 | | |
sports > football > patriots > blogs
« Brady checks in |
Main
| Practice change »
July 29, 2007
5 from practice
Here are five observations from this morning's training camp practice, which was held in hot and steamy conditions:
1) Brady seeking rhythm. As one would expect at this early juncture of camp, the quarterbacks are working to find their groove and struggling at times. This was evident when Tom Brady threw a long pass down the middle intended for Jabar Gaffney that was intercepted by cornerback Tory James. The throw was well off the mark. Credit James for hustling to make the pick, but it's a throw you seldom see Brady make during the regular season.
2) Right tackle competition. Nick Kaczur and Ryan O'Callaghan figure to battle for the starting job, and while Kaczur worked with the top group for the first three practices of camp, O'Callaghan was in that spot today. Bill Belichick described both as strong players who can anchor in the passing game and create movement in the running game. It's too early to declare a leader in the competition, as this will be an area to watch in the coming weeks, specifically in preseason games.
3) Tight end shortage. With Kyle Brady and Garrett Mills not at practice -- and David Thomas still on the physically unable to perform list -- the Patriots had only two pure tight ends at practice (Benjamin Watson, Matt Kranchick). To fill the void, running back/fullback Heath Evans lined up at tight end in the team's inside running drill.
4) Belichick and linebackers. When the front seven works on its fits in the running game, you usually see Bill Belichick standing behind the linebackers, drilling the finer points of the fits home. Belichick has a long history with linebackers -- dating back to 1981 with the Giants -- and has regularly spent some practice time with the unit during his Patriots tenure. Stopping the run is usually priority No. 1 for any defense, and for the Patriots' 3-4, building chemistry among the linebackers in terms of fits is imperative at this time of year.
5) Spectator interest. A record crowd of 7,975 packed the practice fields, creating a standing room only situation. Each play in practice that produced a desired result drew cheers, even when run at less than full speed. And when the entire offense took a lap due to a mental breakdown -- circling toward the hillside and bleachers packed with fans -- a wild cheer erupted. "I don't know if they know why we're running," cracked quarterback Tom Brady. "I don't think they'd be cheering us if they did."
Posted By: mreiss | Time: 01:28:20 PM | E-mail | Link
|
|
|
