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August 27, 2007

Morning wrap: Coach says Samuel 'going through the process'

Hey all --

Bill Belichick acknowledged that Asante Samuel has arrived at Gillette Stadium in his opening statement this morning, but he didn't give much beyond that when it came to the cornerback.

"Asante came in this morning, I spoke with him. He's going through the process any player would go through at the beginning of camp -- taking his physical, conditioning run, all of that," Belichick said.

He was then peppered with several questions about Samuel, including whether it might not take him as long to re-integrate into the team since he's been with the Patriots for four years; if he is the type to let bygones be bygones; and if Samuel's return means Brandon Meriweather might see more time at safety.

The answers to those questions: "I don't know, we'll take it day to day like everything else"; "All I do as coach is coach the team. That's my job, that's what it's been, that's what it's going to be"; and "Asante hasn't been on the practice field yet."

Along other lines, Belichick praised rookie linebacker Oscar Lua (we know he's a fan favorite; we're partial too having spoken with him a couple of times), saying "he gets better out there every day."

The coach said he does not yet know who will make the 53-man roster come Saturday, and affirmed that Thursday night's preseason finale against the Giants is an opportunity for every player to increase his standing, whether it be making a case to get more playing time or simply to make the roster.

In the locker room, today was slightly better than the day last year that Deion Branch was traded. There weren't a whole lot of players around to talk to, though the ever-accommodating Ellis Hobbs and Mike Vrabel did talk. Neither would address the situation with Samuel.

Practice access begins at 1:10 p.m.; we'll let you know who is and isn't out there shortly thereafter.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 12:24 PM | Permalink