Freeman’s take

Safety Arturo Freeman drew a large media crowd in the locker room, and said he previously worked out for the Vikings. He had been with Green Bay in training camp and then spent a brief stint with the Titans. He’ll wear No. 25 with the Patriots.

“You realize it’s not about talent; it’s about the business side of it,” said Freeman, who played for the Dolphins from 2000-2004 after entering the league as a fifth-round draft choice. “Sometimes you find yourself on the outside looking in for whatever reason. But I’m blessed and fortunate to have done well enough to have this opportunity.”

Receiver Deion Branch was another player drawing significant media attention, while running back Corey Dillon declined a request to talk about reaching the 10,000-yard milestone. The reason? “Me being too old, being close to 31 [birthday: Oct. 24, 1974], I’m a little hoarse,” he said with a smile. “It’s deteriorating my throat.”

Dillon seemed to have some fun with the moment, telling a group of reporters it took him all his energy to touch his toes. He later said the team should put in a ramp for him to enter the stadium.

PRACTICE NOTES: For the second straight day, defensive lineman Richard Seymour, running back Corey Dillon, receiver Troy Brown and outside linebacker Willie McGinest weren’t present at the first portion of practice, which is open to the media. It is unknown if those players practiced after the media left … Cornerbacks Tyrone Poole and Randall Gay practiced for the second straight day after both returned for the first time late last week. … With windy and rainy conditions in the New England region, the team practiced indoors for the second straight day.

FAST FACT: Bill Belichick had an interesting comment on penalties in the NFL –- saying that 75 percent of them can be placed in four categories: 1) Block in the back in the kicking game; 2) Offensive holding; 3) Defensive-pass type of penalties — interference, illegal contact, holding, etc; 4) Line of scrimmage penalties — false starts, illegal motion, the plays that involve a lineman at the line of scrimmage.

Looking ahead, we’ll plan on posting one more update today, after the injury report is released.

–Mike