FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Closing the book on the New England Patriots' 19-17 victory over the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium with some film-review notes:
1. The power with which rookie defensive tackle Vincent Valentine (3rd round, Nebraska) played was notable. Often going up against third-year guard Andrew Norwell (6-6, 325), Valentine was able to get his hands into him at times and extend his arms, which is a big part of the two-gap technique.