:

After the first few minutes of practice, Brady and nearly all of the first team offensive players retreated to the lower practice fields

Van Noy and McClellin will probably be asked to fill in at times as edge rushers (Hightower as well) so the team may opt for an extra linebacker.

Anytime you put two competitors who hate to lose up against each other on the field, it shouldn’t be a surprise when tempers flare, and that’s exactly what happened Tuesday on the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium.

Julian Edelman and Stephon Gilmore got into it a bit at the end of practice. As per the Patriots usual M.O. both players were sent to the locker room.