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September 6, 2006

Locker room & practice

Since the workroom was packed for Bill Belichick's press conference, that meant the locker room was packed as well, and a couple of players got bombarded.

You know, it's amazing sometimes to watch from afar. There were no fewer than a dozen television cameras in the locker room today, and all of those cameramen also mean a reporter and sometimes even an intern. Add in another half a dozen or so radio guys plus reporters from papers that cover Portland, Maine to Hartford and all points in between, and you're talking about at least 50 people.

And when you're a media-friendly guy, like Rodney Harrison or Rosevelt Colvin, nearly every one of those people crowds around your 3 1/2 by 8 foot locker, pressing you back until you can't go any further, microphones under your nose, and bright camera lights in your face. And a lot of the camera guys are standing on step stools to get up high enough to get a better look.

Can you imagine all of that?

I have to say, I'd get grumpy sometimes too if I was a player facing that. Heck, I get grumpy when I'm trying to do my job like everyone else and a camera guy is trying to push me out of the way or make me twist in ways I just don't bend so he can get a shot.

That's why I tend to wait until the crowd has dispersed. Less pushy, and often less smelly. And a lot of the times, better quotes.

So now you have an idea of what it's like in there.

Anyway, most of the questions to Harrison, Colvin, and Brady focused on the first game and how eager they are to get the real season underway.

Corey Dillon said not much has changed as he begins his 10th NFL season, and that he's "anxious and ready to play."

Out at practice, it was the usual suspects out: tackle Nick Kaczur, linebacker Tedy Bruschi and wideout Deion Branch. Asked earlier if he had an update on the Branch situation, Belichick said, "I sure don't."

Ty Warren was back at practice after missing Monday and not playing in last Thursday's game against New York. Laurence Maroney was at practice and running drills, still with a light brace on his left knee. We also noticed a brace on Brady's left knee. Rookie tight end David Thomas was at practice without the red no-contact jersey he had been wearing the last couple of practices.

Today is the day we welcome Joe McDonald into the fold; fans of the Bruins, Red Sox, P-Bruins and PawSox already know Joe's work. He is now working the Pats beat with me and we are focused on trying to bring you the best Patriots coverage in the area.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 2:05 PM | Permalink