Jeff Howe reports Haynesworth finally met his match with the return of Logan Mankins.
Defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth finally met his match on the practice field, as Mankins got the better of the matchups between the two players who might be the strongest on the team. The Patriots double-teamed Haynesworth early during his live reps against offensive linemen -- mostly using Dan Koppen, but Solder was in there once -- but Mankins held his own in one-on-one battles in all but a single rep. Haynesworth participated in about 10 live reps in the first half of the practice.
Karen Guregian reports Taylor Price hopes he can earn Tom Brady's trust this year, and as one of the best receivers in camp he's off to a good start.
"I think I have a good overall game. I have the speed to go deep but I feel like I can run intermediate routes," Price said. "I can run quick routes and get up field and make a short play a long play. So, I feel like there’s no limit to the routes that I can run."
"I love [the competition]. It only makes you a better receiver,’’ he said. "You’ve got to go out there every day like it’s a game day and bring your ‘A’ game and be ready to compete every single day. Be ready to go."
Mark Farinella notes Bill Belichick seemed increasingly annoyed when reporters ask him about whether the Patriots will have a base 3-4 defense or a base 4-3.
"Honestly, I think that's something that is a media fabrication," he said. "There are a lot of different alignments out there. You see 4-3 teams use odd spacing. You see 3-4 teams use even spacing. You have 11 players, you can put them in various positions. Whether you want to put it on the pre-game depth chart as one thing or another, I think is a little bit overrated."
TEAM TALK
- Erik Scalavino tells us what happened at camp Thursday afternoon, with the officials present to help with rules instruction and clarification.
- Paul Perillo says the fight for the slot corner will be one of the more intense camp battles for the Patriots this summer.
- Patriots sign first-round draft choice T Nate Solder.
- Bill Belichick Press Conference - 8/4/11 (14.13 min. video) plus Transcript.
- Nate Solder interview (3.54 min.)
- Patriots Today - Extra points: Day 7 (2.09 min. video)
- Training Camp Review podcast - 8/4/11 (13:03 min. program)
- PFW in Progress - 8/4/11 (2 hour program)
LOCAL LINKS
- Karen Guregian reports Logan Mankins says he never had a problem with Robert Kraft, and is open to staying in New England.
- Mark Farinella says it's easy to see Logan Mankins is in a happier place this year than he was last year at this time.
- Karen Guregian recognizes the time is now to lock up Logan Mankins.
- Christopher Price is glad to see Logan Mankins expressing an interest in a long-term deal with the Patriots.
- Jeff Howe reports Nate Solder joined the Patriots at practice Thursday afternoon.
- Ian Rapoport details Nate Solder's first practice yesterday.
- Mike Petraglia tells us what to expect from Nate solder in his first season.
- Jeff Howe notes RB Stevan Ridley has been one of the Patriots brightest performers through the first week of camp.
- Christopher Price shares what stood out to him at Thursday's practice.
- Tom E. Curran details Ochocinco's drops and what else happened at Thursday's practice.
- Mike Reiss cleans out his Patriots notebook one week into training camp.
- Mike Reiss says that with added speed and depth, the Pats' RB unit looks strong but crowded.
- Mark Farinella catches up with BenJarvus Green-Ellis after signing his contract and returning to the practice field.
- Christopher Price says Ryan Mallett never had a head coach throw a blocking pad at him during a drill before. Rookie.
- Ian Rapoport notes Bill Belichick isn't interested in the debate over whether the Patriots are making a dramatic philosophical shift on defense.
- Chris Gasper likens Belichick abandoning the base 3-4 for a 4-3 is "a little like Bill Gates swapping all his Windows-running PCs for Apple computers."
- Tom E. Curran talks about the defense and says it's how the Patriots play, not what they play, that's important.
- Paul Kenyon thinks we should just expect a lot of different looks from the defense this year.
- Mike Petraglia reports on Bill Belichick schooling the media on 3-4 vs. 4-3 and why the debate is a 'media fabrication'.
- NFL Live (ESPN) Mark Schlereth and Adam Schefter discuss what a D-line with Haynesworth and Wilfork side by side will mean for the Pats. (2.34 min. video).
- Mike Reiss talks about Belichick's concern over the new NFL rules regarding special teams.
- Jerry Thornton focuses on Albert Haynesworth and others: 'when bad people happen to good teams.'
- Tom E. Curran reports the Patriots have some wiggle room under the cap.
- Mike Reiss offers the transcript of his weekly online chat.
- Jeff Howe answers his weekly Patriots mailbag: Tom Brady is not yet looking sharp at training camp.
- Michael Hurley reports former Dolphin Channing Crowder has taken a physical for the Patriots.
- Monique Walker Patriots Notebook: Rookie OL Nate Solder signed his contract and participated in his first practice; Former Jet Shaun Ellis worked out in Foxboro; Patriots receivers had a bad case of the dropsies in practice Thursday; RB Shane Vereen was not at practice; Brandon Meriweather appeared to injure himself during a drill.
- ESPNBoston Video: Mankins and Solder join mix. (1 min. clip)
NATIONAL NEWS
- Stephania Bell (ESPN) Brady, Hernandez sharp at practice.
- Ken Crippen (Cold Hard Football Facts) LT, TD big winners on 'rusher rating' list. Green-Ellis was one of the most effective ball carriers in football last year.
- Jason Cole (Yahoo! Sports) Haynesworth, Ochocinco rejuvenated with Pats.
- Sean McCormick (ESPN) Plugging the holes: AFC East.
- Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) Weak in review: How AFC teams improved 2010 problem areas.
- Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Makeover grades: Boldness doesn't guarantee success.
- Mike Sando (ESPN) QBR: No such thing as passer perfection.
- Dean Oliver (ESPN) Guide to the Total Quarterback Rating.
- Richard Sandomir (NY Times) Sabols, ailing father and son team behind NFL Films, find strength in Hall journey.
- Wire Report (NFL.com) It's official: NFL players ratify 10-year labor deal with league.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Conduct policy more about P.R. than fairness.