Projo Pats Blog

Today's practice ended on a special note, with the Patriots players, including many of those on the PUP, surrounding Andre Tippett on the field as he received the cheers of the fans and thanked them for their support. Bob Kraft called Tippett "the Patriots' greatest defensive player ever."

On to the notes:

** As to who was and wasn't there, the biggest absence was number 12. In all likelihood, Tom Brady just got the day off. S James Sanders, TE David Thomas and T Anthony Clement missed practice for the second straight day, while T Matt Light, CB Jason Webster and LB Vince Redd missed for the fourth straight day.

** At the start of the session, both G/C Russ Hochstein and TE Jonathan Stupar were practicing long-snapping, likely "just in case."

** Randy Moss made the day of a group of kids, likely a camp group, from New London, Conn. at the start of the session. When they spotted Moss, they began screaming, but then all chanted his name in unison. Well-known for his dedication to children, Moss approached the group and signed a few autographs, causing a mini-riot and surprising the security staff.

** Brandon Meriweather is showing that his offseason work on ball-catching is paying off. He caught an interception on the first day of camp, and today juggled but still pulled in a ball initially tipped by Tank Williams in 11-on-11 work. The ball was thrown by Matt Cassel, who took the first team snaps in Brady's absence.

** On that same play, Fernando Bryant was hurt. He lay on the field for a moment and then walked off on his own power. After testing his leg (it looked like it might have been his knee), backpedaling, jogging and cutting, he returned to the field for the rest of the session.

** Moss made a tremendous grab (does he have any other kind?), a one-handed snare that he sort of tipped to himself, beating Mike Richardson and Williams, who were in close coverage.

There are two sessions tomorrow, but they are at 8:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. NOT the 5:30 p.m. start we've gotten accustomed to when there are double sessions.

 Tags  andre tippett brandon meriweather fernando bryant matt cassel Randy Moss tank williams tom brady training camp

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