Mike Reiss offers some observations from practice 9.
Rookies get soaked. An annual training camp tradition, the team’s rookies and first-year players had to slide though a soaked portion of the far practice field, with Tom Brady and a garden hose making sure each player was completely wet before returning to practice. Last year, second-year players Tyrone McKenzie and Brandon Tate were both injured and were not on the practice field for the "event", but only McKenzie took the plunge this year. Tate successfully stayed hidden behind a group of defensive linemen. Even safeties coach Corwin Brown, in his first year as a coach with the team, got watered down.
Erik Scalavino focuses on Aaron Hernandez and the tight ends at practice.
Still in the 7-on-7 period, which was the liveliest part of the workout, Hernandez ran a nice fly route down the right sideline and nearly came down with a deep ball from Brady. Despite cornerback Kyle Arrington providing as tight a coverage as possible without committing a penalty, Hernandez jumped and spun counterclockwise to get his hands on the underthrown ball. But when Hernandez hit the ground on his back, the ball fell to the ground as well. The rookie again came up slowly from that play.
Overall, it seemed like a tough day for Hernandez. It started with his hose-down and continued when he appeared to get an earful of constructive criticism from coaches and even some veterans. He also might’ve been physically shaken up after making a couple of catches. However, toward the end of the session, Aiken offered an encouraging tap on the shoulder, and at the end of practice, Brady knelt next to Hernandez and gave him what looked like a pep talk.
Paul Perillo notes the Pats are working hard to fill several potential openings in the starting lineup on defense.
"I think all five of those guys have done good things," Belichick said. "Pierre and Rob are definitely ahead of where they were last year. Again, Rob kind of came in late and [there was] a little bit of catch up with him all year, although he did a lot of good things. But I think this year he is starting from much higher ground. Jermaine has picked up things very well. I think each day you can definitely see him getting better, more confident, understanding things that happened the day before and being able to process that, and the same thing with Marques."
TEAM TALK
- The New England Patriots announced today the signing of first-year TE Carson Butler and rookie free agent WR Rod Owens.
- Erik Scalavino reports on the season-ticket-holders-only workout inside Gillette Stadium Monday night.
- Patriots Today - A look inside the stadium. (2.28 min. video)
- Paul Perillo reports the Patriots announced the completion of a 525-kilowatt solar power system that will span the rooftops of seven buildings at Patriot Place.
- Patriots Today - New additions, slip-n-slide and more. (3.29 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Monday thoughts from the Pats. (3.16 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Cancer Awareness Week. (1.06 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Ian Rapoport gives us the list of players who earned the totally awesome and special parking spots for 2010.
- Tom E. Curran considers the possible franchise-tagging of Manning or Brady and it's fallout.
- Ian Rapoport notes ESPN2's SportsNation will celebrate Tom Brady's birthday with some rarely seen Brady videos and his TV appearances on Saturday Night Live, Entourage and Family Guy.
- Christopher Price notes Nick Caserio's different approach at camp. Last season he was out there every day conducting drills, this year he's on the fringes.
- NESN catches video of the annual Camp tradition of Tom Brady hosing down the rookies.
- Mike Reiss focuses on the Mayo-Spikes combination.
- Mike Reiss asserts the untested pass-rushing corps is the biggest question mark at Patriots camp.
- Karen Guregian talks about the pass rushing holes.
- Mike Reiss breaks down the OLB depth chart.
- Mike Reiss thinks the Aaron Schobel situation is worth monitoring from a Patriots perspective.
- Monique Walker notes Torry Holt is searching for a roll and fighting for a spot in a crowded receivers position.
- Ian Rapoport details Brandon Tate's journey to where he is now, calling the elusive receiver a complement to Randy Moss and Wes Welker.
- Shalise Manza Young says Brian Hoyer spent off-season time in the film room watching anything he thought could help. He worked to get stronger, and on his fundamentals.
- Karen Guregian reports Julian Edelman has been watching film big time, studying the Moss, Welker, Gaffney and Stallworth unit from 2007.
- Monique Walker says Julian Edelman hopes being able to dedicate all of his energy to improving as a receiver will pay off in his second season.
- Shalise Manza Young offers a peek at Monday night's practice inside Gillette Stadium.
- Mike Petraglia reports from Monday night's practice.
- Jeff Howe notes who was held out of practice last night and says Tom Brady has been building connections with Gronkowski, Tate and Edelman.
- Ian Rapoport explains why Bill Belichick would change a practice to a walkthrough.
- Mike Reiss offers a couple of quick hits from Belichick's press conference.
- Mike Reiss notes Robert Kraft shared his thoughts with reporters on Welker's return, what position stood out to him in practice and his hope for the future with QB Tom Brady.
- Albert Breer checks in with his report from Jets camp in Cortland, NY, on Day 2 of his NFL training camp tour.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Michael Marot (AP for NBC Sports) Jim Irsay won't let Peyton Manning walk away from the Colts next season — no matter the cost. Can you say 'franchise tag'?
- Dave Goldberg (NFL Fanhouse) Veterans' contract squabbles could pave way for rookie salary cap.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Schobel could help other AFC East clubs.