New England Patriots Links 8/10/09 - Seymour, Warren and Crable Practice in Full Pads

Erik Scalavino Sunday's Play of the Day:  Wilhite TD pass to Butler.  Yep, you read that right.

To end practice, Belichick made things interesting. He had the offense and defense switch roles for a few plays on the goal line. A lap around both practice fields was on the line for the losing side. On one play, Wilhite was under center and was blitzed at the snap. He hurriedly tossed a prayer of a pass toward the right corner of the end zone, where rookie corner Darius Butler made a circus catch for the score. It appeared from a distance (and with a slightly obstructed view) that Randy Moss was in coverage against Butler. Wilhite later scored on a botched play when he ran in a fumbled backwards pass from about 15 yards out.

Shalise Manza Young reports on how Derrick Burgess was used in Oakland and how he'll fit in with the Patriots.

Burgess has some experience playing linebacker in a 3-4 formation, but it is limited; even with that, however, the terminology in New England is like learning a new language. And there is the matter of adjusting to playing upright when he’s had his hand in the dirt for much of his career.

Asked whether he can "stand up," Burgess drew laughs with his quick retort: "I’m standing right now." But he quickly wiped the smile from his face, saying, "Whatever they need me to do I will do and whatever I need to work on I will work on."

Bill Belichick emphasized that Burgess has a long way to go, but was happy to have him out on the field. With the mini-break the rest of the players got on Friday afternoon and Saturday, the coaching staff was able to spend some time with Burgess, trying to bring him up to speed.

TRAINING CAMP OBSERVATIONS

• Mike Reiss provides ten quick-hit observations from an entertaining full-pads Sunday afternoon practice.
• Erik Scalavino Day 10: Sunday afternoon notebook.  Derrick Burgess joins the team - and had to run his first penalty lap.
• Shalise Manza Young offers her thoughts from Sunday's session.
• Christopher Price passes along his notes from Sunday's practice. O'Connell and Slater struggled a bit.
  

The play of the session was likely a long-distance strike down the sideline from Tom Brady to Randy Moss. Darius Butler was in coverage and appeared to be running stride for stride with No. 81, but he just got turned around by Moss, who made an excellent catch in stride for a ball that would have easily gone for a touchdown.

• Ian Rapoport offers some of his quick hits from camp.
• Mike Reiss mentions the return of Richard Seymour, along with several other absentees, to practice yesterday.

TEAM SHOTS

• Patriots kick off preseason against the Eagles in Philadelphia.  Broadcast and game information, series history and team connections.
• Patriots linebacker Derrick Burgess addresses the media during his post-practice interview on Sunday, August 9, 2009.   (5.53 min. video)
• Bill Belichick August 9th Press Conference transcript plus 18.08 min. video.
• John Cockrell Friday Out-Takes: Matt Millen, The T.O. Show, and his Blooper Reel.
  

LOCAL SHOTS

• Chris Gasper notes Derrick Burgess is prepared to give it his all in New England and happy to be where he can win.
• Ian Rapoport says Burgess is eager to put Oakland behind him and start winning some games.
• Ben Collins catches up with a rejuvenated Ty Warren, who is ecstatic to be back on the field and back on his line.
• Michael Whitmer covers WR Greg Lewis, his improbable journey to the New England Patriots and Belichick's respect for the solid, hard-to-cover seven-year veteran.
• Chris Gasper reports Shawn Crable wants to make up for his lost season and is glad to be back.
• Karen Guregian details a different kind of defense put up by CB Leigh Bodden.
• Robert Lee says QB Brian Hoyer finds a mentor and role model in Tom Brady.
• Shalise Manza Young reports Stephen Gostkowski hopes changes in personnel won't change his past success.
• Bob Ryan and Kevin Paul Dupont debate whether the Patriots can finish with 12 wins or better (which both hosts think they will).  (2.39 min. video)
• Mike Reiss looks at the Patriots most frequent trade partners and ranks the Pats most frequent trade partners since 2005.
• Ian Rapoport and Karen Guregian Patriots Notebook: Players returning to practice; LB Paris Lenon leaving practice; Belichick noncommittal about playing Brady in Thursday's preseason game against the Eagles.
  

LONG SHOTS

• Tim Graham (ESPN) Patriot champs won't catch '90s Bills in action.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Five Bills observations from Hall of Fame game.
• Peter King (SI) MMQB: Training camps, Hall of Fame inductions and more.