New England Patriots Links 7/27/12 - Patriots on the Receiving End at Camp

Mike Reiss wraps up the key story lines from Day 1, noting the receivers had the edge over defenders yesterday.

Belichick not surprised by Waters' absence. Veteran offensive lineman Brian Waters didn't report to camp, which Bill Belichick said was a similar situation to mandatory minicamp when he was "excused for personal reasons." Belichick said he wasn't surprised by Waters' absence. Waters started every game at right guard for the Patriots last season, and Dan Connolly filled the void there on Thursday, with Dan Koppen working at center. This could be a case where Waters plans to return later in camp.

Gronkowski practices. After an offseason in which he fielded what seemed like unlimited questions on the health of his previously injured ankle, tight end Rob Gronkowski was on the field for the first day of practice. Receiver Wes Welker noted that Gronkowski looked "real good" and then joked he was skeptical that would be the case because of the highly publicized "Summer of Gronk."

Welker not looking back. Welker didn't carry any disappointment he might have had about not reaching a contract extension onto the field. "Everyone tried," he said. "I tried, they tried, and it just didn't work out. ... The contract, and everything else, is out of my mind."

Star performer of the day. Quarterback Tom Brady looked to be in midseason form.

Tough day at the office. Rookie cornerback Alfonzo Dennard was the closest cornerback in coverage on two snaps in which long passes were completed. Overall, the receivers seemed to get the better of the cornerbacks in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 work.

Record crowd. The Patriots announced a crowd of 12,163, which is a single-session record.

Storyline to monitor. Thin along the offensive line, with just 10 practicing.

Rookie watch. Top draft picks Chandler Jones, Dont'a Hightower and Tavon Wilson all received repetitions with some of the team's top defenders, a sign they could be worked into the mix quickly.

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino reports there was a record crowd on hand for the camp opening.
• Paul Perillo shares his Day 1 observations.
• Andy Hart posts his pre-camp 53-man roster projection.
• Andy Hart wonders if the Patriots are committing themselves to a young RB committee.
• Andy Hart posts the cover of the new Patriots 2012 Yearbook. Pretty sweet.
• Andy Hart gives stock ratings to each player in the Defensive Back position.
• Patriots Today - Welcome to Camp. (1.16 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Pats start building a foundation. (2.16 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Breaking down day one. (2.33 min. video)
• Locker Room Uncut - Hear from the players on day one. (2.56 min. video)
• Press Conference: Bill Belichick (9.51 min. video)
• Coaches interviews: Matt Patricia (3.14 min. video) and Josh McDaniels (8.56 min. video)
• Player Interviews: Chandler Jones (1.56 min. video) - Wes Welker (4.17 min. video) - Jerod Mayo (3.28 min. video) - Jabar Gaffney (3.13 min. video) - Deion Branch (7.04 min. video) - and Vince Wilfork (4.01 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Karen Guregian focuses on just how well Brady was connecting with Donte' Stallworth and Jabar Gaffney yesterday, saying the chemistry is obviously still there.
• Greg A. Bedard saw a 'collective look of determination' in the first training camp practice from the Patriots.
• Karen Guregian writes that as the experts see it, Josh McDaniels' box is filled with more toys than any offensive coordinator could possibly imagine.
• Julian Benbow sees the Patriots in good hands on both sides of the ball with Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia.
• Shalise Manza Young shares the details on the latest story lines at Patriots training camp and tells us what's on tap for the day.
• Mike Reiss wraps up the key story lines from Day 1, noting the receivers had the edge over defenders yesterday.
• Field Yates gives us a full rundown of of the first practice of camp.
• Mike Rodak offers his observations from Thursday's full-speed practice.
• Tom E. Curran sends us some postcards from camp: Day 1.
• DJ Bean tells us ten things we learned from Day 1 of Patriots Training Camp.
• Greg A. Bedard gives his rundown of yesterday's practice, noting a red-hot Tom Brady started off camp in impressive fashion.
• Stephen Hewitt notes that Vince Wilfork comes to his ninth camp slimmer and excited to be back.
• Adam Kurkijian talks about Vince WIlfork and how much the defensive roster has changed over the nine years he's been with the team.
• Shalise Manza Young reports Wes Welker refuses to take personally the lack of a contract extension and, true to form, is focused on the job.
• Mike Reiss & Mike Rodak report more than 12,000 attend the first practice of camp.
• ESPN Boston posts some Photos from Thursday's opening day of Patriots training camp.
• Mike Riess offers the transcript of his weekly online chat. Terrific insight here as usual. Thanks Mike.
• Shalise Manza Young Patriots Notebook: Belichick not surprised by Brian Waters' absence; First round pick Chandler Jones handled his rookie duties, carrying five helmets off the field yesterday; The conditioning test Joseph Addai failed was in running the required 20 timed 60-yard sprints with minimal rest.
• Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: Rob Gronkowski was a full participant yesterday for the opening practice of training camp; Last season Brian Waters didn't sign until Week 1 and hit the ground running; Player participation update.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Darren Heitner (Forbes Ma) Rob Gronkowski signs with William Morris Endeavor to develop reality TV show.
• Chris Burke (SI) Position battles to watch in training camp. Ridley-Vereen-Woodhead mentioned on his list.
• Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Wes Welker at peace with the lack of long-term deal.
• Joe Fortenbaugh (Nat'l Football Post) 3 big stories as told by 3 key stats.
• Jeff Diamond (SI) Training camps becoming more player-friendly, but at what cost?
• Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) NFL division rankings.
• NFL Total Access (NFL.com) Top five defenses in the NFL. What, no Patriots? (1.07 min. video)
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL, locked-out officials meeting Friday.