Jerod Mayo speaks with the media after yesterday's practice.
"Coach Belichick will find a way to get us in shape and get us ready to go for four quarters, so that's what we'll do."
"To be honest - whatever the rules are, they are and I'm willing to do it any way - two-a-days, three-a-days, whatever."
"[The presence of Vince Wilfork] helps a lot. A lot of people see how big he is, the double teams that he takes and things like that, but people don't really know that he's a smart guy, a smart player. He makes some of the adjustments and helps me out a lot on the field. He's a good player."
"We were pretty young last year, so having guys here learning things [was constructive], even though it was an awkward year. But, these guys came back in shape and we're ready to go."
"[The jump from year one to year two] was very critical. At the same time, I had some veteran leaders around me that helped me, took me under their wing that first and second year. It really helped me out a lot."
"Everyone is in the same boat [regarding the shortened season]. We're all starting from scratch. It's not like we had the passing camps and things like that, so we all have a lot of learning to do." (On fan excitement for the return of football) "They're very excited. We're excited to see them out here as well, so it's a good day."
Vince Wilfork answers questions after practice.
"It's always the team first. That's the Patriot way. If you can't put the team first, then you won't be here. That's the motto that we live by. We really don't care too much about the individual [accomplishments] because we want to win. It's not an individual sport where you go out on the track and run 100 yards or a 200-yard dash and win a medal. To win in this, it takes a team effort. The quicker we understand that, the quicker we can get things rolling."
"I don't pay attention [to the personnel moves of other teams] at all because whenever we play, whoever we play, it doesn't matter who is on that [other] sideline or who is on that field. The game is always won between the lines, so I care less who I play against. I just try to prepare well and put it out there on the field. That's one of the main things that we have to [do], get this playbook down, and every day is going to be a challenge. It's going to challenge us, but I think with commitment we'll be ok."
"Like I said, all of that [what happened in the offseason] doesn't matter. We‘ve been away for a long time and whatever you've got, you've got to give it to us. That's where we're all at. All that's in the past and everything is over. It's football. Everyone wanted football. Well, it's here. How quick we can learn [is] how quick we can get better as a team. Make progress every day - that's our goal." (
"I don't know [what to expect from Bill Belichick]. Whatever he has for us, I'm pretty sure it's something we need."
"I think everyone in that locker room [welcomes new players to the team]. It's just the type of people we have. If you're here, we'll welcome you with open arms because we always want to be on the same page. No matter how you slice it, when you step on this field, you have to be on the same page. That's where mistakes happen.
So whoever steps in that locker room, we're going to make sure we cover everything we can in that team room and in meeting rooms and one-on-one time to put it on this field in practice and a game. But that's being a professional. We're very competitive. There're 32 teams out there and every one of them is competitive. I just believe that it's going to be very competitive at this camp. Like I said, it's going to be different, but you know what? The ball is rolling so we have to continue to roll it and hopefully we can get this thing started the right way."
TEAM TALK
- Bill Belichick Thursday Press Conference Transcript plus 14.46 min. video.
- Patriots player quotes - 7/28/11
- Erik Scalavino reports the players and coaches all welcomed the return of training camp.
- Patriots Today - High-energy start to unusual year. (2.47 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Extra Points: Day 1. (2.03 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Player thoughts on Day one. (2.18 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Shalise Manza Young reports the Patriots made a splash in free agency yesterday after a quiet beginning while they worked the phones.
- Ian Rapoport notes the Patriots dominated the football headlines with the new veteran free agent additions of Ochocinco and Haynesworth.
- Greg A. Bedard thinks both moves made by Belichick were worth the plunge.
- Mike Reiss wonders if Haynesworth and Ochocinco brought their baggage with them to New England.
- Mike Rodak offers his initial reaction to the Patriots' acquisition of Chad Ochocinco.
- Karen Guregian thinks the Chad Ochocinco trade was right on target.
- Christopher Price focuses on what Chad Ochocinco can bring to the Patriots.
- Ian Rapoport talks about the relationship between Bill Belichick and Chad Ochocinco.
- Sam Dykstra lists the most memorable moments we've seen from Ochocinco during his ten years in the NFL.
- Ron Borges says Haynesworth brings much to worry about.
- The Boston Globe looks at Albert Haynesworth's troubled past.
- Christopher Price posts a video of Bill Belichick, Deion Branch and Vince Wilfork all discussing the situation of Albert Haynesworth. (1.33 min. video)
- Mike Reiss offers a few quick-hit thoughts entering the second day of training camp.
- A. Sherrod Blakely says the new CBA rules and regulations have the Patriots adjusting on the fly but not slowing down.
- Greg A. Bedard gives us a daily briefing of what happened yesterday.
- Tom E. Curran offers his insight into what was a wild day at Gillette.
- Mike Reiss recaps a crazy day for the Pats. (1 min video)
- Greg A. Bedard says there is a contract for Matt Light in the works.
- Karen Guregian notes Deion Branch said he would "love the competition" if the Jets managed to land Nnamdi Asomugha.
- Amalie Benjamin talks with Deion Branch who says he'll be ready to help the young receivers along, especially after they missed so much.
- Ian Rapoport tells us what happened at the Patriots full practice on Day 1.
- Greg A. Bedard offers a look at what went on in the afternoon practice yesterday.
- Julian Benbow says the NFL lockout so over for the Patriots training camp loyalists who showed up in droves.
- Mike Reiss lists the players who opened training camp on the active/PUP list.
- ESPNBoston posts some photos from the first two practices of training camp today.
- Monique Walker Patriots Notebook: Ty Warren said he can't remember ever feeling this good to start training camp; plus more news and notes.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) Pats always ready to take calculated risk.
- Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) Can Ochocinco still produce? Breaking down why the WR should contribute in NE.
- MJD (Yahoo! sports) Chad Ochocinco is the newest Patriots reclamation project.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Ochocinco gets his same pay for 2011.
- Don Banks (SI) Patriots look to again turn trash to treasure with Haynesworth trade.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Patriots expect Albert Haynesworth to be a good teammate.
- Mark Schlereth (ESPN) Is Albert Haynesworth the new Seymour? (3.22 min. video)
- Don Banks (SI) Jury still out on Kolb, Ochocinco trade, Bush impact, and more.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFLPA keeping close watch on cuts of player reps and alternates.
- Rich Cimini (ESPN) Asomugha uncertainty hindering Jets.