Patriots Notes

The Patriots made a couple more transactions today after the Le Kevin Smith trade I talked about in the previous post. Coming aboard is RB/FB Chris Taylor formally of the Texans. As you readers know from the 'Position Battles: Running Backs' post last night, he faces stiff competition to make the final roster. The corresponding roster move was the waiving of CB Mike Richardson, the team's sixth round pick in 2007.

I had nothing to do today, so I went to training camp again. This is what I observed:

-Julian Edelman, the rookie seventh round pick who returned a punt 75-yards for a TD and caught five passes on Thursday, was working at one point during the practice taking snaps in the 'Wildcat' formation (for those of you not familiar with the 'Wildcat' formation click here, and recall how the Miami Dolphins killed us with it last season). He also was taking first snaps on punt returns, and lining up in the slot wide receiver position. This kid is everywhere on the field after playing mostly QB at Kent State. Interesting to see working with him in the backfield of the 'Wildcat' formation were Laurence Maroney and Fred Taylor. The Pats appear to be high on their late-round pick.
-Brady and Moss have such a great chemistry. When Tom isn't hitting Moss during passing drills, the two were throwing the ball with each other and talking. They are going to a scary combo much like '07.
-Joey Galloway looked good and was a target Brady looked to quite often in 7 on 7 and 11 on 11 drills. With Welker absent from practice (as he was yesterday too), Galloway was hauling in quite a few balls and will play a more prominent role than Jabar Gaffney did last year.
-Ben Watson did not practice again, and he really needs to get out there. Chris Baker ran with the first unit and David Thomas with the second (Alex Smith was absent but was practicing yesterday). Look for a TE position battle coming shortly.
-Both long-snappers were on the field today: Nathan Hodel the vet and Jake Ingram the rook. Yesterday it was only Ingram. I honestly couldn't really tell a difference when they were snapping during punting drills.
-The lineman (offensive and defensive) practice on the far field typically because the fans obviously want to see the skill position players. They only really come over for 11 on 11 drills, so I really couldn't get a good look at the defensive line rotation. From what I could tell it appeared Derrick Burgess was playing with his hand down as an end, and that Seymour was kicking inside to tackle (which he typically does on third downs). The offensive line was its normal self with Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, and Kazcur upfront.
-Cornerback appeared to be an interesting rotation. Leigh Bodden was out there early and most often, but it wasn't always Shawn Springs on the other side; \rookie Darius Butler was getting looks there too. They appear high on last year's fourth round pick Jonathan Wilhite. He was playing exclusively as the team's nickle back (third cornerback). Interestingly for the second straight day Wilhite was wearing the red non-contact jersey. Last year's second round CB Terrance Wheatley subbed in for Bodden and got burnt on consecutive plays.
-Kelley Washington probably most well-known for exhibiting great punt coverage as one of the teams 'gunners is gone. It appears taking his spot is Greg Lewis acquired via trade from the Eagles.
-Tank Williams, who was in the midst of making the transition from saftey to linebacker last year before he was put on IR in the preseason, continues his work at the middle linebacker spot. He displayed good coverage on tight ends in drills and could prove to be a valuable third-down player if he stays healthy and stays in favor of the staff.
-The Patriots play the Bengals on Thursday night at home in the second tune-up game of the season.