Perillo afternoon practice notes: Brown returns, Light and Watson miss

[pats1]

http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=20155&pcid=44

7/28/06
Training camp: Afternoon notes
By Paul Perillo, Patriots Football Weekly

After a solid opening to training camp in the morning, the Patriots weren’t nearly as crisp in their afternoon work, which featured the players in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts.

Head Coach Bill Belichick expressed his displeasure periodically during the practice, once ordering the entire offense to run a lap midway through a team period, and then finishing things with some conditioning run. Once that was over, the coach ordered several individuals to do some additional sprints. Belichick then convened the entire team for a lengthy chat before dismissing the players.

The practice was quite ragged, particularly in the passing game. Right from the start during drills several passes fell to the turf with most of the receivers having trouble holding onto the ball. At one point, receivers coach Brian Daboll didn’t even throw a pass to Reche Caldwell because the receiver failed to run the proper route

When the team period began later, things didn’t get much different for the offense. Receivers continued struggling catching passes and getting open and the quarterbacks had trouble getting on the same page with their targets.

All of this seemed to exclude Troy Brown. With Brown, Deion Branch and rookie Chad Jackson all missing the opening practice of training camp, Caldwell was the best Patriots receiver on the field during the morning workout. His reign at the top lasted a little more than four hours.

...

One of the notes at the end caught my eye:

...

Several players worked on returning kicks before practice while catching balls out of the machine. Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk, Hobbs, Willie Andrews, Matt Shelton and Stone all worked on catching the kicks with one hand while holding onto another football in the other. After several reps they switched it up by tossing the ball in the air while they caught the kick and then catching the second one as well. … Faulk was back fielding punts later in practice when rookie linebacker Pierre Woods departed from NFL protocol by burying him with a heavy hit during the non-contact drill. Making matters worse, Faulk was waving his hand over his head signaling for a fair catch.

...

 

[VJCPatriot]

LOL, looks like Woods needs to curb his enthusiasm and learn what a fair catch is. That will draw a penalty flag every time in the pros.

 

[Murphys95]

Thanks Pats1.

Faulk at PR is no surprise really. He has the experience. I think it will be interesting to see how this spot evolves though, especially during the preseason games. Fortunately after only two practices we can make no assumptions.

I'm very interested in seeing how Willie Andrews progresses and if indeed he ends up competing for this job.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

LOL, looks like Woods needs to curb his enthusiasm and learn what a fair catch is. That will draw a penalty flag every time in the pros.

Unless, of course, you play for the Dolts or the Broncos. :enranged:

 

[flutie2phelan]

Unless, of course, you play for the Dolts or the Broncos. :enranged:

Did u have to remind us? :-(

I think of Brady in his pressconf today ... asked whether he's ever seen Ben Watson
greater than in "that play in a playoff game" ... "WHAT play; i don't remember that play!"

Next you know, someone will be reminiscing about the OFFENSIVE PI ... called the other way!

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

Maybe this should be in its own thread, but Faulk returning punts is a nightmare given his propensity for coughing up the big one. Him being the number one PR would just about ruin every game as we'd have to cover our eyes or leave the room five times a game when the opposition punts. Please, no.......

 

[flutie2phelan]

Maybe this should be in its own thread, but Faulk returning punts is a nightmare given his propensity for coughing up the big one. Him being the number one PR would just about ruin every game as we'd have to cover our eyes or leave the room five times a game when the opposition punts. Please, no.......

PR is going to become more important this season than ever.
Patriots are going to be forcing A LOT OF punts!

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Play of the practice: Musinski, a first-year receiver out of William & Mary who spent time in Patriots camp last year, made a terrific move to beat Ellis Hobbs with a stutter step stop and go route. Musinski beat Hobbs badly on the play despite some obvious clutching and grabbing and made the catch deep down the right sideline. Hobbs showed his frustration by knocking the ball out of Musinski’s hands well after the play was over.

The article below is about Maroney, but they have a pic of Musinski & Hobbs mixing it up.

http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060730/NEWS/607300810/1009