Training Camp Questions

[EJ Blitz]

Do any of you go to watch training camp?

I've never been to Gillette stadium or seen any live action in front of me. Since I live like an hour and half away I was thinking of going up one day this summer just to take a look at everyone. From your past experiences, what would be a good day to go? Is it crowded/bad parking? Any fees?

 

[VinnyPatrollie]

Re: Do any of you go to watch training camp?

I've never been to Gillette stadium or seen any live action in front of me. Since I live like an hour and half away I was thinking of going up one day this summer just to take a look at everyone. From your past experiences, what would be a good day to go? Is it crowded/bad parking? Any fees?

It's free to go and park. It can be very crowded though, so it's good to get there early. It's fun to watch, although you don't get a lot of game-like action. I usually wait towards the end of training camp when they bring another team to play against.

 

[Pats0204]

Re: Do any of you go to watch training camp?

I've never been to Gillette stadium or seen any live action in front of me. Since I live like an hour and half away I was thinking of going up one day this summer just to take a look at everyone. From your past experiences, what would be a good day to go? Is it crowded/bad parking? Any fees?

I went for the 1st time last year with my 5 year old son and both of us absolutely loved it! Great atmosphere. Yes, it is free to get in and parking is also free. It's not just the training cam piece that was interesting and fun. I mean, for me, that was the best part but they also usually have the NFL experience where kids can kick field goals, throw passes. There's bounce houses and all sorts of other attractions for kids. You can also visit The Hall at Patriot Place and the pro shop. I will definitely go every year from here on out. The above poster is right in that it is really crowded but again, I loved it.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Re: Do any of you go to watch training camp?

As far as those who attend/attended in the past,Mrs. B did a wonderful job reporting on all activity for so many years until her life got a bit too busy to do it anymore....they were must read posts everyone enjoyed each week

......SignBabyBrady is our best reporter now IMO and I believe he still goes to the camp

 

[signbabybrady]

Re: Do any of you go to watch training camp?

As far as those who attend/attended in the past,Mrs. B did a wonderful job reporting on all activity for so many years until her life got a bit too busy to do it anymore....they were must read posts everyone enjoyed each week

......SignBabyBrady is our best reporter now IMO and I believe he still goes to the camp

Wow thanks for the shout out. I will be back for sure.

My football obsession makes my opinion bias. But the simplest and best part is just getting a real close look at the players, at times when in pads the action can be real good too but while they have a regular routine nothing is scheduled as padded so you will need to come here to get agood idea on if they will be in pads .

Pats0204 broke down the experience pretty good. One thing he left was at the end if each practice one position group will sign autographs. No guarantees you get one as the crowds are big but the players are really accommodating especially for the kids.

 

[Jackson 2]

Re: Do any of you go to watch training camp?

I've never been to Gillette stadium or seen any live action in front of me. Since I live like an hour and half away I was thinking of going up one day this summer just to take a look at everyone. From your past experiences, what would be a good day to go? Is it crowded/bad parking? Any fees?

I live about 35 minutes away, so I can go pretty often. I find it very enjoyable. One hint: on Saturdays and Sundays the crowds can be so large that both the hillside and grandstands can fill up early and once that has happened, there's no place to sit or even stand to see the action.

 

[Avenger]

Re: Do any of you go to watch training camp?

It was awesome, I went last year when they practiced with the Saints. I got autographs from Mallet and Vereen

 

[Chopblock CB]

Re: Do any of you go to watch training camp?

I go once at the beginning of TC and then wait for the in stadium..season ticket holder practice. I used to go 10 times a year but it gets monotonously boring after about the second time. But ya..wicked crowded and usually HOT as hell.

 

[FlyboyPatsFan]

Re: Do any of you go to watch training camp?

I've never been to Gillette stadium or seen any live action in front of me. Since I live like an hour and half away I was thinking of going up one day this summer just to take a look at everyone. From your past experiences, what would be a good day to go? Is it crowded/bad parking? Any fees?

I've been going every year since 2009. I travel about an hour and 40 minutes one way and I think its worth it.

Here is a video I posted some time ago from a typical camp day.

Patriots Camp Aug 16, 2012 - YouTube

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Re: Do any of you go to watch training camp?

i use to go all the time...now i don't bother with the crowds and just go to more home games instead

 

[Joker]

Re: Do any of you go to watch training camp?

I used to love Bryant...now THAT was a training camp...Gillette is more of a showcase. I go two or three times before preseason just to meet up with old friends but, like last year for instance, it got crowded early and boring fast. I'd like to see the closed practices but that will never happen so I think this season I'll go once to take some pics and then hit the preseason games to watch the rooks.

 

[DarrylS]

Re: Do any of you go to watch training camp?

I have been attending since the days of John Hannah, and even though Bryant was more intimate, Gillette can be a good show, but get there early and bring binoculars..

 

[dannydyn]

Re: Do any of you go to watch training camp?

Any particular days of the camp are better than others?

 

[patfanken]

Re: Do any of you go to watch training camp?

Any particular days of the camp are better than others?

I go to about 5 or 6 every year. It used to be better before the new CBA, when you had the option of going to one of the several 2 a days, that no longer exist and there were MANY more padded practices. The ultimate choice is when/if they practice against another team. The level of intensity of the competition is at its highest during those practices.

Its your best chance at seeing players up close. Getting to watch them close up in one on one, group, and team competition. The team does a great job in making the experience as interesting and interactive as possible. Its even better for the kids....and it's FREE.

On the negative side, those who remember Bryant College will notice that its not nearly as intimate. Back then you were really right next to the action. Although then you only had to compete against a few hundred fans for space. Now 5-6 thousand is routine, and occasional practices with 10-12 thousand are no longer exceptional. Binoculars greatly enhances the experience.

See you there

 

[dannydyn]

Re: Do any of you go to watch training camp?

I go to about 5 or 6 every year. It used to be better before the new CBA, when you had the option of going to one of the several 2 a days, that no longer exist and there were MANY more padded practices. The ultimate choice is when/if they practice against another team. The level of intensity of the competition is at its highest during those practices.

Its your best chance at seeing players up close. Getting to watch them close up in one on one, group, and team competition. The team does a great job in making the experience as interesting and interactive as possible. Its even better for the kids....and it's FREE.

On the negative side, those who remember Bryant College will notice that its not nearly as intimate. Back then you were really right next to the action. Although then you only had to compete against a few hundred fans for space. Now 5-6 thousand is routine, and occasional practices with 10-12 thousand are no longer exceptional. Binoculars greatly enhances the experience.

See you there

Thanks for the info

 

[doesntmatter1]

Re: Do any of you go to watch training camp?

I went back in 07. It was great and as others have mentioned, signbabybrady is extremely accurate in his reports(better than mike reiss). I remember watching randy moss pull his hamstring on a deep pass and then it became a mystery as to why randy wasn't out there the following days but me and everyone else that attended knew why. It felt like I had inside info lol.

Lastly i am cheap and you can't pass up a free viewing of the pats. So if you are in the area, you must go at least once. If you don't enjoy it, at least you can get an autograph out of it. It's a win/win.

 

[patriot lifer]

Re: Do any of you go to watch training camp?

I visit TC because it's so close by. I used to live in Mansfield 15 minutes away, so I didn't mind.

It's a novelty to go. You can make a day out of it if you go there. There's some shopping and food nearby. You don't get anything out of it that you can't already get here with the camp reports. If you don't mind the heat, and crowded seating, then you should be fine.

You can get a general feel for how players are performing. Guys like Welker would look sharp and catch everything. Guys like OchoStinko would miss catches and struggle more in coverages. But it can be hard to pick up on the smaller things when you haven't been to camp. It takes a few practices to start to see everything (and know everyone's numbers (all 90 of them)).

Towards the end of practices, they typically do the team drills. These are some of the funnest to watch. But don't go in expecting too much. Just sit back and relax and watch the millionaires work...and BB spin his whistle.

 

[ForThoseAboutToRock]

Re: Do any of you go to watch training camp?

I went last year for the first time. It's a cool experience to take in, having never been on a football team and therefore not knowing how practices work.

There's lots of stuff to take in - I'd recommend binoculars or a good zoom lens for your camera if you have a particular interest in watching one group over another. There are two practice fields parallel to one another, so you don't get much of a view of the one further away if you're in the bleachers (Note that they must have rearranged things from the Google Maps overhead image, which has the fields rotated 90' from what I'm describing.)

I didn't think the crowd was too bad when we got there - I think we were a little late for the start, but there was still ample space. There was nothing particularly interesting about the practice we went to (not a co-practice or anything). In the bleachers you end up with what would be an incredible seat in Gillette Stadium. Depending on the spacing of the drills, you may have a group of guys end up working a couple dozen feet from you.

The offensive linemen came right up to the crowd at the end of practice and signed autographs - I got the impression you could easily snag one or two, and you could get more if you hustled (my friend's son scored like 10). I've heard there's a particular schedule for when TB12 signs - if that's what you've got your heart set on, you'll need to be particular.

I was personally very interested at the time in watching Brandon Lloyd (hoped to hell he'd have a great season) and Logan Mankins (who was suiting up for light participation despite the whole playing a season on a torn ACL thing). I think Gronk sat out the one I went to with his bum ankle.

 

[Avenger]

Re: Do any of you go to watch training camp?

When I was there the TEs were doing a blocking drill in front of us and Gronk jacked up the sled with such dominance that everybody went crazy.

 

[BadMoFo]

Re: Do any of you go to watch training camp?

I haven't been there since 09. It's a great time just being there, but like others have said, it can get boring quickly.