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Evening wrap

Hey all --

Bill Belichick must like what he's seeing from his team, as he cut both practice sessions short today by a half-hour each. Here's what we saw this evening:

Team owner Bob Kraft took in both sessions today from the sidelines.

Without Randy Moss -- who missed the day's on-field activities -- Reche Caldwell was running with the first-team offense. When he was on the field, however, most of the throws went to Jabar Gaffney and Wes Welker. On one play, Ellis Hobbs was all over Gaffney on a post route into the end zone. The two made contact, but official Billy Smith was right there and said no penalty.

The play of the day was made by Kevin Faulk. In 11-on-11 drills, Tom Brady faked a handoff to Faulk, who drifted out toward the right sideline and made a beautiful one-handed grab. Chad Brown was the nearest defender.

From the Murphy's Law dept.: during Bill Belichick's morning press conference, he was asked about Logan Mankins and the former first-round pick's consistency, which Belichick said is one of Mankins' strengths, both on the field and off. Wouldn't you know, the lone punish lap run tonight was by Mankins...

Remember that tomorrow's practice has been pushed back to 10:30 a.m. It is scheduled to wrap at noon. Patriots Experience will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 7:19 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Photos: The scene on Thursday at Gillette

Journal photos / Mary Murphy
Laurence Maroney signs autographs, while Tom Brady clowns with Rodney Harrison after the morning practice session at Gillette Stadium today.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 11:57 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Patriots work on special teams

Today's morning practice was all about special teams.

On the first punt return, Bam Childress ran it back for a touchdown.

Kicker Stephen Gostkowski did not miss a field goal, as both Josh Miller and Danny Baugher, duking it out for the punter's spot on the team, held the ball on his kicks.

Overall, New England coach Bill Belichick said that he liked what he saw.
"I thought it was a good tempo with the officials out there," Belichick said. "We all know how important the kicking game is. It's hard to simulate it in practice the way it happens in the game...but anyway I thought that was good work for us."

Posted by Rob Lee  at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Change to Friday practice

The Patriots have announced that tomorrow's practice has been changed. The start time has been pushed back to 10:30 am and will go until noon.

There is no afternoon session.

Patriots Experience, the family-friendly football-themed play area, will be open from 10 am to 1 pm.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 9:09 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

PM attendance

Remarkably (can you sense the sarcasm?), the attendance for this evening's practice is the same as it was this morning. Missing are:

Randy Moss, Rashad Baker, Garrett Mills, Kyle Brady and Asante Samuel, as well as the six players on the PUP.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 9:09 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Practice attendance

Hey all -

The day's morning session has gotten underway, and Randy Moss is not on the field. The receiver appeared to tweak his left hamstring during yesterday's practice, running about 60 yards downfield on a flea-flicker.

Also not on the field are Asante Samuel, Rashad Baker, Garrett Mills, Kyle Brady and the five players still on the PUP - Chad Jackson, Donte Stallworth, Eddie Jackson, Troy Brown and Richard Seymour.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 9:01 AM | Permalink | Comments 0