FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Houston Texans cornerback Kevin Johnson remembers playing against Jacoby Brissett when both played in the Atlantic Coast Conference.I remember him being a good player, an athletic mobile quarterback, Johnson, who played at Wake Forest, said as his Texans prepared for Thursday nights game at the New England Patriots -- and against the rookie quarterback making his first NFL start.Hes a guy who can make the throws, a great player we have to respect and prepare for.Brissett, the former Florida and North Carolina State quarterback and No. 3 quarterback on the New England roster, moved up to No. 2 with the four-game Deflategate suspension of Tom Brady. Jimmy Garoppolo started the first two games but a shoulder injury to Garoppolo in the Week 2 win over the Dolphins shook up the depth chart again.While coach Bill Belichick is unlikely to declare it fact, Brissett is almost certainly the starter when these two 2-0 teams get together at Gillette Stadium.He has really good poise, very smart guy, says Texans coach Bill OBrien. Hes got good size. Hes like 235 pounds. Hes a good football player. When we evaluated him in the draft, we felt the same way then, too. Hes a bright guy and hes coached very well there.OBrien was Belichicks offensive coordinator before OBrien left to become head coach at Penn State. His defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel had the same job in New England. Linebackers coach Mike Vrabel played for the Patriots, as did nose tackle Vince Wilfork.In short, the Texans know the Patriots.But the familiarity with Brissett, who has played 34 minutes and attempted nine passes in the NFL, is another story.Tuesday, Belichick didnt officially declare Garoppolo, who suffered a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder, out for the game. He was listed as a limited participant on the official practice report.Belichick also wouldnt say if the Patriots were bringing in another quarterback. Wide receiver Julian Edelman, a quarterback in college at Kent State, would be available for emergencies.Jacobys done a good job for us, Belichick said. Hes improved every day. Hes a hard-working kid. Hes in here early, stays late, studies the game. Hes got good physical talent. Hes improved steadily since hes been here -- after the draft and all way through.Brissett was 6 of 9 and led his team to what turned out to be the winning touchdown drive early in the second half on Sunday. What was supposed to be a blowout turned close when the Miami Dolphins scored on three straight possessions and had a chance to tie.The Texans have not allowed a touchdown in six quarters and Houston notched wins over the Bears and Chiefs to come to Foxborough as a rare road favorite.The Texans are very good on defense ... they take the ball away, they create long-yardage situations, theyre one of the best third-down teams in the league again this year, which theyve been in the past, said Belichick, whose offense has been missing tight end Rob Gronkowski (hamstring) for the first two games and may not have him again. They dont give up many points. The biggest challenge is always scoring points -- thats the name of the game, thats what we play for. They havent given up many. Im sure it wont be easy to score -- well have to do a good job, execute well.Belichick was asked by the Houston media via conference call if star defensive end J.J. Watt reminds him at all of Lawrence Taylor, the Hall of Fame linebacker he coached as an assistant with the Giants. The pair are the only two players ever to win NFL defensive player of the year honors three times.They both play pretty hard, yeah, Belichick said. I think J.J. is a relentless, a relentless player. Very instinctive and Id say a lot like Taylor, when at the most critical times in the most important plays, thats where those guys showed the most and thats what great players do.The New England defense, which is missing key pass-rushing linebacker Rob Ninkovich (suspension), shut Ryan Tannehill out in the first quarter Sunday, but then saw the Dolphins quarterback throw for 389 yards in the last three quarters.Brock Osweiler, the quarterback who played such an important part in the Denver Broncos run to the title last year, is 41 of 68 for 499 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions in his first two games running the Houston offense.New Englands LeGarrette Blount and Houstons Lamar Miller, the running backs for the two teams, have run for 193 and 189 yards, respectively, in the first two games. Custom Dallas Cowboys Jerseys . Dallas hasnt ruled out the star quarterback for Sunday nights game against Philadelphia, but all signs point to Romos back injury pushing Kyle Orton into the starting role after two years of limited play as the backup. Surely Ortons name isnt the first that comes to mind for fans wanting a change after years of damaging interceptions, fumbles or, most infamously, the field goal flub when Romo dropped the snap on a kick that could have won his first playoff game in 2006. Custom San Francisco 49ers Jerseys . Murray beat Sam Querrey 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-1, 6-3 to clinch Britains opening-round victory against the United States on Sunday at Petco Park. "Im proud of the way Im playing just now, because I had to do a lot of work to get back to where I want to be," Murray said after celebrating with his teammates on the red clay court in a temporary stadium in left field of the downtown home of baseballs San Diego Padres. http://www.jerseyscustom.us/ . Boucher previously coached the Tampa Bay Lightning and had a 97-78-20 record over two-plus seasons. He was dismissed by the team last March after the Lightning struggled in the lockout-shortened season with a 13-18-1 record. Wholesale Custom Jerseys Authentic . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. Cheap Custom Jerseys China . -- Mike Smith never saw his first NHL goal go in. ATLANTA -- Atlanta United has added valuable experience for its 2017 inaugural season by signing free-agent midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, a 12-year MLS veteran.Larentowicz has played in 324 games for four teams. 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