Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Joey Porter runs his mouth the way he rushes the passer - at full speed. But Porter’s latest incendiary comments barely registered a ripple with the Patriots, at least publicly.

FOXBOROUGH - The Patriots may have lost a key divisional game to the New York Jets Thursday night, but they found out exactly what their quarterback is capable of, and it’s a lot more than anybody gave Matt Cassel credit for when he first replaced the injured Tom Brady.

Healthy running backs have been a rarity for the Patriots this season, but last night the Patriots finally got a runner back in the running, as Sammy Morris suited up for the first time since Oct. 20.

When the Patriots drew up their master plan for the season, it’s doubtful it contained any scenario in which quarterback Matt Cassel handed off to running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis, other than in practice or the preseason, certainly not with first place in the division was at stake.

FOXBOROUGH - On a day when he moved up three spots on the NFL’s all-time list to 17th with 817 receptions, wide receiver Randy Moss was in no mood to talk about it. Perhaps that was because the last time he spoke after a game it cost him $20,000.

FOXBOROUGH - The wondering what-ifs proved a lot easier to hang onto than the football for Jabar Gaffney.

FOXBOROUGH - Since 2003, when the Patriots began their string of five straight AFC East titles, whenever they played the Buffalo Bills, or any other divisional foe, for that matter, one category in which they always got the advantage checkmark was quarterback.

Putting out recycling bins in parts of Gillette Stadium is an admirable effort by the Patriots to go “green.” But the Patriots are being forced to do recycling at cornerback because some of their corners are too green.

Several Patriots players, including wide receiver Randy Moss (who referenced “iffy calls”), struggled to hold their tongues, for fear of being fined, as they were frustrated by the officiating in Sunday night’s 18-15 loss to the Colts.

INDIANAPOLIS - A week after playing the first penalty-free game in the franchise’s history, the Patriots only had two accepted penalties last night in an 18-15 loss to the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. But one of them proved quite costly.