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Training camp: Session #1 notes

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July 24, 2008 12:00 pm
By Shalise Manza Young

Hey all --

Training camp session number one is officially in the books. Held inside the somewhat cramped (and definitely steamy) quarters of the Dana-Farber Fieldhouse, the players took part in full pads during the two-hour workout.

Some observations:

** Tank Williams was working with the linebackers during position drills. The safety, who is 6-foot-2, 223 pounds, had been up with the 'backers during spring workouts, and it looks like he'll still be spending time with that group. Rodney Harrison has been used in a hybrid linebacker role in recent seasons, and it's possible Williams is preparing for something similar.

** In a skeleton line of scrimmage drill in which the ball was snapped and the tight ends took on linebackers, rookie Shawn Crable was taken to task by linebackers coach Matt Patricia after be was beaten by Stephen Spach. Bill Belichick pulled Crable aside to show him what the team wanted, crouching down and driving his hands into Crable's pads a few times while Crable listened attentively.

** Chad Jackson handled all but one of the kickoffs, with fellow receiver C.J. Jones split wide with him and catching one of the kickoffs.

** Rookie Matthew Slater did drills with the receivers at the start of the session but then donned a blue (defense) pinnie and worked at safety during 11-on-11 drills.

** Much maligned for his inability to pull in interceptions last season, Brandon Meriweather came up with one, picking off a ball intended for Ray Ventrone (who continues to work with the receivers). Unfortunately, myself and the reporters around me couldn't tell who threw the ball.

** Benjamin Watson, coming off ankle surgery, was not on the field but Belichick said he is not among those on the PUP list.

** Both Stephen and Brian Belichick were walking the sidelines.

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