Shalise Manza Young provides some quick hits from camp session No. 25.
The best moment of the day -- and quite possibly the best moment of training camp -- came when the offense and defense switched sides for some 7-on-7 red zone work with Vince Wilfork at quarterback.
Wilfork went 1 for 4, his completion going to Patrick Chung, who was covered by Sam Aiken on the right side of the end zone. On the next play, three defensive backs lined up trips right, and Wilfork's fade was too high and too deep for Darius Butler. That particular throw was pretty ugly. Butler dropped a slant on the next snap.
"He really made some good reads out there, although he didn't have a rush, so he sat out there for a good 10 seconds trying to get rid of the ball," Wes Welker said, unsurprised by Wilfork's mobility. "He's an athlete; don't let the size fool you."
Wilfork's impressive morning wasn't finished: when the team went back to "normal" and did some 11-on-11 work, he nearly picked off a Tom Brady screen pass over the middle. Wilfork seemed to come out of nowhere, and got both hands on the ball but couldn't hang onto it. He danced around in excitement, with Brandon Meriweather hopping on his back at one point.
Vince Wilfork appeared as a guest on WEEI's Dale and Holley show Monday.
As a group, are you happy with this young group of players that has come in, especially on the defensive side of the ball?
I’m very happy and I think that they’re starting to see guys that have been around the game for a while, either around the league or been a New England Patriot. They start to see how we handle ourselves and how we go to work day in and day out. That’s one thing that has gotten better. Like I said, we haven’t had any complaints. We come in to work. Not once have I heard anybody complain about full-pads and that’s good stuff. I think everyone is working toward one goal to win and be a better football team. A tough, smart football team. Bill said it from day one that’s what he wants. I think we’re doing everything in our willpower to be that type of team. I think the young guys are starting to look at guys, you don’t have to say much, they just look and see how we work and they just pick up. They’ve been doing a hell of a job so we’re going to need everybody to step up and will ballgames. Take it one game at a time, take it week by week and we’ll be where we want. We’ve got to grind and we all understand that.
TEAM TALK
- Game Preview: Patriots travel to Atlanta. Broadcast info, series history, team connections and more.
- Paul Perillo highlights the brief 7-on-7 period at practice in which the offense and defense switched sides.
- Andy Hart offers his practice 25 observations.
- Patriots Today - Final day of camp in Foxboro. (3.13 min. video)
- Locker Room Uncut - Thoughts from Welker, others before Atlanta. (4.17 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Mike Reiss talks about Vince Wilfork airing it out at quarterback.
- Ian Rapoport praises the athleticism of Vince Wilfork, even at 6-foot-2, 325 lbs.
- Tom E. Curran recaps the last Training Camp of 2010 in Foxboro.
- WEEI provides some highlights from Bill Belichick's appearance on 'The Big Show' yesterday.
- Monique Walker offers some highlights from Nick Caserio's Monday press conference.
- Mike Reiss discusses what to expect in Atlanta, where the Patriots will have two joint practices before their second preseason game Thursday night. (51 second video)
- Albert Breer notes Bill Belichcik and Falcons head coach Mike Smith will square off their music playlists against each other (3 songs each) to open practice this morning.
- Albert Breer reports Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff expects today's joint practices to be productive "if we can focus on improvement on both sides, and not worry about who’s the baddest dude out there.’’
- Ian Rapoport notes Nick Caserio spoke about Torry Holt, Ron Brace and the trip to Atlanta.
- Mike Reiss reports the Patriots already are facing a rash of injuries, but that's life in the NFL.
- Mike Reiss notes three players did not finish Sunday's practice because of injuries, Tully Banta-Cain, Thomas Williams and Darnell Jenkins.
- Shalise Manza Young reports the Patriots have made sure to focus on one of their larger flaws form the 2009 season: performance inside the 20-yard line.
- Ian Rapoport notes Wes Welker just wants to play.
- Karen Guregian says Kevin Faulk is still the man in the clutch.
- DJ Bean reports Brian Hoyer says "The best thing about being the backup for Tom Brady is learning from Tom Brady, in my opinion the best in the league."
- Karen Guregian describes how backup QB Brian Hoyer has Tom Brady over a barrel.
- Mike Petraglia talks about how Richard Seymour sold Gerard Warren on the Patriots.
- Karen Guregian sees a renewed commitment from Terrence Wheatley that uncovers what made him so attractive to the Patriots in the first place.
- Jeff Howe sees Rob Gronkowski taking over as the Patriots No. 1 tight end target.
- Christopher Price reports Aaron Hernandez is never far from Brady's side, learning the finer points such as little moves on routes, how to change stuff up and the importance of getting open.
- Mike Reiss offers a 'welcome back' to the tight end position to a prominent place in New England's offense.
- Ian Rapoport notes Mike Wright is vying for a starting job on the line next to Vince Wilfork.
- Karen Guregian says Derrick Burgess might have been on the field physically yesterday, but not mentally.
- Steve Buckley thinks humble BenJarvus Green-Ellis is one hungry back.
- Sports Tonight - Holley, Tanguay and Gasper discuss what Randy Moss will bring to the team this year. (2.16 min. video) Why is everyone so negative?
- Shalise Manza Young reports Aaron Schobel says he's done.
- Kirk Minihane argues that Tony Dungy is picking the wrong fight.
- Albert Breer's Training Camp Tour: Dolphins.
- Shalise Manza Young Patriots Notebook: Welker unsure if he'll play before opener; Brady had a business-like tone as he discussed his contract on WEEI; The best moment of yesterday's practice came when the offense and defense switched sides for 7-on-7 red zone work; List of the walking wounded.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Tim Graham (ESPN) How'd they look? AFC East camp musings.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Fellow sackmaster says 'Schobel wore out'.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Giants top Jets in preseason opener. Eli gets popped pretty good. (6.45 min. video)
- Dave Goldberg (NFL Fanhouse) AFC Title race could be determined by how teams handle holdouts. (Technically, Mankins isn't a holdout because he hasn't signed a contract).
- Vito Stellino (Florida Times-Union) When Colts lose, don't blame Peyton Manning.
- Greg Gabriel (Nat'l Football Post) Weekend postgame thoughts.
- Mike Pereira (Fox Sports) Memo to Jeff Triplett: Turn of the microphone when you are done making your announcements. The on/off switch is there for a reason.
- Jonathan Comey (Cold Hard Football Facts) Brand new rankings for 2010. Pats 8th.
VIEW FROM ATLANTA
- D. Orlando Ledbetter (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) Grimes, Owens will be tested by Randy Moss, Wes Welker.
- D. Orlando Ledbetter (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) Falcons get to see New England's 3-4 defense up close.
- D. Orlando Ledbetter (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) Falcons pass defense will face stiffer test against New England.
- D. Orlando Ledbetter (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) Falcons release depth chart for New England game.