Patriots Training Camp Highlights: Days 5 and 6

Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe does a great job covering and reporting from the New England Patriots Training Camps. Here are some of his reported highlights from Days 5 and 6:

The Patriots have removed safety Rodney Harrison from the physically unable to performance list.

Punter Chris Hanson was tested as the Patriots worked on punting deep in their own territory and he seemed to strike the ball well from the back of the end zone.

With officials calling the practice on Wednesday, there were at least two penalties at the line of scrimmage. One was offsides on Richard Seymour and a false start against left tackle Nick Kaczur. They are the type of mistakes that are probably commonplace at this point in training camp, although players continue to run laps around the practice fields after making such mistakes.

There was an injury scare for CB Fernando Bryant while going for an interception during practice Wednesday. Trainer Jim Whalen tended to him. Bryant retreated to the sideline under his own power, and on his back, seemed to be having his left knee checked out. Before long, Bryant returned and finished the practice.

Left tackle Matt Light missed his sixth straight workout, as did CB Jason Webster.

Pass offense seems to be more challenging when both WR Randy Moss and WR Wes Welker are not available for practice. WR Chad Jackson continues to show improvement as Tom Brady and Jackson work on improving their miscommunication.

How are the Rookie's doing?

LB Jerod Mayo: Takes control when called upon in sub packages. Shows a little bit of everything a team would want in a linebacker -- power (in rush drills), speed (in 11-on-11 work, covering a RB), and smarts (leading the defense).

CB Terrence Wheatley: Has shown speed and ability to change directions, while not backing down from the challenge of facing Randy Moss. The recent absence of Jason Webster has elevated him to the first unit, and he hasn't backed down.

OLB Shawn Crable: His pure physical presence (6-5, 243) makes him stand out among the crowd, and he's shown up in pass-rush work (several pressures, a deflection) coming off the defensive right side.