Mike Reiss offers his observations from day 1 of the Patriots' mandatory mini-camp.
Terrence Wheatley shows up. Third-year cornerback Terrence Wheatley, who is vying for a backup role on the right side behind Leigh Bodden, made two plays that had his fellow defenders excited. On one, he ran stride for stride with David Patten down the middle of the field and had solid coverage on an incomplete pass. On another, he had tight coverage on Randy Moss on an out route, batting a Brian Hoyer pass away. Had the pass from Hoyer been more to the outside, it could have been completed, but Wheatley still got his hands on the ball.
Albert Breer spends time digesting the first practice of the team's three-day mandatory work.
WR Taylor Price returned to practice -- And was impressive. The way he catches the ball away from his torso, controls his body, and comes in and out of his breaks is impressive. Clearly, you can see what the Patriots saw in him physically when they spent the 90th pick in the draft on the kid. Mentally, coming from the Frank Solich offense he came from, Price has got an adjustment to make. But there's talent to work with. One ball Tom Brady rifled in his direction was high and to his inside, and Price shot his hands up and stretched out to get it, while keeping his feet. That drew praise from the quarterback. Price tweaked his ankle late and had to sit out the end of practice, but was back on his feet and getting extra work in after the session.
Christopher Price opens his mini-camp notebook and shares some thoughts from practice.
Other than Wheatley’s pass breakup on the ball meant for Moss, maybe the most impressive defensive display of the day was when linebacker Jerod Mayo was able to keep pace with Edelman on a pass meant for the wide receiver out of the backfield. Mayo was able to stick right in Edelman’s jersey as the ball sailed just out of their reach down the near sidelines.
TEAM TALK
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Erik Scalavino offers some Mini-camp notes, quotes and anecdotes. Newly-signed RB Thomas Clayton showed good hands- - and a Mohawk - in his debut with New England.
- Ask PFW: Mankins, mini-camp and more.
- Bill Belichick Tuesday Presser. (10.14 min. video) Plus Transcript.
- Patriots Today - First day of Mini-camp. (4.40 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Catching up with Warren, Wilfork and others. (2 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Steve Nelson honored at Tradition. (2.50 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
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Ian Rapoport notes that while Mankins sat out OTAs, the team quietly moved Nick Kaczur over to the left guard spot and moved on.
- Mike Reiss details what he thinks is one of the primary issues between Logan Mankins and the Patriots: Is the offer an extension of his old contract or a new deal?
- Albert Breer reports Logan Mankins' teammates are letting Mankins address his own situation, not offering any opinions from themselves.
- Danny Picard notes that Stephen Neal is only focused on his own situation and trying to earn his own place on the roster.
- Mike Reiss offers five soundbites from the first day of Patriots mandatory mini-camp.
- Ian Rapoport writes Belichick isn't worried that Tom Brady's absence screwed up the timing of the passing game. BB says OTAs are more for individual improvements than teamwork.
- Mike Reiss says based on the few practices that media has observed in recent weeks, Derrick Burgess appears to be more than a depth player at this point.
- Shalise Manza Young catches up with Ty Warren, who's back at Gillette after completing 21 credit hours towards his bachelor's degree this spring. Great story.
- Karen Guregian notes Ty Warren is bent on finishing what he started and earning what he got with the credentials that a college degree will provide.
- Tom E. Curran notes WR Taylor Price looked like he was getting up to speed quickly before pulling up with an apparent leg injury. How serious it is we don't know.
- Albert Breer sees the Brady, Manning contract negotiations as a CBA compass. If all is right in the NFL, then those two guys will soon be the highest paid players in league history. If not, all this might be more than just a Colts or Patriots problem.
- Shalise Manza Young reports coach Belichick gave his predictable stock response to questions about Mankins.
- Karen Guregian notes the players have been fully engaged in mini-camp, but still staying up late to cheer on the Celtics.
- Mike Reiss answers his weekly reader mailbag, dominated by Logan Mankins' contract situation.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Bruschi predicts long Mankins standoff. (Plus 43 second video.)
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Mangold, Mankins trouble.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Big Question: AFC East's most hated?
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Power poll tempers AFC East excitement.
- Rick Gosselin (Dallas Morning News) NFL rankings: Colts, Cowboys take top honors.
- Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) Goodell has other issues before expanding schedule.
- Dan Graziano (NFL Fanhouse) NFL to begin push for expanded season.
- Todd Archer (Dallas Morning News) Ex-Cowboys QBs Aikman, Bledsoe offer solution for clearing oil from gulf.
- Kerry J. Byrne (Cold Hard Football Facts) A brief, fact-filled history of the NFL passing game.