The New England Patriots are about kick off their 2016 training camp with a series of press conferences by team leaders. Head coach Bill Belichick will start at 12:00pm (noon), followed by defensive captain Devin McCourty and special teams captain Matthew Slater.
You can watch the press conference live on the team website here and we will provide updates as they speak.
The Patriots require their veterans to report today, Wednesday July 27th. Practices will be open to the public starting tomorrow. Here’s the full offseason schedule, and here is the next week of events:
Thursday, July 28th
9:15 - 11:45 am: Morning Practice
10:00 - 2:00 pm: Patriots Fan Zone
Friday, July 29th
9:15 - 11:45 am: Morning Practice
10:00 - 2:00 pm: Patriots Fan Zone
Saturday, July 30th
9:15 - 11:45 am: Morning Practice
10:00 - 2:00 pm: Patriots Fan Zone
Sunday, July 31st
9:15 - 11:45 am: Morning Practice
10:00 - 2:00 pm: Patriots Fan Zone
Monday, August 1st
The Patriots will host a Hall of Fame Induction ceremony for Patriots Hall of Fame running back Kevin Faulk. The event takes place at 5:00 pm EST and will be free and open to the public outside The Hall at Patriot Place. Season ticket holders will be allowed to attend the in-stadium practice after the ceremony at 7:00 pm EST.
Live Updates
Belichick
S Nate Ebner will be receiving a roster exemption for the Olympics. Patriots have signed TE Bear Pascoe and OG Jon Halapio to bring the roster to 90 players. Halapio is a former Patriots draft pick.
Belichick: "Our priority is to get Jimmy (Garoppolo) ready for the Arizona game."
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) July 27, 2016
Belichick says Tom Brady will return as the starting quarterback in Week 5 against Cleveland
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) July 27, 2016
Belichick: "We have a good situation. We have 3 (QBs) we want to work with." Says some teams around NFL some years don't think they have 1.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) July 27, 2016
Belichick on Jimmy: "I don't know how else I can put it. We're gonna get him ready the best we can. That's what we're gonna do."
— Tom Leyden (@TomLeyden) July 27, 2016
Will the offense change with Jimmy? Belichick: "We'll see."
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) July 27, 2016
"Almost like he's never left." - Belichick on the return of OL coach Dante Scarnecchia
— Adam Kurkjian (@AdamKurkjian) July 27, 2016
Belichick on spring/summer to this point "we haven't had a ot of competition so far." Says that changes once they get in pads.
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) July 27, 2016
Belichick on Deflategate: "It's been in the same place for a year and a half, basically. Now we have some definition."
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) July 27, 2016
McCourty
McCourty: "Even though you play with the greatest QB, you don't go out there saying we only have to play OK because Tom's here."
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) July 27, 2016
"We want to be a dominating defense no matter what." - McCourty
— Rich Hill (@PP_Rich_Hill) July 27, 2016
McCourty on more motivation with Brady: I don't think it matters. You have 32 teams with one goal... your motivation shouldnt change
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) July 27, 2016
McCourty said it won't be weird facing Chandler Jones in Week 1: "I've played against my twin brother. It can't get more awkward than that."
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) July 27, 2016
McCourty said confidence in communication is high, but always feels that way until there's a mistake and Belichick and Patricia get on them.
— Adam Kurkjian (@AdamKurkjian) July 27, 2016
McCourty on JG: "Each time he steps on the field, he gets better & better...You know he's a hard worker. I don't think there's any worries."
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) July 27, 2016
Slater
Slater on Brady: It's obviously going to be an adjustment, but we're definitely thankful he's around now
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) July 27, 2016
"I've had several conversations with Nate [about the Olympics]. Just so happy for him. We know how much rugby means to him." - Slater
— Rich Hill (@PP_Rich_Hill) July 27, 2016
"That connection with father and son is greater than sport. Just trying to figure out where I can get that Ebner rugby jersey." - Slate
— Rich Hill (@PP_Rich_Hill) July 27, 2016
"You don't have to be Randy Moss, you don't have to be Tedy Bruschi. You can be Larry Izzo and carve out a role in the third phase." -Slater
— Rich Hill (@PP_Rich_Hill) July 27, 2016
Slater: I think {Brandon King] can be as good as he wants to be... the sky is the limit for Brandon
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) July 27, 2016
MS on BKing: I can honestly say I haven't seen too many guys as talented as him...I think the Good Lord has given him some excellent gifts.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) July 27, 2016
Slater asked if this could be an "us against the world" type of year: "We always feel like we're in that boat, and that's OK."
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) July 27, 2016