Source: Jamie Pacheco

This morning, Steve and I made the trek out to Gillette Stadium to take in some training camp and check out the 2010 New England Patriots. One thing I want to say about going to camp if you’ve never been: It’s not a fan entertainment event. If you’re not interested in the inner workings of what prepares a football team for the season, then do not go. It is a practice session, meaning there is time for stretching and warming up, along with just some fundamentals drills. They are not there for your entertainment! I do not want to hear, “Is this all they do?” from one more person! However, I find training camp very entertaining because I love seeing the team come together, but I’m not saying it’s a snooze fest either. The 11-0n11 match-ups are very fun to watch, along with some other position vs. position drills. That being said, here’s some observations and notes that were jotted down during practice:

• Sammy Morris, who was not in pads yesterday, joined the team for the full practice in pads today. However, there were some more missing players than there were yesterday: Darnell Jenkins, Matthew Slater who was hurt in yesterday’s afternoon session along with Bret Lockett, RB Thomas Clayton, Ron Brace, and of course Derrick Burgess and Logan Mankins.
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  Source: Jamie Pacheco

  Wes Welker jogged onto the field at the beginning of practice to a large ovation from the crowd and stretched with the team before working exclusively with the rehab staff. He was not in pads but only had a small brace on his knee.

• Terrence Wheatley held onto the receiver he was facing quite a bit during 1-on-1 WR vs. DB drills. Not very good technique, especially with today’s offense-friendly rules.
• Rookie QB Zac Robinson was not very accurate at all this morning, overthrowing and under-throwing receivers. He also fumbled a snap.
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  Source: Jamie Pacheco

  It was interesting to watch Bill Belichick work with the team. It’s easy to see why he’s the best in the business. He roamed around from showing techniques in the WR’s vs. DB’s drill to working with linebackers, special teams, and the offense.

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  Source: Jamie Pacheco

  Randy Moss makes playing receiver look like the easiest job in the world. Everything he does seems effortless and he looked great today. He could also be seen giving pointers to Julian Edelman in between reps.

• Brandon Tate looks good at WR. At one point, Tom Brady under-threw a ball that Tate had to spin around and grab near the ground, which he did very impressively.
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  Source: Jamie Pacheco

  Zoltan Mesko had an inconsistent morning punting. He shanked quite a few while booming others. After his first shank that went about 20 yards, I overheard Belichick yelling, “Do you want me to punt? A 20-yard punt? Even I can handle that!”

• Pierre Woods is getting opportunities at OLB with the starting unit. The spot opposite Tully Banta-Cain seems wide open.
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  Source: Jamie Pacheco

  The hit of the day was delivered by ILB Tyrone McKenzie on Laurence Maroney. During the 11-on-11 drill at the goal  line, McKenzie shot the gap that Maroney hit and delivered a perfect tackle that made a sound loud enough to draw “Ooh’s” and “Aaahh’s” from the crowd.

• One interesting note: during mini-camps, Linebackers Coach Matt Patricia called the defensive plays. Today, Bill Belichick was giving the plays to the defense during 11-on-11 drills.

source: Yardbarker.com

The New England Patriots opened training camp today in Foxborough at Gillette Stadium and the theme is clear: these aren’t your older brother’s Patriots. Gone from the team’s facility are the pictures of the heroes of the past decade; Troy Brown, Rodney Harrison, Tedy Bruschi, etc. are all off of the empty walls in the locker room and throughout the stadium. It’s time for these new Patriots to form their own identity. With 24 players drafted the last two drafts, the team’s youth movement is in full effect.

Young players are being expected to step up in key areas. Darius Butler is expected to start at left corner; Sebastian Vollmer is the starter at right tackle; Pat Chung is challenging for the starting job at strong safety; two-thirds of the tight end group are rookies; rookie Brandon Spikes and Tyrone McKenzie are battling for reps next to Jerod Mayo at inside linebacker, and who knows what the hell is going on at outside linebacker opposite Tully Banta-Cain. After Shawn Crable was released yesterday, Steve reported earlier today that Derrick Burgess is not at camp and is considering retirement. That leaves Rob Ninkovich, who got plenty of reps with the starting unit today, Pierre Woods, and rookie Jermaine Cunningham as the players most likely to fill in that OLB spot. Aside from the positions mentioned, it’s highly possible that a young player, maybe Brandon Tate or Taylor Price, impress during camp and start opposite Randy Moss at wide receiver. Perhaps one of the younger guards, like Rich Ohrnberger or Ryan Wendell, do a better job at filling in for Logan Mankins at left guard than Nick Kaczur and wrestle the starting job away.

Those are just a few of the many storylines unfolding during the Pats’ 51st training camp. Steve and I will be at the morning session tomorrow to take it all in, and there will be a post up tomorrow afternoon after we return. Here are some of the highlights from today’s two sessions:

• The red-zone, which was a sore spot on both offense and defense last season, was a focus in both the morning afternoon sessions. In the morning, the defense got the upper hand. After an incomplete pass from Tom Brady to Brandon Tate, the defense stuffed Laurence Maroney and Sammy Morris twice on consecutive downs. In the afternoon, the offense got the better of the defense. Both rookie tight ends, first Rob Gronkowski and then Aaron Hernandez, caught touchdown passes from Brady.
• Speaking of the rookie TE’s, they continue to impress. Hernandez, in particular, looks like he will be a pass-catching machine. he is being lined up at multiple spots and is showing he knows how to get open. Gronkowski is using his power blocking and his height (6′6″) getting open against defenders, such as he did in the end zone to catch a TD pass.
• Tom Brady was NOT wearing the bulky knee brace he wore all last season after returning from his ACL surgery. He instead was wearing a black sleeve on his knee. If he continues to do this will be interesting to see. Just the fact that he did not have it on for practice is a positive sign that he’s improved from where he was last season, which is EXCELLENT news for Pats fans.
• So far, Mike Wright looks like he has the inside track to start at right defensive end. Last season, that spot was manned by Jarvis Green while he was healthy after the team traded Richard Seymour right before the start of the regular season.
• While Darius Butler has the initial edge to start at left corner, rookie first-rounder Devin McCourty did get some reps at that spot with the starting unit.

Not on the field for either sessions were WR Wes Welker, DL Ron Brace, WR Darnell Jenkins, the maybe-retiring Derrick Burgess, and the unsigned Logan Mankins.

1.  Linebacker – Once the most terrifying position of the Pats defense, this years linebacking core is starting to get very thin.  As Jaime reported yesterday, the Pats cut OLB Shawn Crable who played sparingly in his two years.  Now, it is reported by ESPN that Derrick Burgess, who has yet to come to camp, is considering retirement.  If this does happen, the Pats will be paper thin at linebacker with only Tully Banta-Cain and Pierre Woods as notable players at the OLB position.  Might as well DE to list also since the Pats had no pass rush last year and have not made much of an improvement on that front.

2.  Runningback - We know that the Pats are going to score a ton of points throwing the ball, and i love the addition of Tory Holt opposite Randy Moss on the field.  Plus, mighty mouse himself Wes Welker will somehow remarkably be able to play this season.  Question is, who is going to run the ball?  Personally, i love Laurence Maroney but, for some reason, he has always been in coach Belichick’s dog house.  Do not blame the fumbles either.  Last year Maroney fumbled the ball four times and lost 3; meanwhile Adrian Peterson fumbled seven times and lost six.  Yet, every time Maroney lost the ball, he got yanked out of the game.  Give the kid a chance, let him build some confidence, and he will be fine.  Maybe even a sleeper fanatsy pick of mine.

3. Offensive Line – Stephen Neal, Logan Mankins, Matt Light, and Dan Koppen all had subpar seasons.  Now, Mankins is holding out for more money and has said some pretty bad things about the Pats front office.  This means Nick Kazur is sliding over and Sebastion Vollmer (who was a beast last year) is playing RT.  Everyone else is one year older and the Pats are thin with any OL reserves. On the plus side, Stephen Neal has the distinction of beating Brick Lesnar in wrestling.

Obviously, there are many other areas that may need improvement.  But these three address the areas that the Pats success has thrived on for years.  Score points, rush the quarterback and, most importantly, keep Brady of his back.