Andy Hart points out what stood out at yesterday's practice.

–Much has been made of the Solder vs. Jones matchups in one-on-one pass rush drills during camp. They went at it again on Sunday. One rep in particular they seemed to fight for a draw. Jones tried to bull rush Solder and did push him back and bend him over some. But Solder was able to hold his own to some degree. Solder clearly needs to continue to get stronger, as those power moves could be a problem for him. On the other side, Jones continues to show that he has a variety of skills to turn to for his pass rush moves. Both guys are going to be fun to watch develop on the edge of their respective fronts. And if everything goes as the front office plans/hopes, the consecutive first-round picks might someday have similar practice field wars on a practice field in Hawaii in February.

–Always a possibility to knock someone on his butt, Spikes shot and inside gap on a run play in team action. He put a shoulder on Dan Koppen and knocked the veteran center right on his can. It’s not just ball carriers that have to be on their toes with Spikes around, he knocks plenty of lineman to the turf as well. He’s clearly at his best when his moving forward at the line of scrimmage.

–Ras-I Dowling made a nice interception on a deep ball down the left sideline as Brian Hoyer tried to his Matthew Slater. Will Allen was also helping out in coverage on the play. Hoyer’s throw seemed to be a bit late and also got hung up in the air. –During a goal line segment for the offense Ridley followed the blocks of Eric Kettani for a pair of touchdown runs off tackle.

–Wilson continues to have a solid rookie training camp as a surprise second-round pick. He’s getting more reps by the day and doesn’t seem to be having any trouble keeping up with the defensive schemes and coverages that have been thrown his way. I haven’t seen him make a lot of plays, but I haven’t seen him give up too many either.

–Sunday’s open field tackling drill was "live," meaning defenders could bring the ball carrier all the way to the ground by just about any means necessary. Mayo just got Aaron Hernandez to the turf by wrapping up the tight end’s ankles as he was about to get by him. Bobby Carpenter whiffed on Vereen. Maybe the biggest stunner came when Hernandez broke Hightower off at the knees and got by the rookie with ease. Julian Edelman had just about as easy a time making Josh Barrett look silly with a fake. Carpenter whiffed again later on Brandon Bolden.

–Bolden continues to show impressive hands, making a nice jumping, twisting adjustment for a catch come out of the backfield to the right late in practice.

TEAM TALK

• Preseason Game Preview: New England Patriots vs. New Orleans Saints. Broadcast info, series history, team connections and more.
• Erik Scalavino notes OL Donald Thomas has been seeing a lot of action with Logan Mankins still recuperating, and more news and notes from Sunday's practice.
• Darren Hartwell reports it's Brian Hoyer's and Ryan Mallett's time to shine as preseason begins on Thursday.
• Press Conference: Bill Belichick (8.01 min. video)
• Player Interviews: Tom Brady (11.08 min. video), Donte Stallworth (5.37 min.), Nate Solder (2.33 min.), Kyle Arrington (2.17 min.), and Brian Hoyer (1.32 min.)
• Patriots Today - Sights and sounds of Pats camp. (3.06 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Sunday's practice report. (1.37 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Catching up with the team. (2.36 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Brady chats after practice. (11.08 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Fullback in focus. (2.16 min. video)
• PFW's Training Camp-Cast - Day 11. (13:40 min. program)

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss offers some quick-hit weekend thoughts from the Pats and around the NFL.
• Tom E. Curran sends us a Postcard from Camp: Breakdown of what they did, what he saw, who's hot & who's not.
• Jeff Howe offers his rundown of the Pats Sunday practice.
• Ryan Hadfield tells us ten things we learned at Patriots Training Camp Sunday.
• Mike Reiss wraps up Day 11.
• Mike Reiss cleans out his camp notebook: Highlight from camp - Nate Solder vs. Chandler Jones.
• Field Yates shares his camp observations from Sunday: Situational football practice.
• Tom E. Curran says don't tell Tom Brady it's just training camp - He's out there competing and giving it his all and that's what he expects from everybody else.
• Greg A. Bedard reports injuries are a mounting problem for offensive line, Brady was a bit frustrated, and more notes from Sunday's practice.
• Jeff Howe notes how Tom Brady is as tough on himself as he is on his offense, and the players respond to his accountability and intensity.
• Steve Buckley emphasizes Tom Brady's very real 'cold-blooded desire to win', and his bringing everything he has every day to make the team better.
• Shalise Manza Young reports Tom Brady says one of the advantages of being an older player is that he knows the playbook, understands why, and knows the calls.
• Chris Gasper reminds us that Tom Brady's 35th birthday means he won't be around forever.
• Karen Guregian notes Troy Brown was impressed with the depth the Patriots have at receiver, and speculates on who stays and who goes.
• Christopher Price tells us who is winning the big positional battles at Pats camp.
• Nick O'Malley sees Stevan Ridley taking the lead in the battle for starting running back.
• Tom Layman says RB Brandon Bolden might be the latest UDFA to surprise in training camp. He's quick, elusive, and has good hands.
• Tom Layman sees Nate Solder as the obvious replacement to Matt Light, protecting Brady's blind side this season.
• Mike Reiss notes the Patriots O-line is a concern in practice.
• Jeff Howe focuses on the Josh McDaniels- Nick Caserio connection and the crazy work ethic they both possess.
• Mike Reiss notes Ryan Mallett feels stronger and quicker this year not lost like he did last year at times.
• Amalie Benjamin & Chris Gasper report safety Tavon Wilson is transitioning well from cornerback to safety.
• Tom Layman reports safety Josh Barrett knows that being versatile is key for him to have a shot at earning a roster spot - especially at the crowded safety position.
• Zuri Berry projects the Patriots 53-man roster.
• Mike Reiss thinks Robert Gallery would have had a hard time cracking the 53-man roster, and offers some thoughts on the O-line.
• Mike Reiss tells us what the Robert Gallery retirement means for the Patriots.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Ian Rapoport (NFL.com) Wondering how far away the Patriots defense really is...
• Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) Chandler Jones, Dont'a Hightower eye starting roles.
• James Walker (ESPN) Next stop: New England Patriots.
• Mike Klis (Denver Post) Look for Patriots and Packers to play in Super Bowl XLVII.
• Peter King (SI) MMQB: Reflecting on Reid's tragedy; nuggets from Week 2 of my tour.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Undrafted rookie Cole Beasley quits on the Cowboys. Oh wait... never mind. /You're right Cole, you're nothing like Welker.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) As real issue comes into focus, next bounty hearing comes Friday.