Hi kids.. Just in from the afternoon session, grabbing a bite at Red Robin, and doing some shopping with the boy at Patriot Place  so this needs to be a shorty. I’ve got dogs to cuddle and a house to clean.

* The afternoon was gorgeous with sunny skies and a nice breeze. Crowds were lighter than the morning. Once again, guys were in full pads (although since last year, it seems to be the norm for most every practice.)

* It was pretty slow going at the beginning and was very quiet starting off with some field goals early on. Looked like the same group of missing/puppies as the morning (Mankins, Burgess/Welker, Brace, Jenkins, Aiken)

* The crowd woke up during route running, most especially when Tate made a terrific diving catch from Brady. There was no coverage since it was drills but it was  still a beauty and worthy of the praise.

* The highlight of practice was during the pass coverage drill when Faulk lined up with Mayo. Mayo stopped him cold and Fault wasn’t happy and wanted a Do-Over.  He got his wish saying “Let me show you something!”  Sure enough he juked his way around Mayo and got the ball untouched and wide open.

* Mr. Kraft spent some time talking to BB on the sidelines then entertained a group of suits while Mrs. Kraft set up and watched from the grass in front of the VIP bleachers.

* Vollmer took a solo lap while the same combo from the morning, Robinson (QB) and Wendell  (C) took another one together this afternoon.

*During some team work, Moss and Tate worked together as receivers on the outside.

*Guyton must have gotten a pick while they were working down in the opposite Red Zone as I couldn’t see anything except the backs of players, then came  59 emerging through the crowd.

*Fans stood up way too early for autographs and it’s catchy.. once one does, it’s like a wave that you can not only see but hear when they all rise and go to the ropes.

*Most guys did short sprints at the end of practice with the newbies getting in some extra team  work with Robinson at QB.

*When they huddled up, a chorus of Happy Birthday could be heard but I didn’t know whose it was until one of the guys gave Pepper a gatorade shower (of water) when it was through.

* OLine is back to lining up their helmets during their group cool down again… back to normal. LOL

*Running Backs signed this afternoon.

Random fashion notes: Pepper looks like he trimmed down some and Brady is sporting some long shaggy hair.

FYI:  No twitpics this afternoon as my phone battery was dying.  I’ll likely get a podcast up tonight. There was a car show going on in the Bass Pro lot right along Rt. 1 but I’m not sure how long it will last.

Posted: July 29th, 2010 under 2010.
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Day One, Session One is in the books!  My Christmas in July has begun and I’m raring to go! This morning was a rainy one and initially wasn’t too crowded. Once the camp buses showed up and the families came out to brave the sprinkles it got really crowded. Of course, I was in my usual spot on hill and although I wasn’t prepared with rain gear, I was comfortable enough.

Here’s MrsB’s notes for this morning:

* Punter Zoltan Mesko not only has  a great name but was the lone player on the field when I arrived.

* When the guys came out, I immediately noticed #41′s huge head of hair and thought about how much fun the vets will have on Rookie Haircut Day.. Turns out it’s Ross Ventrone, wearing big brother’s old number.

* Puppies were on the field for the stretching and did their conditioning work with trainers on the sidelines during practice instead of holing up in the field house or gym. Welker did some “leash work”  and lots of footwork. The 4 puppies/flunkies started off with some skipping then got into the work. Looked like, 88 Aiken, 10 Jenkins, and 97 Brace were there with 83 Welker.

* Big Vince took the first lap of camp, running during defensive drills. Later, 69 Wendel and 7 QB Zac Robinson took one together for botching a snap.

* Returning kickoffs were 11 Edelman, 19 Tate, 17 Price, and 32 McCourty.

* Andre Tippet took in practice from the top of the VIP bleachers.

* Play of the day goes to Brady to Moss for a corner endzone TD, covered by Sanders;  Biggest catch and biggest cheer.

* Starting corners were Leigh Bodden and Darius Butler with Merriweather and Chung as Safeties.

* Slater was in white and is listed as a WR this year.

* Starting OLine consisted of Vollmer, Neal, Koppen, Light, and Kaczur.

* Defense ruled in Redzone work when Price missed a pass, then Vince and Chung each made a stop resulting in a series fieldgoals.  (Nice hands by the kid on the hill  on the first catch and then one almost ended up in the media tent.)

* Practice wrapped up early, finishing at 11:00. It was Linebackers turn to sign but Randy Moss signed the entire time as well. Looks like Brady exited the field right after practice.

Here’s some random post practice tidbits…

* The media tent was overflowing for opening day.

* The OLine no longer aligned helmets in a row during post practice drills as they had in the past (Jake tidbit).

* 55 Brandon Spikes looks bigger than his 6’2″ and looks like he could be Mayo’s brother.

* Mr. Kraft came out at the end of practice and was talking to Mayo on the sidelines.

* Rookie Cunningham signed for awhile then started to leave until Patricia barked at him and sent him back to sign until the horn went off.

* The Revs were practicing in their field and you could see balls up in the air throughout the morning.

* A little guy put on Sammy Morris’s pads/jersey (assuming it was his son) and was running around until his sister(?) pushed him over and he had trouble getting back up.

* We waved and said hi to TBC while he was on his way in… one of the few players left on the roster that I know.

* I REALLY hope that the baby that fell out of the stroller while the dad was bringing it up the hill is ok!

I’ll be heading out later for the afternoon session and will get a podcast out at some point as well.

I also sent a few twitpics during camp and wasn’t sure how they would come out but weren’t that bad. If you want, follow me on Twitter for future glimpses of my view from the hill. http://twitter.com/mrsb

Posted: July 29th, 2010 under 2010.
Comments: 1

The schedule for the first few days of camp is out and this year, they are starting with consecutive doubles like they did last year. The time between seems shorter but it’s the same schedule as it was for 2009. (I was wrong in my podcast when I thought that they were further apart but I was thinking of the year before as I remember 8:30…)

So, for July  29, 30, 31, and 8/1 the times are:

Morning Session: 9:30-11:15

Afternoon Session: 3:45-5:30

On Monday, August 2nd, there is a public morning session from 9:30-11:15 and the ticketed evening practice inside Gillette Stadium for Season Ticket Holders and Foxboro residents.

Further dates and times to be announced as they get closer.

For those of you who are planning a trip to camp, bear in mind that the day before a preseason game there is typically no public practice as they are either traveling if it’s away or conducting private practice if it’s a home game. Also, in the past, there has been no public  practice on the day following a game.

Your best bet is to check with patriots.com for any scheduling changes before leaving the house.

Posted: July 28th, 2010 under 2010, housekeeping.
Comments: 1

The remaining dates have been posted for this year’s training camp. I should be able to take in the rest since I finish teaching tomorrow. (w00t!) As always, it’s subject to change so check http://patriots.com before heading out!

Practice Schedule
Sunday 8/16 – 3:45pm – 5:30pm
Monday 8/17 – 9:30am – 11:15am; 3:45pm – 5:30pm
Tuesday 8/18 – 9:30am – 11:15am; 3:45pm – 5:30pm

Posted: August 12th, 2009 under housekeeping.
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Wasn’t going to bother posting tonight since it’s so late and it’s all probably been said already but figured I should let you guys know I’m still alive..hehee. Of course,  we all had the weekend off and I’ve been at work during  some of the practices but even the ones that I’ve attended lately, I haven’t gone right home and have gotten in too late. Nothing great to report but I know that there won’t be any camp until Sunday  (away game and Country Music Festival) so here it is.

It was a hot one this afternoon and while the guys were in shorts and shells, they had a pretty spirited final practice before heading out to Philly tomorrow.

Bon Jovi was on the sidelines and spent most of the practice talking to Kraft while his music blared from the speakers during warm-ups and drills. NFL Films guys were also on the sidelines with their cameras too.

Lots of passing game stuff and of course, Brady to Moss was the order of the day. No surprise to all that they are truly in a class by themselves. (No Welker again tonight.) Jamar Love probably didn’t love being assigned to Moss all day that’s for sure!

Also tons of situational stuff and scout stuff going on throughout practice.

Wheatley had a sweet pick in the EZ over Shun White. Ventrone hauled on in from Hoyer for a TD. Greg Lewis hauled one in from Brady jumping up over defender Mike Richardson for the completion.

Rookie snapper Jake Ingram ran the show today with vet Hodel absent. Hochstein and Ninkovitch took some snaps as well.

Edelman got some private tutoring from Brady and Moss on the sidelines after a play today. Got lots of special teams reps too.

“Seabass” was the savior of the day to catch the punt at the end of practice for the annual “earn the team a reward” antics.  (Still no annual training camp creative  rookie hairdoos as of yet though.)

Although it’s only a preseason game I’m excited to see Brady and Co. back on the field this Thursday night… Go Pats!!

Posted: August 11th, 2009 under 2009.
Comments: none

Here’s the latest camp schedule.   Note the time change for tomorrow AM.

Practice Schedule
August 7: 10:30am – 11:15am; 3:45pm – 5:30pm
August 8: No Practice
August 9: 3:45pm – 5:30pm
August 10: 9:30am – 11:15am; 3:45pm – 5:30pm
August 11: 9:30am – 11:15am; 3:45pm – 5:30pm

Posted: August 6th, 2009 under 2009, housekeeping.
Comments: 2

Just back from the second practice of the day and while the boys were in shorts, shells and helmets instead of full pads for the first time this camp, it was a pretty spirited and fast paced practice.

*Tom Brady started off practice as the recipient of his “gift” from the OLine… a cake in the face and a Gatorade jug-o-water shower much to the delight of his teammates.  His pointing at his line and giving the slicing of the throat sign insures that payback will certainly be coming!

*Brandon Merriweather certainly is vocal.. He could be heard hooting and hollering every time his defensive teammates made a good play and when he picked off Brady and robbed Moss of a TD, he dropped to the ground and started spinning around in  a 3 Stooges like celebration.

* The JUGS machine was used again during kick-off drills and the guys had to first field one ball then toss it into the air as another was on the way, catching both then again with 3 balls. (What can I say… watching drills gets to be old after awhile and something new to report spices it up.)

*QB’s and receivers worked on routes simultaneously with all 4 throwing and running to receive at the same time.

*During 1 handed receiving drills, I once again commented to Mike that it’s like Moss has Velcro hands… He’s in a class by himself.

*Rookie Darius Butler (28)  stayed stride for stride with Moss and  tipped a Brady pass robbing him  during 7-on-7′s. Later, Welker took the rook to school evading him and connecting with Brady for a TD.

*Eric Alexander did lots of (voluntary) pushups on the sidelines throughout practice  when it wasn’t his turn to be on the field.

*Brady’s 2 minute drive started off with a long bomb complete to Galloway then one went through Moss’s hands. Welker caught one at the ground around the 3. Pass to Faulk was deflected by Mayo then the drive ended when aforementioned Merriweather pick of Brady at the post took place. (Faulk gave Mayo dapps for his head’s up play.)

*Brian Hoyer struggled big time today, but he’s an extra arm in camp.

* N00bs and Rookies continued on 7 on 7′s with Hoyer in one field while the rest of the team ran sprints in the other.

*The Krafts took in the practice, he from the sidelines and she from a comfortable spot on a blanket in front of the VIP bleachers.

* Defensive line signed and we got a chance to say hello to TBC after practice  and welcomed him back to the Pats.

I’m working in the morning so I’ll be back tomorrow for the second session only.

Posted: August 3rd, 2009 under 2009.
Comments: none

I’m back at camp after taking the weekend off for a family wedding and I’ve got lots to do between sessions so here’s the quick hits for today.  Big Al and I headed out this morning on our day off and met up with Mike to take in the hot and sunny morning  session.

* Following the typical routine of emphasis on the run game in the morning, Moss sat this one out while they worked a lot in the red zone. His absence also allowed for lots of Brady/Galloway work. On one particular play during full squad work,  12 scrambled to find an open receiver and connected with 13 in the EZ. Clearly, they were both pleased with the result and high fived after the play.

*Greg Lewis leapt up and  pulled in a good one, drawing lots of cheers from the crowd. Terrence Nunn saw lots of action this morning and is looking good as well.

* Running backs had some big plays this morning and Sammy Morris found a big hole taking to the house untouched. He and Maroney jumped up with a chest bump in celebration.

* Brady and Koppen took a lap for fumbling a snap and Light took one for a false start.

* BB did some one-on-one coaching with #46 Paris Lenon on the sidelines.

* Big difference in the Brady Birthday crowd these days… although fans sang Happy Birthday to him it was nothing like the crazed tweens of yesteryear shrieking and practically passing out at mere sight of their heartthrob.

*With Whilite out, Butler, Bodden, Meriweather, and Sanders saw most of the action.

Big Al Tidbit:  Noted that Butler has a habit of taking off his helmet and scratching his head… Hoping it’s just a tic or an itch and not a sign of confusion…hehe!

Pats have announced more camp times and they’re continuing on the same double session schedule:

August 4: 9:30am – 11:15am; 3:45pm – 5:30pm
August 5: 9:30am – 11:15am; 3:45pm – 5:30pm
August 6: 9:30am – 11:15am  (Evening session:
Season Ticket holders and Foxboro residents in-stadium practice)
August 7: 9:30am – 11:15am; 3:45pm – 5:30pm

Will finally get some pictures posted as my photographer husband took some this morning.

Posted: August 3rd, 2009 under 2009.
Comments: none

I’m still trying to shake the chill from getting soaked to the skin at the close of today’s practice.  A severe thunderstorm rolled through just as everyone was fleeing for their cars and was so strong that you literally couldn’t see and the wind blew over the fences surrounding the Patriots Experience parking lot!

The crowd was very light, most likely due to the impending weather and the fact that the camp busses don’t tend to do the second practice.

Workout music was playing during the stretch for this session, traditionally chosen by the offseason workout winners. As in the 3 sessions that I’ve attended, Wilfork stays to the back of the group by himself for the period.

Bruschi was off again tonight and Moss was in. For both days they’ve been on opposite schedules with Moss absent for the morning and Bru absent for the afternoons. Light  and Neal were back after being out for two in a row. Still no Seymour, O’Callaghan etc. Wilhite and Galloway were absent tonight as well. Shawn Springs made his first appearance.

The up and down Edelman had a decent catch today jumping up over a defender’s head to grab  an O’Connell pass, redeeming himself somewhat for this morning’s drops.

Chung and Meriweather worked together this afternoon.

Pats did some two minute work  (yippee!) but failed to get to the EZ (booooo!). The session ended early though due to the storm.

Mayo deflected an O’Connell pass and Meriweather picked one off as well. On the upside, he connected with Terrence Nunn with a nice pass in 7:7 work.

Can’t remember much else and my pad got so soaked I can’t read a thing…. One thing for sure is that some consistency will be welcome!

I’ve got a wedding to attend tomorrow so I’ll be back on Sunday, weather permitting!

Posted: July 31st, 2009 under 2009.
Comments: none

Just escaped the rain as I left camp today and we got lucky that it wasn’t a repeat performance of yesterday’s morning downpour.  It was breezy and overcast for most of the practice but thankfully the rain held off.

Light, Neal, O’Callahan and Seymour missed their second in a row so doesn’t look like Vet time off in these cases. Bruschi was back after having last night off and once again Moss missed the morning.

Guys were in full pads once again and there was a lot of special teams work. Got to see a lot of Hanson and Malone who shared the punting reps. Malone seemed to have the edge in terms of distance and hang time during this session.  As for the fielding, guys held one ball while attempting to catch the other. Julian Edelman especially had a rough time with it and dropped more than he caught.

Greg Lewis had a mixed day, dropping a big one uncovered at the post during drills but then stealing the show on a long touchdown run with Adalius Thomas putting in the extra effort staying with him into the endzone.

Jarvis Green ran a lap during drills and Steve Williams ran one later for hitting into Brady.. Guess he didn’t get the memo.

There seemed to be some miscommunication out there between 12 and the receiving corp. On one play his throw hit the back of LB Paris Lenon without a receiver in sight and another one with Galloway heading towards the post but the ball went to the sidelines.

Terrence Nunn drew some loud cheers for coming up with the ball as he jumped in the air between two defenders, was hit and held on to it. Brian Hoyer was the QB.

Slater is exclusively in blue this camp ala Ventrone other side of the ball switch-a-roo.

Overheard at camp: “Is that #7 Michael Vick out there?” UGHHHHH!

They ended camp with FG and a lady in front of me took one in the side of the face… (just a matter of time before someone gets hurt and they put an end to the fun on the hill.)

Defensive Linemen signed after practice.

Looks like the PM session is still on so need to cut this one short and head back out… Later kids!

Posted: July 31st, 2009 under 2009.
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