Bill Belichick's latest group of "eager beavers" as he called them gathered behind Gillette Stadium this morning for a first taste of NFL life on the field.

The Patriots' 12 draftees, five undrafted rookies and 13 other players in on tryout -- 30 in all -- were put through their paces in a one-hour session; there will be a second practice at 2 p.m., as well as classroom and video work throughout the weekend.

A couple of bits of info from the practice:

* Patrick Chung was wearing jersey number 25 (last worn by Artrell Hawkins), and Darius Butler was in Ellis Hobbs' old 27;

* WR Brandon Tate was in a jersey and shorts, but the rehabbing wideout mostly stood on the sidelines getting mental reps; Belichick said afterward that Tate, who tore his right ACL last Oct. 11 against Notre Dame, is coming along "day by day" and "when he's ready I'm sure he'll be out there (actively participating)."

* Butler didn't get off to a great start as a kick returner, as he muffed back-to-back efforts from a tryout punter who's name we don't know. The first time, he signaled for a fair catch then dropped the ball; the second, the ball bounced off his arms and facemask. On defense, he was getting good coverage on the receivers he lined up against (more unnamed tryout players);

* During 7-on-7 work near the end, Chung could be overheard directing traffic and telling Marcus McClinton where he was supposed to be;

* Jermail Porter, the wrestling All-American who is trying to make the conversion to NFL player, said after the session, "this is a whole new world. It's a heck of an opportunity and I'm trying to make the most of it."