tackles for the Dolphins for the second consecutive season. Awarded special teams game balls for his performances after three games for the Dolphins in 1999. Izzo has converted two fake punts for first downs, including a 26-yard run at Houston (11/17/96) as a rookie and a 39-yard run vs. Green Bay (10/29/00). Izzo was the Dolphins recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award in 1998.
College Four-year letterman (1992-95) and three-year starter at Rice ... Finished fourth on the school’s all-time chart with 301 career tackles ... Set a school record with 46 tackles for loss. 1995 (Senior): Voted defensive team captain and earned consensus All-Southwest Conference honors after registering 121 tackles ... Won the George Martin Award as the team’s MVP and won the Jess Neely Defense Award as the team’s top linebacker. 1994 (Junior): Posted a career-high three sacks.
2006 Season 2006 (16/0/0/0): Was voted special teams captain for the 2006 season by his teammates ... Has missed just one game since the beginning of the 1999 season ... Led the team or tied for the team lead in special teams tackles four times in 2006 (at BUF, at MIN, vs. HOU, at TEN). Buffalo (9/10): Played in a reserve role on special teams coverage units in the Patriots' 19-17 victory over the Bills. at N.Y. Jets (9/17): Saw action on special teams and registered a tackle in the Patriots' 24-17 win over the N.Y. Jets. Denver (9/24): Saw action in a reserve role at linebacker on the goalline ... Played on special teams coverage units. at Cincinnati (10/1): Collected a solo special teams tackle in the Patriots' commanding 38-13 victory over the Bengals. vs. Miami (10/8): Played on special teams coverage units in the Patriots' 20-10 win over the Dolphins. at Buffalo (10/22): Registered a solo special teams tackle in the Patriots' 28-6 road victory over the Bills. at Minnesota (10/30): Tied for the team lead with two special teams tackles in the Patriots' commanding 31-7 road win against the Vikings. Indianapolis (11/5): Saw action on special teams coverage units. vs. N.Y. Jets (11/12): Played on special teams coverage units. at Green Bay (11/19): Notched a special teams tackle on coverage units in the Patriots' 35-0 road victory over the Packers. vs. Chicago (11/26): Played on special teams coverage units and goalline packages in the Patriots' 17-13 victory over the Bears. vs. Detroit (12/3): Notched a solo special teams tackle on coverage units in the Patriots' 28-21 comeback victory over the Lions. at Miami (12/10): Saw action on special teams coverage units. vs. Houston (12/17): Led the team with four special teams tackles in the Patriots' commanding 40-7 victory over the Texans ... Stuffed Dexter Wynn for just a 14-yard gain with a fierce hit on a kickoff return in the first quarter ... Saw action at inside linebacker and registered a solo stop. at Jacksonville (12/24): Registered a solo special teams tackle on coverage units in the Patriots' 24-21 division-clinching win over the Jaguars. at Tennessee (12/31): Led the team with three special teams tackles in the Patriots' 40-23 victory over the Titans. 2006 Postseason (3/0/0/0): vs. N.Y. Jets (1/7): Led the team with five special teams tackles on coverage units in the Patriots' 37-16 AFC Wild Card victory over the N.Y. Jets. at San Diego (1/14): Saw action on special teams coverage units in the Patriots' 24-21 AFC Divisional playoff victory over the Chargers. at Indianapolis (1/21): Registered a solo tackle on special teams coverage units.
2005 Season 2005 (16/0/0/0): Was voted special teams captain for the 2005 season by his teammates … Has missed just one game since the beginning of the 1999 season … Finished second on the team with 18 special teams tackles … Registered two solo tackles in defensive play. Oakland (9/8): Saw action on special teams coverage units in the Patriots’ 30-20 victory over the Raiders on opening night. at Carolina (9/18): Saw action on special teams cover units and made one solo special teams stop. at Pittsburgh (9/25): Played on special teams and collected a solo tackle on coverage units in the Patriots’ 23-20 victory over the Steelers. San Diego (10/2): Registered one tackle on special teams coverage units. at Atlanta (10/9): Tied for the team lead with three solo special teams stops in the Patriots’ 31-28 win over the Falcons … Stonewalled Allen Rossum at the Atlanta 19-yard line for only a 13- yard gain on a kickoff return in the first quarter. at Denver (10/16): Collected a solo special teams tackle on coverage units. Buffalo (10/30): Played on special teams in the Patriots’ 21-16 victory over the Bills on Sunday Night Football. Indianapolis (11/7): Saw action on special teams coverage units. at Miami (11/13): Collected a solo tackle on special teams coverage units in the Patriots’ 23-16 road victory over the Dolphins. New Orleans (11/20): Led the team with three special teams tackles in the Patriots’ 24-17 win over the Saints. at Kansas City (11/27): Collected a special teams stop on coverage units … Forced the Chiefs to kick a field goal by batting down a pass intended for Tony Gonzalez in the end zone on third-and-two during the first quarter. N.Y. Jets (12/4): Notched a solo special teams tackle in the Patriots’ 16-3 victory over the Jets. at Buffalo (12/11): Tied for the team lead with two special teams tackles in the Patriots’ commanding 35-7 road victory over the Bills. Tampa Bay (12/17): Saw action on special teams coverage units in the Patriots’ 28-0 shutout victory over the Buccaneers. at N.Y. Jets (12/26): Saw action on coverage units and collected a special teams tackle in the Patriots’ 31-21 victory over the Jets … Saw action at linebacker in the fourth quarter and registered a solo tackle in defensive play. Miami (1/1): Saw action at middle linebacker and registered a solo tackle … Tied for the team lead with two special teams stops. 2005 Postseason (2/0/0/0): Jacksonville (1/7): Saw action on special teams coverage units in the Patriots' 28-3 AFC Wild Card victory over the Jaguars. at Denver (1/14): Tied for the team lead with two solo special teams tackles.
2004 season 2004 (16/0, 3/0): Played in all 16 games, primarily on special teams coverage units … Named to his third Pro Bowl … Led the team with 28 special teams tackles … Was voted special teams captain for the 2004 season by his teammates. Indianapolis (9/9): Saw action on special teams and collected two solo tackles on kickoff coverage in the Patriots' 27-24 victory over the Colts. at Arizona (9/19): Collected a solo tackle on special teams coverage in the Patriots' 23-12 victory over the Cardinals. at Buffalo (10/3): Led the team with three special teams tackles in the Patriots' 31-17 victory over the Bills. Miami (10/10): Saw action on special teams and recorded three special teams stops in the Patriots' 24-10 victory over the Dolphins. Seattle (10/17): Played in a reserve role on special teams in the Patriots' 30-20 victory over the Seahawks. N.Y. Jets (10/24): Led the team with two special teams tackles in the Patriots' 13-7 win over the N.Y. Jets. at Pittsburgh (10/31): Participated on special teams coverage units and collected a solo stop against the Steelers. at St. Louis (11/7): Saw action on special teams and led the team with four tackles in the Patriots' 40-22 road win against the Rams. Buffalo (11/14): Registered a special teams tackle in the Patriots' commanding 29-6 victory over the Bills. at Kansas City (11/22): Played on special teams coverage units in the Patriots' 27-19 Monday Night victory over the Chiefs. Baltimore (11/28): Led the team with three special teams tackles in the Patriots' 24-3 victory over the Ravens ... Stuffed B.J. Sams for only a 13-yard gain on a kickoff return in the third quarter. at Cleveland (12/5): Tied for the team lead with two special teams tackles in the Patriots' 42-15 victory over the Browns ... Tallied a solo tackle at linebacker in defensive play. Cincinnati (12/12): Tied for the team lead with three special teams tackles in the Patriots' AFC East clinching 35-28 victory over the Bengals. at Miami (12/20): Collected a solo tackle on special teams coverage units. at N.Y. Jets (12/26): Registered a solo tackle on special teams in the Patriots' 23-7 victory over the Jets. San Francisco (1/2): Collected a special teams stop in the Patriots' 21-7 victory over the 49ers. 2004 Postseason (3/0/0/0): Indianapolis (1/16): Registered a solo tackle on special teams coverage units in the Patriots' 20-3 victory over the Colts. at Pittsburgh (1/23): Saw action on special teams coverage units in the Patriots' 41-27 AFC Championship victory over the Steelers. Philadelphia (2/6): Tallied a solo special teams tackle in the Patriots' 24-21 victory over the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX.
2003 Season 2003 (16/0, 3/0): Was voted special teams captain for the 2003 season by his teammates … Played in all 16 games and has missed just one game since the beginning of the 1999 season … Led the team with 31 special teams tackles, his highest total as a Patriot … Led the team with five special teams tackles in the postseason … Patriots special teams ranked second in the NFL in punt coverage, allowing just 6.3 yards per punt return ... Made seven tackles in defensive play (6 solo) … Snared his first career interception in the end zone to preserve a shutout in the fourth quarter against Buffalo (12/27). Philadelphia (9/14): Registered three solo tackles and a pass defense in defensive play … Also tied his season high with four special teams tackles. N.Y. Jets (9/21): Registered two special teams tackles. Washington (9/28): Saw action on the special teams unit and at middle linebacker against the Redskins. Tennessee (10/5): Registered two tackles on special teams coverage in the Patriots’ 38-30 victory over the Titans. N.Y. Giants (10/12): Equaled his season high with four special teams stops. Denver (11/3): Notched a team-high four special teams tackles. Dallas (11/16): Recorded two special teams tackles in the Patriots 12-0 win over the Cowboys. Jacksonville (12/14): Tied for the team lead with three special teams tackles in the Patriots’ 27-13 victory over the Jaguars … Secured the Patriots’ 10th consecutive victory by recovering an onside kick with 3:21 remaining in the fourth quarter. Buffalo (12/27): Participated at linebacker in the fourth quarter and tallied four tackles (3 solo) and an interception in the Patriots’ 31-0 victory over the Bills … Registered two solo special teams tackles … Preserved the Patriots’ third shutout of the season by intercepting Travis Brown in the end zone with 13 seconds remaining in the contest. Indianapolis (1/18): Led the team with three special teams tackles in the Patriots’ 24-14 AFC Championship victory over the Colts … Saw action at inside linebacker in the fourth quarter and made a solo tackle in defensive play. Carolina (2/1): Registered a special teams tackle in the Patriots’ 32-29 Super Bowl XXXVIII victory over the Panthers … Stonewalled Rod Smart at the Carolina 19 during a kickoff return in the fourth quarter.
2002 Season 2002 (15/0): Voted special teams captain for the 2002 season by his teammates … Earned his second career Pro Bowl selection … Led the team with 20 special teams tackles (14 solos) … His 20 special teams stops ranked fifth in the NFL … Named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week following his performance against Kansas City (9/22) in which he recorded six special teams tackles (5 solo) … Made one solo tackle in defensive play. Pittsburgh (9/9): Led the team with three special teams tackles in the Patriots 30-14 win over the Steelers on Monday Night Football. Kansas City (9/22): Led the team with six special teams tackles, including five solos, as the Patriots took out the Chiefs, 41-38 in overtime … His six tackles in special teams play were the most in an NFL game since Jerald Sowell recorded seven for the N.Y. Jets (10/15/00) … Named AFC Special Teams player of the Week. Buffalo (11/3): Inactive … Missed his first game as a Patriot and his first since the final game of the 1998 season, snapping a streak of 55 straight games played. Oakland (11/17): Helped lead the special teams unit to spring Kevin Faulk for an 86-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. N.Y. Jets (12/22): Helped lead the special teams unit to its second kickoff return for a touchdown on the season, an 87-yard return by Kevin Faulk in the first quarter.
2001 Season 2001 (16/0; 3/0): Voted special teams captain for the 2001 season by his teammates … Participated on special teams in all 16 regular season games and three postseason games … Led the Patriots and was tied for first in the NFL with Tampa Bay’s Dwight Smith with 22 special teams tackles. Indianapolis (9/30): Tallied two solo tackles in special teams play as the Patriots held the Colts to four yards on two punt returns and 123 yards on seven kickoff returns (17.6 avg.). Miami (10/7): Collected one assisted tackle in defensive play and two solo tackles on special teams. Indianapolis (10/21): Recorded two solo tackles in special teams play. St. Louis (11/18): Recovered a Kurt Warner fumbled snap at the Rams 45-yard line in the third quarter … Added one solo tackle in defensive play and recorded two tackles on special teams. New Orleans (11/25): Amassed three special teams tackles in the Patriots 34-17 victory over the Saints. Cleveland (12/9): Registered three special teams tackles (2 solos) … Teamed with Patrick Pass to tackle Browns punt returner Dennis Northcutt for no gain in the Patriots 27-16 win. Buffalo (12/16): Notched one solo tackle in special teams play and forced Bills punt returner Peerless Price to fumble in the fourth quarter. Oakland (1/19): Recorded one assisted tackle and recovered two fumbles in special teams play … Teamed with Matt Chatham to drop Raiders punt returner Charles Woodson for a three-yard loss … Recovered a Troy Brown fumble on a punt return late in the fourth quarter just prior to the game-tying drive that ended in an Adam Vinatieri 45-yard field goal to force overtime.
2000 Season 2000 (16/0; 2/0 - Miami): Earned Pro Bowl honors for his special teams play after leading the Dolphins with 31 special teams tackles ... Participated in every game for the Dolphins, receiving extensive playing time on special teams and in two games at linebacker when he replaced Zach Thomas due to injury ... He was not credited with a start since the Dolphins opened both games (10/29 vs. Green Bay and 11/5 at Detroit) with five defensive backs ... Contributed four defensive tackles in those games … Played in both Dolphin playoff games, contributing one special teams tackle in both games … Earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl as a special teams player to become the first Dolphins special teamer (not including kickers and punters) to be selected to the Pro Bowl. Green Bay (10/29): Converted a fourth down with a 39-yard run on a fake punt ... It was the second rushing attempt of his career (his other rushing attempt also came on a fake punt on 11/17/96 at Houston).
1999 Season 1999 (16/0, 2/0 - Miami): Voted special teams captain by his teammates and participated in all 16 regular season games and led the team with a career-high 33 special teams tackles ... Also recovered a fumble and forced another on special teams ... Played in both postseason games following the 1999 season, the first two of his NFL career, and was credited with two special teams tackles … Voted a second alternate as a special teamer on the AFC Pro Bowl squad. Arizona (9/19): Awarded a game ball for special teams play after recording six tackles. Buffalo (10/4): Credited with three special teams tackles. Indianapolis (10/10): Came up with two special teams tackles and forced a fumble on punt coverage. Philadelphia (10/24): Made two special teams tackles in a victory to earn a game ball. Had three tackles in games at Oakland (10/31), vs. New England (11/21) and vs. Indianapolis (12/05). San Diego (12/19): Earned his third special teams game ball in a victory over the Chargers. N.Y. Jets (12/27): Had one special teams tackle and recovered a Dedric Ward fumble on a punt return.
1998 Season 1998 (13/0 - Miami): Appeared in 13 regular season games as a reserve linebacker and special teams performer ... Inactive for each of the final three regular season games and both playoff contests with a right knee injury ... Finished the year ranked fourth on the team with 21 special teams tackles. Indianapolis (9/6): Earned a game ball for his special teams play. N.Y. Jets (10/4): Recorded a season-high three special teams tackles. Jacksonville (10/12): Tallied a pair of stops in a Monday night game. St. Louis (10/18): Awarded his second game ball of the season after recording a pair of stops. Oakland (12/6): Sustained an injury to his right knee ... Underwent surgery (12/7) and missed the rest of the regular season and playoffs.
1997 Season 1997 (0/0 - Miami): Missed the season on injured reserve after tearing his left Achilles tendon during a training camp practice (7/18) ... Placed on Injured Reserve (8/18).
1996 Season 1996 (16/0 - Miami): Played in all 16 games as a rookie and finished second on team in special teams tackles with 10 ... Added one defensive tackle ... Voted as the special teams alternate for the AFC Pro Bowl squad ... Earned first-team All-Pro honors from Football Digest ... Also earned All-Rookie honors for his special teams play by Pro Football Weekly and the PFWA. Arizona (9/8): Blocked a Jeff Feagles punt, the first blocked punt by a Dolphin since Darrell Malone had one on at New England (01/02/94) … Deflected punts against Seattle (10/06) and against Indianapolis (11/10). Houston (11/17): Ran for 26 yards and a first down on a fake punt.
Extra Points In 2005, Larry held the first annual "Larryoke" event, a celebrity karaoke night in Boston that raised over $200,000 for military-related charities. Larry served as the honorary chairman of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation's 2005 Race for Research 5K Walk/Run in Boston. The event was part of a three-city effort that raised $750,000 for myeloma research. Lists "Pulp Fiction" and "Anchorman" as his favorite movies, "Entourage" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" as his favorite television shows, "The Kite Runner" as his favorite book and The Red Hot Chili Peppers and ZZ Top as his favorite musical groups.

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