The Patriots have returned to the upper practice fields behind Gillette Stadium this week (the ones used during training camp), with one big change: a large, navy blue, 20-foot high "curtain" blocks anyone on a higher floor of the Renaissance Hotel at Patriot Place from being able to see what's happening on the field.

As for who was and wasn't there, Adalius Thomas returned after missing Tuesday to tend to a personal matter. That meant Jarvis Green, Jonathan Wilhite, Matt Light, Julian Edelman, Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris weren't present.

Shawn Springs was wearing Wilhite's number 24 jersey, but Wilhite was not out there...