FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. With 5-foot-7 Dion Lewis decisively taking over as the Patriots’ lead running back, Bill Belichick noted last week that this isn’t the first time he has coached on a team with a top rusher who is so short. Belichick fondly recalled longtime Giants running back Joe Morris (1982-1988), whom he also had coached in 1991 with the Browns.
The 5-foot-7 Morris, now 57, was flattered to have his name mentioned before noting his style was different from Lewis'.