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Not a good night for Cassel

Hey all --

The Patriots have wrapped up their evening session, held in full pads inside Gillette Stadium for season ticket holders and Foxboro residents.

The biggest thing we came away with: it was not Matt Cassel's night. The backup QB was picked off twice in 11-on-11 work -- once by Adalius Thomas on a pass intended for Wes Welker, and another time by rookie Brandon Meriweather. It was Meriweather's first interception of camp.

There was quite a bit of 11-on-11 work, as well as some 9-on-7 work. It appeared offensive lineman Billy Yates was injured during 9-on-7 work; he was able to walk off the field on his own power.

At the close, the players did about six sprints, which is the most we can recall seeing them run this camp.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 8:31 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Evening attendance

The Patriots have started their "special" practice inside Gillette, and there are several players missing who haven't been missing before:

LB Pierre Woods
DB Artrell Hawkins
DL Jarvis Green
WR Kelley Washington

As well as some who have been:

TE Kyle Brady
WR Randy Moss
WR Troy Brown
WR Chad Jackson
WR Donte Stallworth
CB Eddie Jackson
DL Richard Seymour
CB Asante Samuel

Though Stallworth was taken off the PUP earlier today, the medical and coaching staffs may be exercising caution with him.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 7:11 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Stallworth officially off PUP; Q. Hill released

The Patriots have just made it official: receiver Donte Stallworth has been activated off the physically unable to perform list. The announcement was basically a formality, as Stallworth's participation in a full pads practice signaled that he was good to go.

Also the team has released running back Quadtrine Hill. Hill was signed to the practice squad in January.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 2:17 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Photos: Scenes from Monday training camp

Journal photos / Bob Breidenbach
Above, rookie safety Brandon Meriweather gets instructions from secondary coach Joel Collier. Above, Tom Brady meets the media after the morning practice session at Gillette Stadium.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 1:48 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Practice observations

Today's first session -- the 14th of training camp -- is on the books, held inside an empty Gillette. Bob Kraft took in some of the practice, sans his usual Patriots' cap. Here are some of the things we noticed:

It would appear that the competition for right tackle is now a three-man race, as today former practice squadder Wesley Britt saw some time with the ones along with Ryan O'Callaghan.

At other times, with Matt Cassel under center, O'Callaghan was at right tackle and Nick Kaczur was opposite him at left tackle.

If there are now three players in the mix, this is now the most interesting competition of camp.

Donte Stallworth had an active role in the practice, catching a pass from Tom Brady in 11-on-11 work. After the practice, Stallworth said he was really anxious to get back on the field and has been reminded by the team to be cautious.

Adalius Thomas bowled over Sammy Morris in 11-on-11 work; Jabar Gaffney had a nice touchdown grab in red-zone work.

One interesting thing of note was that Cassel was the holder when Stephen Gostkowski was doing live kicks. Josh Miller had been the holder for Gostkowski before he got hurt last season, but with three punters in camp and another (Mitch Berger) getting a try-out on Friday, it isn't looking like this is Miller's job to lose. Danny Baugher, who had a good spring in NFL Europa and was named to the All-League team after averaging 43.4 yards per attempt for the Rhein Fire, has continued his booming kicks here.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 11:42 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Morning attendance

Hey all --

Good morning from quiet Gillette Stadium, where the players are on the field and we are in the press box.

As expected after two straight walk-throughs, this promises to be a more physical practice, with players in full pads.

And with the heavy artillery on, the attendance has once again dipped: not spotted are Chad Jackson, Eddie Jackson, Rashad Baker, Troy Brown, Randy Moss, David Thomas, Kyle Brady or Richard Seymour. And of course Asante Samuel.

Donte Stallworth is out there, in full pads. Still no official announcement that he's off the PUP, however.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 8:46 AM | Permalink | Comments 0