Projo Pats Blog

FOXBORO - It's officially a holdout. Richard Seymour wasn't on the field for the first practice of training camp yesterday morning.

When asked about Seymour's absence at his 11:30 a.m. press conference, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said he'd only have comment on the players who were actually in camp (echoes of Bill Parcells comment when once asked about an injured player: "I only deal with the living.").

In addition to the guys on the PUP lists (Bethel Johnson, Chad Morton, Tim Dwight most prominent among those) Willie McGinest also didn't practice.

The team went in full pads under bright skies with a light wind.

Chad Brown and Monty Beisel worked almost the entire practice at the inside linebacker spots.

Dan Klecko spent most of his time at nose tackle.

Tom Brady, who may not have had a pass hit the ground until late Aguust during 2004 camp, didn't seem as accurate as usual in the first session. He threw shoulda-been picks into the arms of Chad Brown and Duane Starks. They both dropped them.

Brady said afterwards he wasn't sharp. Rookie Matt Cassel, meanwhile, threaded a ridiculous 15-yard slant to diving wide receiver Ricky Bryant through a forest of waving arms.

Doug Flutie and Rohan Davey both threw well in the first session too.

One funny moment, on about the fourth play of the 11-on-11 session, Rosevelt Colvin was lined up over tight end Ben Watson. Watson must have jumped because Colvin reached out and shoved the second-year tight end back on his can.

NOTES

Ty Law's No. 24 has been given to safety Dexter Reid. Given that the team still has Drew Bledsoe's No. 11 on ice, giving away Law's number so quickly seems a little hasty. But maybe that's me.

In addition to Mike Vrabel getting a new deal, it was reported that defensive end Jarvis Green got a five-year contract that could net him between $12 and $18 million depending on how well he plays.

The team's next practice is at 5:30 tonight and is open to the public. Tomorrow, they go at 2:30 p.m. (the day's only session).

I'll check back in tomorrow after Belichick's press conference around noon.

T

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