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.

Patriots Training Camp Highlights: Days 3 and 4

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 3 and 4:

Training Camp Highlights – Days 3 and 4:

The Patriots announced that veteran C/G Gene Mruczkowski has retired.

The Patriots announced that offensive lineman Lav Bauta was waived. They also announced the signing of free-agent offensive lineman Pete McMahon.

The team also made it official, announcing that Nick Kaczur was off the physically unable to perform list.

The Patriots signed free-agent RB LaMont Jordan, who is already participating in practice. The 5-foot-10, 230-pound Jordan runs with a low center of gravity and with power. Such a style seemed to fit the work the Patriots were doing in the red zone.

With the Patriots in full pads again for practice, this session seemed to be geared more toward the running game. Along with that, the defense is focusing on filling gaps. Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork and Richard Seymour comprised the 3-man line, with Adalius Thomas and Pierre Woods at outside linebacker and Tedy Bruschi and Tank Williams at inside linebacker.

Benjamin Watson and David Thomas are probably better known for their pass-catching, they also aren’t afraid to get dirty at the line of scrimmage.

Punter Chris Hanson was called on to the field to practice kicking field goals, in case Stephen Gostkowski was injured during a game.

Wesley Britt (right tackle) and Billy Yates (right guard) continued to work with the top offensive line, with Russ Hochstein at center with the second unit.

The Patriots' first seven training camp practices, six have been in full pads, which reflects how Bill Belichick and the Patriots' staff are introducing plenty of contact work to the players.

With cornerback Jason Webster not at practice, that elevated second-round pick Terrence Wheatley to the first-unit defense opposite of fellow cornerback Fernando Bryant. Jonathan Wilhite then moved into the slot role. Wheatley seems to be competitive, as one can’t see a noticeable drop-off when he’s on the field.

The Patriots were working in the red zone, 11 on 11, and the competitiveness meter was high. Tom Brady and Randy Moss kept clicking. Moss continues to make it look easy – he was giving cornerbacks Fernando Bryant, Terrence Wheatley and Mike Richardson fits. Meanwhile, Brady, whose work had been limited in the day's first practice, was really zinging the ball in there.

Bill Belichick noted that the Patriots would be increasing their work with situational football – such as the red-zone, third downs, and short yardage.

Patriots Training Camp Highlights: Days 1 and 2

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 1 and 2:

Training Camp Highlights – Day 1:

The Patriots announced the signing of first-round draft choice Jerod Mayo! That was the biggest highlight!

Bill Belichick had the team in full pads in both practices today, putting his club to the test right off the bat.

Quarterback Tom Brady rested his arm for most of the morning session, but let it fly in the afternoon session, including a long TD pass to Randy Moss.

Fernando Bryant and Jason Webster were the top corners in the practice. Bryant was able to go stride for stride with Randy Moss (in full pads) during most of the practice.

Third-year man Wesley Britt lined up at right tackle Nick Kaczur’s spot, while eight-year veteran Russ Hochstein occupied right guard Stephen Neal’s position.

Defensive lineman Richard Seymour has lost about 10 pounds and looks in great physical condition.

Belichick made the point that in conversations with Brandon Meriweather, he has been told that Meriweather feels more confident this season. Meriweather had some nice plays on the first day of practice, including one interception.

Belichick thoughts on having Mayo in Camp: “It is good to have every player. It is good to him. We worked with him in the spring and I think he learned a lot there. He has a long way to go.”


Training Camp Highlights – Day 2:

Day 2 also started with the team in full pads.

If there is one primary area of concern at this time, it would probably be the right side of the offensive line with first-stringers Nick Kaczur (tackle) and Stephen Neal (guard) on PUP.

There seemed to be a lot of special teams work in this practice. In addition to the blitz-pickup drill with running backs and linebackers, the offensive linemen worked on blocking defensive linemen and rushers in the passing game. There was also an inside-running drill.

Rookie receiver/safety Matthew Slater drew some “oohs” from the crowd with his burst of speed on one kickoff return drill

Rookie free agent RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis was on the field, as he was removed from the active/physically unable to perform list.

It looks like Shawn Crable might fit the profile of the second- and third-down pass rusher for the Patriots, as the team figures out where to play him.

Owner Robert Kraft made an appearance at practice.

Signed, Sealed, and Delivered!

The New England Patriots have signed first-round pick LB Jerod Mayo on Thursday, July 24. Mayo signed a five-year deal worth $18.9 million with $13.8 million in guarantees and bonuses. Mayo was present at the Patriots second practice of the first day of training camp.

The 6-foot, 1-inch, 242-pound linebacker from the University of Tennessee was the 10th overall pick in the draft. Mayo is expected to immediately compete for playing time at inside linebacker in the team's 3-4 defensive scheme. He had said earlier this month that he was eager to get to camp on time. He was only off by half a day!

Where's the Mayo?

With the signing of second-round draft choice Terrence Wheatley today, that means the lone draft choice left unsigned is first-rounder Jerod Mayo.

Players Signed:

Second-rounder Terrance Wheatley, played in 40 games with 28 starts for the University of Colorado over four seasons (2003-04, 2006-07). The 5-foot-9-inch, 183-pound cornerback recorded 156 tackles (124 solo), 1.5 sacks, 14 interceptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns, 31 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Wheatley also gained 1,350 yards on kickoff returns in his collegiate career.

Third-rounder Shawn Crable, a 6-foot-5, 243-pounder out of Michigan, will be competing for playing time at outside linebacker. As a senior, Crable set a school record with 28½ tackles for a loss, which ranked him second in the country.

Third-rounder Kevin O’Connell, a 6-foot-5, 225 pound former San Diego State Aztec, has been the source of much discussion since being drafted. The Patriots haven’t taken a quarterback that high in the draft since selecting Drew Bledsoe first overall.

Fourth-rounder Jonathan Wilhite, played in 34 games with 23 starts at cornerback over three seasons at Auburn, recording 101 tackles (77 solo), three interceptions, 14 passes defensed, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. As a senior in 2007, he played in 12 games with six starts while posting a career-high two interceptions in addition to 30 tackles (22 solo).

Fifth-rounder Matthew Slater (receiver/safety/returner)

Sixth-rounder Bo Ruud (linebacker)

NFL Crime Time

John R. Ellement, of The Boston Globe, reports New England Patriots OL Nick Kaczur was in possession of 202 OxyContin pills labeled as being made in Canada, according to police reports. Kaczur was arrested in April after police said a small amount of OxyContin was found in his truck following a traffic stop. Kaczur is scheduled to be arraigned in Whitestown, N.Y., town court next week on a charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a misdemeanor.

Assault charges against former Cincinnati Bengal WR Chris Henry were dropped Monday. Henry was accused of punching a University of Cincinnati student earlier this year. Another charge that he threw a bottle at the man's car was dropped during Henry's first trial. The prosecutor's office had asked the judge last week to keep three pieces of information out of the new trial. However, on Monday, the judge refused to keep the information out of court proceedings. Shortly thereafter, the prosecutor's office dropped the case with prejudice.

An arraignment for Broncos WR Brandon Marshall, who had an original court date of July 24, has been pushed back to August 12. Marshall was cited for making an illegal lane change after allegedly driving his Hummer H2 on the shoulder to pass two cars. He was also ticketed for not having his driver's license or proof of insurance, court documents say. Marshall was also arrested last October for a DUI after allegedly driving the wrong way on a one-way street in downtown Denver. An arraignment in that case is scheduled for Aug. 6.

ESPN.com reports the NFL has hired experts to study game film to determine whether players are displaying street gang hand signals as part of their on-field celebrations, according to The Los Angeles Times.

NFL and Rookie News

NFL News:

Tampa Bay Tribune columnist Roy Cummings speculates that Buccaneer RB Carnell Williams will miss the entire season. Williams suffered a severe leg injury last year and his status for the upcoming season has been in doubt ever since.

On July 15th, just seven days before the Bears are to report for training camp, the club decided they needed help at running back and signed veteran RB Kevin Jones.

Colts President Bill Polian called QB Peyton Manning's surgery "routine" and expects him to recover in time for the regular season. Manning underwent surgery to remove an infected bursa sac from his left knee Monday afternoon, which has a recovery time of four-to-six weeks.

Jay Glazer, of FOXSports.com, reports the Green Bay Packers have filed tampering charges against the Minnesota Vikings for allegedly communicating with retired QB Brett Favre. According to a source, the NFL is looking into the matter and has spoken with both the Packers and Vikings. The Vikings were notified that Favre had inappropriate communication with Vikings coordinator Darrell Bevell, who is a close friend and former assistant coach with the Packers. The Vikings have denied any contact with Favre but could lose draft picks and face fines.

ESPN.com reports retired QB Trent Dilfer has joined ESPN's lineup of NFL analysts. Dilfer will appear on several ESPN programs, including NFL Live, NFL PrimeTime, SportsCenter and Monday Night Countdown.

NFL Rookie News:

The New England Patriots signed fourth-round draft pick, CB Jonathan Wilhite. Terms of the deal were not announced. They also signed sixth-round pick Bo Ruud, it is a four-year pact.

Wonder how many rookie signings are in the same kind of stand still as the Eagles? A team source confirmed that the dispute between the NFL and the NFLPA over how bonus money can be structured in 4-year rookie contracts is keeping the Birds from inking second-round picks WR DeSean Jackson and Trevor Laws, with rookies scheduled to report to Lehigh on Monday. The dispute has to do with ownership's decision to scrap the current collective-bargaining agreement, meaning there is no salary cap in 2011 right now.

DE Chris Long, the second overall pick in the NFL draft, reached agreement with the St. Louis Rams on Saturday night. The financial terms of the five-year deal, with the option for a sixth, were not available.

Adam Caplan, of Scout.com, reports Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco has agreed to a five-year deal with a maximum of close to $30 million with $8.75 million guaranteed.

Pats Schedule: Food for Thought

The NFL scheduling formula can create some odd situations, but this one seems downright illogical and unfair: the New England Patriots, a perfect 16-0 in the 2007 regular season, will play the league's easiest schedule this season. This year's opponents had a combined 99-157 (.387 winning percentage) record last year. Meanwhile, the up-and-coming Cleveland Browns, who could be the first NFL team ever to make five prime-time appearances in a season after missing the playoffs the previous year, will play opponents with a combined 142-114 record (.539 winning percentage) last season. -- Rochester Democrat & Chronicle

Let's remember that the Dolphins were 1-15 last year.

Sun 9/7/2008 1:00 PM vs Chiefs
Sun 9/14/2008 4:15 PM @ Jets
Sun 9/21/2008 1:00 PM vs Dolphins
Sun 9/28/2008 vs Bye
Sun 10/5/2008 4:15 PM @ 49ers
Sun 10/12/2008 8:15 PM @ Chargers
Mon 10/20/2008 8:30 PM vs Broncos
Sun 10/26/2008 1:00 PM vs Rams
Sun 11/2/2008 8:15 PM @ Colts
Sun 11/9/2008 1:00 PM vs Bills
Thu 11/13/2008 8:15 PM vs Jets
Sun 11/23/2008 1:00 PM @ Dolphins
Sun 11/30/2008 4:15 PM vs Steelers
Sun 12/7/2008 8:15 PM @ Seahawks
Sun 12/14/2008 4:15 PM @ Raiders
Sun 12/21/2008 1:00 PM vs Cardinals
Sun 12/28/2008 1:00 PM @ Bills

NFL Crime Time

Seems like the only thing going on in the NFL right now is players getting in trouble with the law. (roll Cops theme song) Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?

NFL Crime Time:

A highly-placed NFL source says former Denver Broncos RB Travis Henry has tested positive again for marijuana. FOX 31 (Denver affiliate) Sports reporter Josina Anderson learned about the positive test late Thursday night. That information came from the same highly-placed NFL source that broke news of failed drug tests by both Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams and Henry in the past. "He is coming up for a year suspension," the source said. This is the second time Henry is facing a possible one-year suspension from the NFL.

Jacksonville Jaguars WR Matt Jones was arrested early Thursday morning in Fayetteville, Arkansas and charged with possession of a controlled substance. Officers say they searched the vehicle Jones and two other men were in, and found a plastic bag filled with a white substance that tested positive for cocaine and a jar with possible marijuana residue inside. Officers allege they saw a card covered in a white powder in Jones' lap.

Patriots RB Kevin Faulk plead no contest to misdemeanor possession of marijuana, stemming from an incident this February. Faulk will have a five-month jail term suspended and be on probation for a year. He will have to pay a $300 fine, a $250 drug test fee, and court costs. He also will have to perform 40 hours of community service in Lafayette Parish, speaking to students about drugs. Faulk, 32, also will have to complete 20 hours in a substance abuse program, which he will do through the NFL.

Denver Broncos WR Brandon Marshall was ticketed on June 12 for making an illegal lane change, according to Denver County Court records. Marshall, stopped on northbound Interstate-25, was also ticketed for not having his driver's license or proof of insurance, according to the court document. Marshall is scheduled to be arraigned on July 24, according to the records.

As the list of problems continues to pile up for Denver Broncos WR Brandon Marshall, his coach Mike Shanahan said he hasn't lost faith in the troubled Broncos receiver's potential to turn things around. Shanahan gave his support to his third-year star receiver and didn't give any indication he would suspend him. "I can't go into great detail, for obvious reasons, but Brandon has a good upside and he's a real good kid," said Shanahan, "I feel very good where Brandon's at. I think he'll be fine."

The second assault trial for former Bengal WR Chris Henry has been scheduled for next week, beginning July 14th. Henry's previous trial ended in a mistrial after the jury could not agree on a decision. ESPN's James Walker speculates that Henry could be immediately reinstated to be able to play in the league if he is found not guilty.

Imprisoned ex-Falcons QB Michael Vick filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy. Vick estimates that he owes between ten and fifty million dollars to his many creditors, including the Atlanta Falcons. The team is trying to recover part of the signing bonus Vick has already received.

NFL News, NFL Crime Time, and Patriot News

NFL News:

SI.com's Peter King writes that he fully expects QB Brett Favre's agent to send a letter to the Packers within the next 10 days, stating that Favre, 38, wants to be taken off the National Football League's reserve/retired list. At that point, the team will have no choice but to re-admit the league's most accomplished statistical quarterback ever back to football, and general manager Ted Thompson and McCarthy will have a decision to make that you can be sure is keeping them up nights. They can take Favre and his $12.8-million cap number back onto the team and give him his starting job back, they can trade him or they can release him.

QB Trent Dilfer said he is retiring from football. "I injured my Achilles' while I was on vacation with my family. I was going to retire anyway. This just gives clarity to the situation. There will be a formal announcement in the next few days about that."

St. Louis Rams RB Steven Jackson says he is "100 percent healthy" and ready for the start of training camp. He will be in the final year of the five-year contract. "A contract year is big for anyone, but especially for the last year of a rookie deal," Jackson said. "I'm looking to have a great year and lengthen my career with St. Louis. Hopefully, I'll retire as a Ram."

According to John R. Wilke at the Wall Street Journal, the Rooney family, which owns the Pittsburgh Steelers, has quietly been seeking offers from other parties to buy the franchise. Stanley Druckenmiller, billionaire chairman of Duquesne Capital Management in Pittsburgh, is reportedly heads one of the potential groups who is interested in offering to purchase the franchise.

Against Executive Director Gene Upshaw's wishes, the NFL Player's Association's executive board has begun searching for his successor. Over the past few years, Upshaw has taken some flack as retired players have felt neglected in regards to health care and finances. On June 18, a four man sub-committee (comprised of current NFL players) delivered the proposal to search for a new Executive Director.

NFL Crime Time:

Colts head coach Tony Dungy said WR Marvin Harrison, who's coming off knee surgery, "is doing really well" and reiterated the receiver is not a suspect in an April 29 Philadelphia shooting about which he was questioned.

Patriots RB Kevin Faulk has pleaded no contest to misdemeanor possession of marijuana, stemming from an incident this February.

The second assault trial for former Bengal WR Chris Henry has been scheduled for next week, beginning July 14th. Henry's previous trial ended in a mistrial after the jury could not agree on a decision. ESPN's James Walker speculates that Henry could be immediately reinstated to be able to play in the league if he is found not guilty.

Denver Broncos WR Brandon Marshall was ticketed on June 12 for making an illegal lane change, according to Denver County Court records. Marshall, stopped on northbound Interstate-25, was also ticketed for not having his driver's license or proof of insurance, according to the court document. Marshall is scheduled to be arraigned on July 24, according to the records.

Imprisoned ex-Falcons QB Michael Vick filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy. Vick estimates that he owes between ten and fifty million dollars to his many creditors, including the Atlanta Falcons. The team is trying to recover part of the signing bonus Vick has already received.

Patriot News:

Patriots RB Kevin Faulk has pleaded no contest to misdemeanor possession of marijuana, stemming from an incident this February.

The Patriots announced that former TE Ben Coates will become the 13th inductee into the Patriots Hall of Fame.

The team officially announced that it would open its training camp in Foxborough at Gillette Stadium Thursday, July 24.

NFL and Patriot News

Patriot News:

The New England Patriots have released DB Willie Andrews, one day after his arrest for illegal possession of a large-capacity firearm and assault with a dangerous weapon. He is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on Thursday.

When asked about the departure of DB Asante Samuel (who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason), New England Patriots WR Wes Welker pulled no punches. "Asante's a great player, so it hurts not to have a guy like that. But then again, it's part of the business of the game. He chose money over championships, and that's the way it goes sometimes."

NFL News:

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said it's "ridiculous" to reward untested rookies with lucrative contracts and wants the issue addressed in contract talks. "There's something wrong about the system," Goodell said Friday. "The money should go to people who perform."

It has been reported that retired QB Brett Favre has an "itch" to come out of retirement and report to training camp with the Green Bay Packers later this month. The source also said that his family has been "tugging" on him to play. Favre has communicated his desire to HC Mike McCarthy, but talks have not advanced to a substantive stage. The source said the Packers would be reluctant to open the door for Favre because "Brett retired for the right reasons." Favre's agent downplayed the likelihood that his client could un-retire. "As far as I know, right now, Brett Favre is retired and until he tells me something different, that's what it is," James Cook said.

The list of currently unemployed running backs contains two former first-rounders and a second-rounder. NFL teams appear worried about Shaun Alexander's sharp decline in production, Travis Henry's off-field issues, and Kevin Jones' back-to-back season ending injuries. Of the three, Jones is getting the most attention; he demonstrated in a private workout that he is ahead of schedule to return from last season's ACL tear.

The Tampa Buccaneers reached agreement with RB Earnest Graham on a three-year, $10.5 million contract extension, reports NFL Network's Adam Schefter. The agreement would eliminate a potential training camp holdout by Graham, who skipped volunatary OTAs but did attend mandatory team minicamp in mid-June.

Cleveland Browns WR Joe Jurevicius recently had another surgery to clean up tissue in his injured right knee. This is the fourth knee surgery for Jurevicius and his status for training camp is now in question.

The Pittsburgh Steelers released RB Najeh Davenport. With the Steelers current RB corps, Davenport became expendable as Pittsburgh has Willie Parker, rookie Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore to carry the bulk of the workload this season.

NFL Outlaws:

The judge hearing the assault case of ex-Bengals WR Chris Henry declared a mistrial after the jury was unable to come to a unanimous decision. A second hearing has been set for July 8th for Henry, who has been suspended indefinitely from the NFL.

The New England Patriots have released DB Willie Andrews, one day after his arrest for illegal possession of a large-capacity firearm and assault with a dangerous weapon. He is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on Thursday.

In regards to Denver Broncos WR Brandon Marshall's latest arrest March 6 on a misdemeanor battery charge in Atlanta, reports obtained by The Denver Post on Friday detail accusations that Marshall previously punched his girlfriend, cut her leg with a knife and threw a rock at a car in which she was a passenger. Marshall did not return a call seeking comment Saturday, and the attorney representing him declined to comment.

Packers LB Nick Barnett has completed a deferred prosecution agreement, allowing him to avoid a criminal conviction stemming from a nightclub incident in June 2007. He was originally charged with criminal disorderly conduct but entered into a deferred-prosecution agreement that offered to reduce the criminal count to a civil ordinance offense if he complied with terms and stayed out of further trouble with the law.

Ravens CB Derrick Martin was cited on a charge of drug abuse after police say he was found in possession of suspected marijuana at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

Patriots cut ties with DB Andrews

The New England Patriots have released DB Willie Andrews, one day after his arrest for illegal possession of a large-capacity firearm and assault with a dangerous weapon. He is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on Thursday.

The arrest, which took place in Mansfield, Massachusetts was Andrews's second in five months. The defensive back was arrested in February in Lowell, Massachusetts after he was found to be in possession of approximately a half-pound of marijuana. He was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Andrews, 24, was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft. In two seasons, he totaled one defensive tackle, 23 special teams tackles and returned four kickoffs for 149 yards.

In a nutshell, Andrews isn't a good enough player to keep his job after allegedly holding a gun to his girlfriend's head.