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.
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.
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.
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.
Matthew Charles Light was born the son of William and Marilyn Light on June 23, 1978 in Greenville, Ohio … Second-team Division II all-state choice as a linebacker, adding All-Darke County, all-conference and All-Southwest District honors as a senior at Greenville (Ohio) High ... Three-year two-way starter who played guard as sophomore, tackle as junior and tight end as senior ... As a senior, he had 69 tackles, including 15 stops for 63 yards in losses, two forced fumbles and two pass break-ups … Added four catches for 75 yards with one touchdown ... Also lettered in track ... State qualifier, district champion, all-conference and all-county pick in the shot put … Majored in industrial technology at Purdue ... Matt is married.
Career Transactions
Matt Light was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round (48th overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft ... Signed by the Patriots (7/22/01) ... Placed on injured reserve (12/22/05).
Career Highlights
Career GP/GS: 81/79 (12/12)
Light was a part of an offensive line that enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in club history in 2004, paving the way for the team to average more than four yards per carry for the first time in 19 seasons and helping running back Corey Dillon set a single-season franchise record with 1,635 rushing yards.
Light anchored an offensive line that allowed just 26 sacks in 2004, the fewest by the Patriots in 10 years.
Light was a member of an offensive line that allowed Patriots' rushers to gain more than 200 rushing yards twice in 2004, 225 rushing yards against Cleveland (12/5/04) and 208 rushing yards against Buffalo (11/14/04), marking the first time in six years the team has exceeded 200 net yards rushing.
Light has been part of a Patriots offensive line that has allowed just 58 sacks from 2003-04. The twoyear total is the best since New England allowed 57 sacks from 1995-96.
Light started all three postseason games in 2003 as part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in the playoffs as Tom Brady attempted 126 passes, and the Patriots claimed the Super Bowl XXXVIII championship.
Light was part of an offensive line in 2002 that yielded only 31 sacks, the lowest total since 1997 (30).
Light started 12 of 14 games during his rookie season in 2001 and helped open holes for the Patriots running game, which averaged 112.2 yards per game.
College
Light earned four letters at Purdue University (1996, 1998-2000) … Charged with the responsibility of protecting Drew Brees’ blindside from the left tackle position ... Started all 37 Boilermaker games at tackle from 1998-2000 … Leader of offensive line that allowed just 38 sacks on 1,690 pass attempts … Consensus All-Big Ten conference first-team (2000) and voted to second-team (1999). 2000 (Senior): Consensus All-Big Ten Conference first-team choice … All-American first-team selection by Gannett News, earning third-team honors from Football News ... Started all 12 games at left offensive tackle, leading a strong blocking effort upfront, allowing Boilermaker quarterbacks to be sacked just seven times in 528 attempts (one every 75.4 pass attempts) … Helped the team to a Big Ten title and their first Rose Bowl appearance in 35 years. 1999 (Junior): Started in all 12 games at left tackle, playing a major part as the offensive line allowed merely 15 sacks in 568 pass attempts (one every 37.9 attempts) ... 1998 (Sophomore): Honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference choice by both the Big Ten’s coaches and media ... Started all 13 games at left tackle, helping an offensive line that allowed 16 sacks in 594 pass attempts (one every 37.1 attempts). 1997 (Red-shirted): Underwent surgery in the spring to repair his left shoulder (AC joint) and was lost for the year. 1996 (Freshman): Appeared in seven games as a reserve tight end ... Recorded one reception for 16 yards.
2006 Season
2006 (16/16/0/0): Buffalo (9/10): Made the start at left tackle ... Member of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots' rushers to gain 183 rushing yards on 41 carries (4.5 yard avg.) in the Patriots' 19-17 victory over the Bills. at N.Y. Jets (9/17): Started at left tackle ... Part of an offensive line that allowed Patriots' rushers to gain 147 yards in the Patriots' 24-17 win over the N.Y. Jets. Denver (9/24): Started at left tackle and was a member of an offensive line that did not allow a sack despite 55 pass attempts. at Cincinnati (10/1): Made the start at left tackle in the Patriots' commanding 38-13 victory over the Bengals ... Member of an offensive front that opened holes for Patriots' ball carriers to gain 238 rushing yards on 41 carries, marking New England's highest team rushing total in 13 seasons ... Part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack for the second consecutive game. vs. Miami (10/8): Started at left tackle ... Member of an offensive front that allowed just one sack on 29 pass attempts in the Patriots' 20-10 win over the Dolphins. at Buffalo (10/22): Started at left tackle in the Patriots' 28-6 road victory over the Bills. at Minnesota (10/30): Started at left tackle ... Was a member of an offensive front that gave Tom Brady enough time to throw for 372 yards and tie his career high with four touchdown tosses in the Patriots' commanding 31-7 road win against the Vikings ... Helped to pave the way for a running game that averaged 5.7 yards per carry, gaining 85 yards on just 15 rushes ... Provided a seal block allowing Reche Caldwell to get into the open field for a 34-yard gain on a wide receiver screen in the second quarter ... Recovered a Tom Brady fumble in the fourth quarter. Indianapolis (11/5): Made the start at left tackle ... Member of an offensive front that did not allow a sack on 35 pass attempts. vs. N.Y. Jets (11/12): Started at left tackle and was a part of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots' rushers to gain 145 yards on just 26 carries (5.6 yard avg.). at Green Bay (11/19): Made the start at left tackle ... Member of an offensive line that protected Tom Brady, allowing him to register a season-best 128.2 quarterback rating in the Patriots' 35-0 road victory over the Packers. vs. Chicago (11/26): Started at left tackle ... Part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack on 33 pass attempts in the Patriots' 17-13 victory over the Bears. vs. Detroit (12/3): Made the start at left tackle in the Patriots' 28-21 comeback victory over the Lions ... Member of an offensive front that allowed Tom Brady to throw for 305 yards in the victory. at Miami (12/10): Started at left tackle ... Part of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots' runners to gain 123 rushing yards on 25 carries (4.9 avg.). vs. Houston (12/17): Started at left tackle ... Member of an offensive line that allowed just one sack on 27 pass attempts in the Patriots' commanding 40-7 victory over the Texans. at Jacksonville (12/24): Made the start at left tackle ... Part of an offensive line that allowed Patriots' rushers to gain 117 yards on 30 carries (3.9 avg.) ... Member of an offensive front that allowed just one sack on 39 pass attempts in the Patriots' 24-21 division-clinching win over the Jaguars. at Tennessee (12/31): Started at left tackle ... Member of an offensive front that allowed Patriots' ball carriers to gain 171 rushing yards on just 31 carries (5.5 avg.) in the Patriots' 40-23 victory over the Titans.
2006 Postseason (3/3/0/0): vs. N.Y. Jets (1/7): Started at left tackle ... Member of an offensive front that allowed Patriots' rushers to gain 158 rushing 2 yards on 38 carries (4.2 avg.) in the Patriots' 37-16 AFC Wild Card victory over the N.Y. Jets ... Part of an offensive line that allowed just one sack on 34 pass attempts. at San Diego (1/14): Made the start at left tackle ... Part of an offensive line that allowed just two sacks despite 51 pass attempts in the Patriots' 24-21 AFC Divisional playoff victory over the Chargers ... San Diego entered the game as the league leader in sacks ... Pounced on a Tom Brady fumble after the signal caller was strip-sacked by Shaun Phillips in the third quarter. at Indianapolis (1/21): Made the start at left tackle ... Member of an offensive front that allowed just one sack on 35 pass attempts.
2005 Season
2005 (3/3/0/11): Placed on Injured Reserve on Dec. 22, 2005 ... Had started 66 consecutive games at left tackle, including playoffs, dating back to the 11th game of his rookie year before missing the San Diego matchup (10/2/05) with an injury.
Oakland (9/8): Member of an offensive line that did not allow a sack on 38 pass attempts in the Patriots' 30-20 victory over the Raiders. at Carolina (9/18): Part of an offensive line that allowed Tom Brady to pass for 270 yards. at Pittsburgh (9/25): Started at left tackle but left the game in the first quarter with an injury. San Diego (10/2): Inactive. at Atlanta (10/9): Inactive. at Denver (10/16): Inactive. Buffalo (10/30): Inactive. Indianapolis (11/7): Inactive. at Miami (11/13): Inactive. New Orleans (11/20): Inactive. at Kansas City (11/27): Inactive. N.Y. Jets (12/4): Inactive. at Buffalo (12/11): Inactive. Tampa Bay (12/17): Inactive.
2004 season
2004 (16/16, 3/3): Started all 16 games at left tackle for the third consecutive season … Member of an offensive line that allowed Patriots’ rushers to gain more than 200 rushing yards twice in 2004, 225 rushing yards against Cleveland (12/5/04) and 208 rushing yards against Buffalo (11/14/04), marking the first time in six years the team has exceeded 200 net yards rushing … The 225 rushing yards against Cleveland (12/5/04) were the most for the Patriots since 12/26/93. at Arizona (9/19): Part of an offensive line that opened holes for Corey Dillon to rush for a season-high 158 yards on 32 carries (4.9-yard avg.) in the Patriots’ 23-12 victory over the Cardinals. at Buffalo (10/3): Anchored an offensive line that did not allow a sack on 30 pass attempts in the Patriots’ 31-17 victory over the Bills. Miami (10/10): Member of an offensive line that allowed Patriots’ rushers to gain 135 yards on the ground in New England’s 24-10 victory over Miami. Seattle (10/17): Part of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots’ rushers to pick up 138 yards in the Patriots’ 30-20 victory over the Seahawks. at St. Louis (11/7): Member of an offensive line that opened holes for New England rushers to gain 147 yards on the ground in the Patriots’ 40-22 road win against the Rams. Buffalo (11/14): Part of an offensive line that allowed Patriots’ rushers to amass 208 rushing yards in New England’s commanding 29-6 victory over the Bills. Baltimore (11/28): Member of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots’ rushers to gain 144 yards on the ground in New England’s 24-3 victory over the Ravens … Anchored an offensive front that allowed just one sack for two yards on 30 pass attempts against one of the league’s stingiest pass rush defenses. at Cleveland (12/5): Part of an offensive line that allowed Patriots’ ball carriers to amass 225 rushing yards in New England’s 42-15 victory over the Browns. at Miami (12/20): Member of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots’ rushers to gain 166 yards on 38 carries (4.4-yard avg.). San Francisco (1/2): Part of an offensive front that opened holes for Patriots’ rushers to gain 174 yards on the ground on just 28 carries (6.2-yard avg.) in the Patriots’ 21-7 victory over the 49ers … Part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in the second half. Indianapolis (1/16): Member of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots’ rushers to gain 210 yards on the ground on just 39 carries (5.4 avg.) in the Patriots’ 20-3 victory over the Colts. at Pittsburgh (1/23): Part of an offensive line that allowed Patriots ball carriers to gain 126 yards against one of the stingiest run defenses in the league during New England’s 41-27 AFC Championship victory over the Steelers. Philadelphia (2/6): Member of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots’ rushers to gain 112 yards on 28 carries in New England’s 24-21 victory over the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX
2004 Postseason (3/3/0/0): Indianapolis (1/16): Member of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots' rushers to gain 210 yards on the ground on just 39 carries (5.4 avg.) in the Patriots' 20-3 victory over the Colts. at Pittsburgh (1/23): Part of an offensive line that allowed Patriots ball carriers to gain 126 yards against one of the stingiest run defenses in the league during New England's 41-27 AFC Championship victory over the Steelers. Philadelphia (2/6): Member of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots' rushers to gain 112 yards on 28 carries in New England's 24-21 victory over the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX.
2003 Season
2003 (16/16, 3/3): Started all 16 games for the second consecutive season … Helped the ground attack exceed the century mark with more than 100 rushing yards in five of the first six weeks in 2003 … Part of an offensive line that started the same five players in each of the last 12 games, all Patriots victories … Member of an offensive line that has allowed just 63 sacks over the last two seasons. N.Y. Jets (9/21): Started at left tackle … Had a solid performance against Pro Bowl defensive end John Abraham, limiting him to just three tackles. Tennessee (10/5): Was a member of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots rushers to gain a season-high 161 yards on 27 carries (6.0 avg.) and three touchdowns. N.Y. Giants (10/12): Member of an offensive line that helped Patriots rushers gain 129 yards on 31 carries (4.2 yard avg). Denver (11/3): Member of an offensive line that did not allow a sack on 35 pass attempts … Supplied Tom Brady with time in the pocket, allowing him to throw for 350 passing yards. Houston (11/23): Member of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots rushers to gain 128 yards on the ground. N.Y. Jets (12/20): Part of an offensive line that opened holes for Antowain Smith to rush for 121 yards on just 18 carries (6.7 avg.), marking the Patriots first 100-yard rusher of the season … Member of an offensive line that did not allow a sack on 25 pass attempts. Tennessee (1/10): Started at left tackle in the Patriots’ 17-14 divisional playoff victory over the Titans … Member of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in 41 pass attempts. Indianapolis (1/18): Started at left tackle in the Patriots’ 24-14 AFC Championship victory over the Colts … Member of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in 37 pass attempts. Carolina (2/1): Started at left tackle and was a member of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in the Patriots’ Super Bowl XXXVIII victory over the Panthers.
2002 Season
2002 (16/16): Started all 16 games at left tackle and was part of a Patriots offensive line that did not allow a sack in four games in 2002, the first time the Patriots accomplished that feat since 1995 … Offensive line yielded a total of just 31 sacks, the least since 1997 (30). N.Y. Jets (9/15): Started at left tackle as part of an offensive line that allowed no sacks on 35 passing attempts and paved the way for a season-high 163 rushing yards, as the Patriots beat the Jets, 44-7. San Diego (9/29): Started at left tackle as part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack for the second time in three weeks … Helped block for Antowain Smith to average 4.9 yards per carry. Buffalo (11/3): Part of an offensive line that blocked for its first 100-yard rusher of the season as Antowain Smith rumbled for 111 yards in New England’s 38-7 victory over the Bills … The offense gained a total of 159 yards on the ground. Oakland (11/17): Recovered a David Givens fumble in the first quarter, pouncing on the ball to keep possession on the Patriots game-opening field goal drive. Detroit (11/28): Started at left tackle in the Patriots 20-12 win over the Lions on Thanksgiving Day … Part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack on 30 pass plays and opened holes for the team to rush for a total of 139 yards. Buffalo (12/8): Part of a Patriots offensive line that allowed no sacks for the second consecutive week and the fourth time in 2002 in a 27-17 win over the Bills. Miami (12/29): Started at left tackle in the Patriots 27-24, overtime win over the Dolphins in the season finale … Held Jason Taylor, the NFL’s sack leader to no sacks after Taylor had recorded one in each of his previous eight games.
2001 Season
2001 (14/12, 3/3): Started at left tackle in 12 of 14 regular season games and all three postseason games during his rookie season … Earned Football News 2001 NFL All-Rookie Team honors in 2001. N.Y. Jets (9/23): Made first NFL start at left tackle and was part of offensive line that blocked for rushing attack that accumulated 107 yards on 26 carries (4.1 avg.). Indianapolis (9/30): Blocked for a rushing attack that gained 177 yards on 39 carries (4.5 avg.) and scored three touchdowns … Made key kick-out block on Antowain Smith’s 39-yard run. Indianapolis (10/21): Part of offensive line that opened holes for 123 yards rushing on 30 attempts (4.1 avg.) and did not allow a sack in 38-17 victory over the Colts. Buffalo (11/11): Played the bulk of the second half when he stepped in for an injured Grant Williams at left tackle … Part of offensive line that led the way for 134 yards rushing and a 100 yard rusher for the second consecutive week. New Orleans (11/25): Started at left tackle and was part of offensive line that led the way for 191 yards rushing, their second-highest total of the season and their third 100 yard rusher in the four games. Buffalo (12/16): Part of offensive line that opened holes for 129 yards rushing on 27 attempts (4.8 avg.) in the Patriots 12-9 overtime victory. Miami (12/22): Helped power the offense to a season-high 196 yards rushing and their fourth 100 yard rusher of the season. Carolina (1/6): Part of offensive line that led the way for 102 yards rushing and did not allow a sack in the second half. Oakland (1/19): Started at left tackle in his first career postseason game and was part of offensive line which only allowed two sack in 52 pass attempts. St. Louis (2/3): Started at left tackle and was part of offensive line that led the way for 133 yards on 25 carries (5.3 avg.) in the Patriots 20-17 victory in Super Bowl XXXVI.
Extra Points
In Feb. 2003, Matt established the Light Foundation, a charity that awards scholarships to high school students in the places he has played football: his hometown of Greenville, Ohio, West Lafayette, Ind. and New England.
Matt was the 2005 recipient of the New Engalnd Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award for his commitment to the community and to helping others.
In Oct. 2005, the Light Foundation donated $25,000 to Children's Hospital Boston to support their research in prenatal diagnosis using specialized echocardiography.
In Aug. 2005, he organized the Matt Light Celebrity Shoot-Out, a clay-shooting tournament that raised nearly $100,000 for his foundation.
In February of 2003, Matt established the Light Foundation, a charity that awards scholarships to high school students in the places he has played football: his hometown of Greenville, Ohio, West Lafayette, Ind. and New England. Matt's foundation donated new weights, jerseys and equipment to his former high school team this past off-season.
Patriots pay respects to Hill An on-scene account of the New England Patriots paying their respects to Marquise Hill at his wake in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Patriots re-sign CB Antwain SpannThe New England Patriots re-signed exclusive rights free agent cornerback Antwain Spann today. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
