I called a coach I know in East Texas to get a second opinion. He confirmed that Hawkins is a speed burner with good hands and an ability to make extra yards after the tackle. Get you some first downs against Alabama, the coach said.Strengths: As always, coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady are among best in game. Patriots upgraded wide receiver corps by adding Brandon Lloyd to join Wes Welker and Deion Branch. Defense, which allowed second most yards in NFL last year, picked up two firstround draft choices in Jones and Hightower.

NOTES: The only player the Packers figure to be without Sunday is secondyear CB Casey Hayward, who reinjured his hamstring against Seattle on Aug. 23 and has been ruled out. Hayward, who led the team in interceptions last season with six, had initially hurt the hamstring before training camp and missed the first three weeks of practice."We did not see all the posts to take down the Cheerleader pic until today," the Chicago Bea