Patriots CB Aqib Talib split his time last week alternating between standing on the sidelines and clutching at his injured hip while on the field.
The situation appeared grim, and it appeared as though the New England Patriots cornerback shouldn’t have been on the field. It was clear that he was less than capable during a 53-yard reception by Jacksonville's Montell Owens, during which Talib clasped at left hip.
But with Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins looming, Talib claims to be feeling fine after being limited during the first two practices this week.
“Getting better. Working every day trying to get better,” Talib said when meeting with reporters following Thursday’s full practice. “See what happens.”
Perhaps he’s just feeling energized by the prospect of playing meaningful games this time of year. Previously a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Talib has never played beyond December and experienced just two winning seasons after landing in Tampa in 2008.
“It’s a ton of differences,” he said. “I ain’t gonna get into the specifics of it, it’s a ton of differences. You can see the differences, you can look at the records.”
But is this situation better?
“Definitely.”
Pro Bowl talk: The New England Patriots put seven players in the Pro Bowl -- QB Tom Brady, WR Wes Welker, ST Matthew Slater, LB Jerod Mayo, OL Logan Mankins, DT Vince Wilfork and TE Rob Gronkowski -- yet for some it doesn’t feel like enough.
“There are some guys that probably got snubbed around the league,” Wilfork said. “I know there’s a couple guys out here who feel like they have been snubbed.”
Tough to know who was left out, but cases could be made for RT Sebastian Vollmer and perhaps S Devin McCourty and LB Brandon Spikes.
New England’s seven selections were the third most in the league behind San Francisco (nine) and Houston (eight). Predictably, those selected for the team said they never want to set foot in Hawaii.
“Well, I didn’t get to go last year. Hopefully I don’t get to go this year,” Slater said. “I’d rather be eating gumbo in New Orleans than pineapple in Hawaii.”
Practice report: The Patriots practiced outside in the rain Thursday after holding a light walkthrough on Wednesday. CB Marquice Cole was the only player not to take part. He was held out with a finger injury.
Gronkowski (forearm/hip), DE Chandler Jones (ankle), Mankins (ankle/calf), Mayo (elbow), Spikes (knee/ankle), Vollmer (back/knee) and Welker (ankle) were among 21 players who were limited.
Nick Underhill covers the Patriots for MassLive.com. Follow him on Twitter @CBSPats or @nick_underhill.
