Yes!! Yes!! Yes!!  Finally there's lots to scribe about.  I LOVE this time of year because something is happening all the time.  Players are being acquired or let go; backups are getting a shot at drills.  It's drinking from the firehose, but who cares!  With that said, here's a few more notes to chew on.

When the Patriots were working in the red zone, there were two times in which passes did not get past the line of scrimmage because they were batted down up front. On one play, it was rookie linebacker Shawn Crable getting his hands up and disrupting the passing lane. The Patriots were in a base 3-4 alignment and Crable was rushing off the defensive right side from the outside linebacker before swatting down quarterback Matt Cassel’s delivery. At 6-foot-5 and 243 pounds, Crable brings noticeable length to the field and with plays like that, he could be a factor in the team’s pass rush this season. Linebacker Jerod Mayo had the other deflection.

I always thought Shawn's long arms would be an asset during pass rushing schemes and this is a good sign.  Yes, it's very early, but it's cool anyway.

Belichick went 1-on-1 with rookie first-round pick Jerod Mayo. At one point, Belichick could be seen putting his hands on Mayo’s left shoulder pad, directing him in his movements. It was a snapshot of how hands-on the coaching can be in New England.

I can't imagine how that would feel.  A 22 year old draftee working 1-on-1 with one of the greatest coaches in the NFL today.  I have a feeling after he's run the gang into the ground, none of the players hold BB on a pedestal; he's simply "Coach" and the guy who is there to whip them into the championship team they're going to be.

With cornerback Jason Webster not at practice, that elevated second-round pick Terrence Wheatley to the first-unit defense opposite of fellow cornerback Fernando Bryant. Jonathan Wilhite then moved into the slot role. Wheatley seems to be competitive, as one can’t see a noticeable drop-off when he’s on the field.

I've liked Wheatley since we drafted him.  There was something about this kid that caught my eye.  Talented, young, smart and hungry, he appeared be the classic Patriot.  The fact that he can jump in without a noticeable drop-off is a very good thing considering the CB position was one that pundits claimed would be a huge weakness for the Patriots.

Although he was on the field for Saturday afternoon’s walkthrough, today’s morning session marked the first chance to watch newly acquired running back LaMont Jordan in a full-pads practice. As advertised, the 5-foot-10, 230-pound Jordan runs with a low center of gravity and with power. Such a style seemed to fit the work the Patriots were doing in the red zone. After the practice, Jordan – who joked that he went back to his high school look of a bald head and sideburns – said he hoped to have a Randy Moss-like season. “Randy came from Oakland and had a big year [in 2007]. I’m hoping for the same thing.” Like Moss, Jordan joins the Patriots from the Raiders.

As I stated earlier, at 5-10 and 230 lbs, LaMont runs with a low center of gravity and will be a powerful force.  This move will add a lot of depth to the RB position creating many problems for defenses around the NFL.  Classic Belichick, he's not one to rely on a few stars to carry the load; he wants depth in key positions.  It's early, but this projects to be an interesting year on the ground.