Wednesday's New England Patriots Links - 8/1
Another busy day on Tuesday as the Patriots returned to action for another practice that featured some terrific one-on-one match-ups. Links to all the full reports can be found at the bottom of this entry.
Otherwise, here's a quick rundown of this morning's links:
BOSTON HERALD
Sackful of Hope for new-name 'D' - Karen Guregian
Guregian has a good article this morning on the defense, and writes that making quarterbacks miserable on a more consistent basis has to be a priority this season.
Brandon Spikes turns up volume - Jeff Howe
Howe looks at the return of Brandon Spikes, who participated in live drills for the first time in training camp on Tuesday.
NOTEBOOK: Spencer Larson found his mission in life - Jeff Howe
Howe files his "notebook" for this morning, which leads off on a good note on Spencer Larson, with the fullback talking about his experience where he served on a Mormon mission in Chile from 2003-05.
Ron Brace happy to get back on field - Mark Daniels
Daniels looks at the solid start from defensive lineman Ron Brace, and writes that Brace's disappointing 2011 season where he started and ended on the inactive list was a wake up call for the veteran.
ESPN BOSTON
Talkin' bout practice - and loving it - Mike Reiss
Reiss has a great story talking about the turnout the team has received from fans since camp opened. He points out that twenty years ago, one of the team's final home games of the season drew a crowd of 19,429 and that for last Thursday's opening of 2012 training camp, the team announced a single-session crowd of 12,163.
BOSTON GLOBE:
Patriots' Josh Barrett staying healthy at camp - Alex Prewitt
Prewitt has an article on Patriots safety Josh Barrett, who told him that so far he's "feeling good" so far and is just trying to work hard each day to get ready for the season.
Jonathan Fanene adds girth to Patriots' defensive line - Shalise Manza Young
Manza Young has an article on defensive lineman Jonathan Fanene, with the 30-year old adding versatility to New England's defense.
Patriots' Brandon Spikes happy to be back on field - Shalise Manza Young
Manza Young has an article on the return of Brandon Spikes, and writes that when he's in the middle of the field for the Patriots, his reputation as a "thumper" grows.
WORCESTER TELEGRAM
NOTES: Bulman has developed a plan for after gridiron days - Jennifer Toland
Toland files her "notes" column for this morning, which leads off with Tim Bulman, who has a plan in place for life after football. According to Toland he and his brother Andy are the cofounders of Incremental Development, a Boston-based commercial real-estate acquisition company.
Ron Brace makes his case for D-Line Time - Jennifer Toland
Toland has an article on Brace, who she writes is healthy and confident heading into this season.
WEEI
Great Scott: Versatile Defender Could Help Boost Patriots Pass Rush in 2012 - Christopher Price
Price has an article this morning on Trevor Scott, who provides head coach Bill Belichick with one key thing that everyone knows is a big asset: versatility.
CSNNE
Chung enjoying playing mentor role - Tom Curran
Curran has an article on safety Patrick Chung, who he writes has gone very quickly from new guy to elder statesman in the Patriots secondary.
MassLive.com
Former Giants great Carl Banks to lend a hand at Patriots training camp - Nick Underhill
Underhill has a quick note on the fact that former Giants linebacker Carl Banks was on the practice fields helping out his former coach, Bill Belichick, who played in his defense back when Belichick was a coach with the Giants.
TRAINING CAMP REPORTS
Camp Observations - Day 6 - Field Yates - ESPN Boston
Yates has a great report which features highlights from the "one-on-one" drills between the receivers and defensive backs. One interesting notes continues to be the strong camp from Julian Edelman, who once again showed great footwork beating defenders both at the line, and at the top of his routes.
Postcards from Camp: Day 5 - Tom Curran - CSNNE
Curran has his report from Tuesday's session and notes that Jermaine Cunningham continues to have a good camp, looking solid off the edge especially against the run.
Patriots Hold Third Day of Practice With Pads - Greg Bedard - Boston Globe
Bedard files his practice report and notes that he was pleased to see Brandon Spikes on the field at the same time as Jerod Mayo and first-round pick Dont’a Hightower and feels if they can stay healthy, "that’s going to be a formidable group".
Bed Check: Wrapping Up Day 6 - Mike Reiss - ESPN BOSTON
Reiss has another entry focusing on today's practice and details the battle between Chandler Jones and Nate Solder, which so far has been one of the more entertaining match-ups of training camp.
From the Hart: Tuesday Practice Observations - Andy Hart - Patriots.com
Hart has some good observations from Tuesday's session, inlcuding a note on Ras-I Dowling who Hart writes got pretty physical with Lloyd on one play, with Lloyd unable to make the catch.
Patriots Training Camp: What Stood Out on Tuesday - NEPatriotsDraft.com
Our Friends over at NEPatriotsDraft.com file a solid report from Tuesday's session, and noted that Chandler Jones and Jermaine Cunningham really stand out in pass rush drills.
Patriots Training Camp notes: Day 5 - Staff Report - CSNNE
The folks at CSNNE file their own camp report with some interesting notes, although it leads off with a funny typo:
*Visanthe Shiancoe wore just a t-shirt and shorts Tuesday -- official uniform of those not practicing. It's his first pissed practice. Same for Tony Fiammetta.
His first "pissed" practice...too funny. But again, some good stuff in this one as well so be sure and check it out.
Dont'a Hightower Steps Up, Brandon Spikes Progresses in Patriots 5th Practice - Boston Herald
Another great entry from Tuesday with a note pointing out the fact that at one point, linebacker Dont’a Hightower was called in to line up wide on Aaron Hernandez and that Hightower "looks OK in man coverage and hits the line hard when asked".
