Reiss 7/27 AM notes

[pats1]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/

Observations from 6th practice
Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff
July 27, 2008 12:45 PM

FOXBOROUGH – Five observations from the Patriots’ sixth training camp practice, which was held this morning in pads on the upper practice fields behind Gillette Stadium:

1) Red-zone in focus. The Patriots spent a good portion of practice in the red zone. Last season, this was an inconsistent area for the team’s defense, so this was a chance to begin building a foundation inside the 20-yard line. Offensively, one play that stood out was a touchdown strike from Matt Cassel to tight end David Thomas over the middle (Jerod Mayo was the closest defender to Thomas). Defensively, linebacker Tedy Bruschi drew “Bruuuus!” from the crowd after deflecting a pass away from intended receiver Ray Ventrone. Safety Brandon Meriweather, on the other hand, was kicking himself after failing to knock away a floating pass to Jabar Gaffney – from Matt Gutierrez – in the back of the end zone that went for a touchdown. Cornerback Terrence Wheatley was also in the area on the play.

2) Terrence Wheatley gets an opportunity. With cornerback Jason Webster not at practice, that elevated second-round pick Terrence Wheatley to the first-unit defense opposite of fellow cornerback Fernando Bryant. Jonathan Wilhite then moved into the slot role. Wheatley seems to be competitive, as one can’t see a noticeable drop-off when he’s on the field. “You just try to make the most of your opportunity running with the 1s,” Wheatley said after practice. “You have to be able to go out there and show what you got – that’s the mentality you have to have. You want to prove to your peers that you can play.”

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