New England Patriots Links 8/19/09 - Training Camp Wrap; Rex Ryan's Big Mouth

TRAINING CAMP OBSERVATIONS

Mike Reiss wraps up the afternoon practice noting the presence of newly signed S Roderick Rogers.

Newly-signed safety Roderick Rogers (No. 43) made a nice play to break up a deep pass from Brady to Moss, although the ball appeared to be a little underthrown. He appeared to be jawing with Moss after the play. Moss victimized him later on a deep throw, though.

Christopher Price reports Jonathan Wilhite was no longer wearing the red non-contact jersey, and appeared to be going full speed in drills with the rest of the defensive backs.

One of the best catches of camp came early on this afternoon when Tom Brady found Randy Moss with a laser at the back of the end zone as part of a passing drill. Moss caught the ball with his right hand, making a one-handed backhand grab that you had to see to believe. It was like his glove was covered in Velcro — just stuck his mitt up there and he came down with it. Really impressive stuff.

Andy Hart comments on the spirited session despite the lack of full pads.

Terrence Nunn got a little talking to from coaches after being in the wrong spot on one pass route in group work with the QBs. He seemed to be in the wrong place later on a pass from Andrew Walter as well. Nunn then made up for it with a nice catch on a deep ball from Kevin O’Connell later in the practice. The first-year player is clearly in a battle for his roster/practice squad life. He’s still a PFW favorite but bumbling kickoffs in preseason action and getting yelled at by coaches in non-contact drills isn’t the greatest sign in the world.

Erik Scalavino offers news and notes from the final open practice of the summer.

WR Wes Welker was back on the field after missing several consecutive practices and the first preseason game last Thursday. Punter Chris Hanson also saw his first action in pads since the Eagles game.

Late in practice, while the rest of the team was working on the right field, QB Tom Brady, Moss, Welker, and WR Joey Galloway were on the left field working on pass patterns.

Ian Rapoport notes a reporter asked Patriots coach Bill Belichick for his thoughts on camp ending. "Ending?" he asked like it was crazy.

Practice began with a birthday song for LB Adalius Thomas, who turned 32 today. Belichick has praised Thomas for his leadership and versatility.

Brady wouldn't leave the field until he finished on a good note.  So Galloway lined up wide, ran as hard as he could, and reeled in a Brady pass in the end zone. And then they were done.

Daily Links after the jump...

TEAM TIDBITS

• Patriots sign S Roderick Rogers.
• Paul Perillo considers the Pats defense transitioning to a four-man front.
• Ask PFW: Training Camp wrap up, roster predictions, trades revisited and more.
• Patriots Today: Camp concludes, thoughts from Welker and more.  (8.43 min. video)
• Locker Room Uncut: Seymour, Welker and Maroney.  (3.32 min. video)
• Bill Belichick Tuesday Press Conference Transcript.
  

LOCAL LINKS

• Chris Forsberg previews the new ESPN Monday Night Football commercial, "Is it Monday Yet?  Brady's back."  Brady's not actually in it, but It's a hoot.  (40 second video)
• Karen Guregian notes the quiet confidence of Randy Moss, who hasn't spoken to the media since last May when he asserted the offense was "going to be a little bit scarier" than it was two years ago.
• Mark Farinella reports Wes Welker may have a slight ankle sprain, explaining why he didn't suit up last Thursday and may not play tomorrow night against the Bengals.
• Mike Reiss introduces us to newly signed S Roderick Rogers.
• Chris Gasper catches up with a healthy Laurence Maroney, who is expecting to "run hard and make good, decisive reads and just take what I can get."
• Mike Petraglia says Laurence Maroney feels he got a lot accomplished in his first preseason game last week against the Philadelphia Eagles.  "It’s been a while since I had a game-type situation. It was just good to get out there and get a feel for the game."
• Karen Guregian figures that in a 4-3 defensive scheme, Richard Seymour may have more of an opportunity to shine and get to the quarterback.
• Rich Garven notes the Patriots haven’t officially scrapped the 3-4 as their base defense, but they’ve definitely laid the foundation and appear well positioned to make such a move.
• Paul Kenyon reports Tank Williams hopes to be a Patriot this year but he's preparing for life after football.
• Mike Reiss looks at the Patriots roster In terms of number of players at each position, and stacks up to the NFL average?
• Mike Reiss offers some thoughts from Wes Welker and from Richard Seymour following practice yesterday.  Dan Koppen also throws in a playful jab at Brady's latest magazine cover.
• Jeff Howe details Patriots rookie Terrence Nunn's quest for a roster spot.
• Mike Reiss answers his reader mailbag full of questions about the defense, receivers, Brady, trades and more.
• Globe 10.0: Bob Ryan debates with Chad Finn whether this offense can be better than in 2007.  (2.34 min. video)
• Mike McDermott notes "The ego has landed" -- and other observations about Brett Favre.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Dave Hutchinson (Newark Star-Ledger) NY Jets coach Rex Ryan takes another veiled shot at New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick.  Wait, isn't it Belichick who supposedly is the arrogant jerk?
• Greg Bishop (NY Times) Rex Ryan has words for Patriots (Again).
• Don Banks (SI) Preseason Week 1, winners & losers.  Patriots are winners, woo-hoo!
• Ben Reiter (SI) Postcard from Camp: Patriots. 
• Don Ohlmeyer (ESPN) New ombudsman analyzes ESPN's handling of Ben Rothlisberger story.
• Mike Florio (Pro Football Talk) ESPN finally fills its ombudsman vacuum.  Don Ohlmeyer tackles ESPN's non-coverage of the Ben Roethlisberger sexual assault suit and misses the mark.
• Peter King (SI) Minnesota Vikings are making a big mistake with Favre.