The New England Patriots held a public afternoon practice session on Saturday and 18 players including Albert Haynesworth and Brandon Spikes were not on the field.
Also among those missing practice were T Matt Light and RB Kevin Faulk who are according to NFL officials on the “active/physically unable to perform” list. Both had undergone surgeries Light for his shoulder and Faulk to repair his torn ACL. DE Myron Pryor was on the field for the first time this season.
Some notes from the actual full pads practice DB Sergio Brown had the hit of the day according to observers when he plastered rookie RB Stevan Ridley on the 3 yard line during goal line drills.
It was a much better day for the receiving corps as TE Rob Gronkowski looked really good as did his fellow TE Aaron Hernandez who made three nice grabs in the end zone including one that was made one handed. WR Chad Ochocinco also looked more in sync as he made a nice leaping catch over two defenders.
QB Tom Brady stayed after the workout and worked with WR Julian Edelman on routes and the like. Brady even ran sprints when he was done.
It was noted by several observers that newly signed free agent DE Mark Anderson seems to be exceptionally quick getting into the backfield several times during the session.
To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
Place kicker Stephen Gostkowski says he has “no limitations” but that he isn’t doing the full load of kicking as of yet as he returns from a torn thigh muscle that ended his 2010 season. He says, “I’m just trying to get healthy enough to get on the field everyday. It’s just trying to be smart about it.” Since replacing Adam Vinatieri, he has become the most accurate kicker in Patriots history and he and his booming kickoffs are important to the team when it comes to opponent’s field possession.
Say what you want about the defense but it surely appears that Bill Belichick is changing from a 3-4 to a 4-3 or 3-4 hybrid. It appears he feels something had to be done after quick playoff exits the last two seasons. He has seen both the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens chew up the Patriots with their post season running game. The 4-3 is a much better run defense as you tend to clog the line and with big guys in the middle like Vince Wilfork and Haynesworth there will be a lot of clogging going on.
A 4-3 or some form of a 3-4 hybrid would allow players like Wilfork and Haynesworth to get into the backfield, get sacks and blow up run plays while avoiding the double teams that Wilfork constantly has run into the last few seasons without Richard Seymour on the end. It also allows LB Jerod Mayo to move from the inside to the weak side and use his athletic ability to play sideline to sideline and pursue like he did at Tennessee. This also puts Spikes in the middle where he can shine as a very physical linebacker and puts Jermaine Cunningham on the end where he is more comfortable and he can blossom.
Remember if you take one part of someone’s game away, i.e. the run, they have to do something different. When you know a team is going to pass because they can’t run you can get a better pass rush, which leads to better coverage.
Former Patriot WR Chad Jackson has signed a one-year contract with the Oakland Raiders.
Just a reminder that the first preseason game is this Thursday at Gillette Stadium against Jacksonville. Sox & Dawgs will bring you a shortened game preview later in the week. It will be televised but only in the New England and Jacksonville markets. If you miss the game or can’t get it NFL Network will re-play it Friday afternoon at 4 p.m.
The Patriots will still hold some public practices as they prepare or the Jaguars. Here is the upcoming schedule that is always subject to change.
Sunday
There is no practice the players are off.
Monday
Practice will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Patriots Experience will be open from Noon until 5 p.m.
Tuesday
Practice will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Patriots Experience will be open from Noon until 5 p.m.
Patriots fans are amazing they’ve had nearly 16,000 combined at the last two practices on Friday and Saturday.
For all the latest training camp information go to patriots.com/trainingcamp or call 508.549.0041.
Stay with Sox & Dawgs for all the latest Patriots news. We will post larger signings and trades as soon as we can and will recap the minor moves near the end of the day.
Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem
