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Return of the Bam

In an announcement that will make my father happy, since he's adopted him as his new favorite player, the Patriots announced this afternoon that they have signed wide receiver Brandon "Bam" Childress to its practice squad. He had been cut yesterday when the team signed Jonathan Smith off waivers from Buffalo.

New England now has seven players on the practice squad, one under the limit.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 6:32 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

One more thing... Bruschi

Bill Belichick was asked if Bruschi would be ready to practice this week.

He smirked. "The injury report comes out on Wednesday. I'd like to tell you today, but we have to comply with the league," Belichick deadpanned, drawing laughs from the media.

We'll let you know if number 54 is on the field.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 12:17 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Locker room love

Love, you say? Yup, love from Doug Gabriel. The newly-acquired wide receiver who arrived on the red-eye from Northern California yesterday morning, was cornered by the media horde and said he's happy to be here.

The 6-foot-2 speedster -- whose prodigious dreadlocks add another 3-4 inches -- admitted to being surprised when he got word that he'd been traded from Oakland, where he was preparing to be a starter alongside Randy Moss, but said his first thoughts about coming to the Patriots led to a smile.

"This is a better opportunity for me... I'm just happy to be here," he said.

Other observations:

* Rookie back Laurence Maroney, who did not make the trip to New York for the preseason finale because of a knee injury, was spotted by declined to talk.

* Rodney Harrison said his main concern with the regular season opening is his fitness; the safety started the last two preseason games, but may be on the field for more than 50 plays come Sunday.

* Bam Childress' nameplate has been removed, but his locker is still very much full. Could the little-receiver-that-can end up on this team somehow?

Practice access begins around 12:45.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Monday morning

Hey all --

Bill Belichick just held his first press conference since after the Patriots' game in New York last Thursday, and seemed somewhat upbeat. He said New England is on its first day of preparation for the season opener against Buffalo and knows there's "excitement, anticipation for fans and teams."

But he also said this may be one of the toughest games of the year to prepare for -- not just because its the first game and the Bills likely withheld some things during their preseason games, but also because Buffalo has a new head coach in Dick Jauron and two new coordinators.

Locker room is opening now; be back with more later.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 11:10 AM | Permalink | Comments 0