Today was "mud day," the annual day of camp where rookies have to throw themselves into a freshly-made mud puddle on the back corner of the field. Making matters worse, Tom Brady holds the hose and sprays the players while they're sliding through the grass and trying to get up. I also think I spotted Wes Welker dumping a large bucket onto some of the newbies as well.

New special teams coach Scott O'Brien jumped right in as well, and seemed to roll around while Brady drenched him.

Randy Moss took part in his first morning practice of camp, having not been present for the first three morning sessions. In addition to the PUP and NFI players, those not spotted were: DL RIchard Seymour, TE Benjamin Watson, LB Tedy Bruschi, CB Jonathan Wilhite, OL Ryan O'Callaghan, OL Al Johnson, OL George Bussey and DL Myron Pryor.

Seymour has now missed six consecutive practices, and clearly there is something that is keeping him off the field.

During 11-on-11 work:

* The Patriots used different defensive fronts, perhaps to take advantage of the depth they have at that position or possibly to help cover up for a potential lack of depth at linebacker.

* New England worked on red-zone situations for the first time, and Bill Belichick noted in his press conference that the team has begun moving away from a hard emphasis on fundamentals and into more situations installation in advance of preparation for the team's first preseason game, against Philadelphia next Thursday.

* During red-zone work, Laurence Maroney had a standout play, showing decisiveness and making a quick cut that resulted in a touchdown. Maroney isn't usually the Pats' first choice in the red zone, but if he has come to a place where he can run confidently, maybe that will change for him.