{"id":12146,"date":"2017-07-30T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-07-30T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=12146"},"modified":"2017-07-29T20:41:14","modified_gmt":"2017-07-30T00:41:14","slug":"new-england-patriots-news-7-30-afc-east-notes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2017\/07\/30\/new-england-patriots-news-7-30-afc-east-notes\/","title":{"rendered":"New England Patriots News 7-30, AFC East Notes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good morning, here are your <\/span>Sunday\u2019s Patriots news 7-30, & AFC East Notes.<\/b><\/p>\n

With three days of camp in the books, the Patriots 2017 season is underway. The crowds have been huge at the Gillette practice fields, with the spillover from the crowds being funneled to the walkways of Gillette Stadium that overlook the practice fields. It might be time for Robert Kraft and the team to invest in more rows of bleachers that overlook the practice field on the side closest to the indoor practice bubble. <\/span><\/p>\n

The current bleachers are stressed to the max every day and there still remains joint practices with the Jaguars upcoming. Those practice sessions are always very well attended and if the first three dates of 2017 are any indication, then they should look into expanding those bleachers farther back and adding extra rows.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Congratulations…It is About Time for Raymond Clayborn:<\/b>
\n<\/span>The Patriots Hall of Fame got its 26th member, and he wore #26 for the team. He\u2019s been well-deserving for a long, long time and on Saturday, that wrong was righted as he was fitted with the red jacket and became a member of the team\u2019s Hall.\u00a0<\/span>From the Patriots.com website:<\/span><\/p>\n

Drafted by the Patriots in the first round (16th overall) out of the University of Texas in 1977, Clayborn eventually became one of the game\u2019s best at the position, earning three Pro Bowl honors (1983, \u201885, and \u201886). A native of Fort Worth, Texas, he went on to set a franchise record with 36 career interceptions, a milestone which fellow Patriots Hall inductee Ty Law tied equaled in 2004. Clayborn also excelled as a kickoff returner during his 13-year Patriots career, something Patriots owner Robert Kraft touched upon during his introductory remarks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kraft recalled watching from the stands of what was then called Schaefer Stadium as Clayborn returned three kickoffs for touchdowns in his rookie season.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe that was 40 years ago, especially since I still think I\u2019m 35,\u201d the owner joked.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cTo the fans who voted for me,\u201d Clayborn said, \u201cI\u2019ve always said Patriots fans are the best fans in the world. Y\u2019all were able to finally able to make this happen. The fourth time was a charm!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo Mr. Kraft and Coach Belichick, boy, I wish I could\u2019ve played for the both of you. I would\u2019ve won at least a couple of championship rings!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Getting to Know UDFA TE Jacob Hollister:<\/b>
\n<\/b>The Patriots made a splash in free agency by signing twin brothers Cody and Jacob Hollister. Cody was a wide receiver from Arkansas and Jacob was a tight end from Wyoming. Jacob is more of a move tight end than a traditional inline tight end in the Rob Gronkowski, Dwayne Allen mold. He\u2019s a project, a bit raw and needs to work on his blocking skills but as a receiver, he\u2019s a very intriguing player.<\/span><\/p>\n

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TE Jacob Hollister is an intriguing prospect as a “Move” tight end for the Patriots in 2017. (SBalestrieri photo)<\/p><\/div>\n

The 6\u20194, 240-pound TE was signed for a guaranteed $90,000 so it shows the Patriots have hopes that he can make the roster. Wyoming moved him out of the slot, put him in the backfield as well as split out wide. He was a big play producer in 2016, targeted on pass plays of 20-yards or more downfield, he caught seven of eleven attempts for 189 yards.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the conclusion of Saturday\u2019s practice, we asked if we could sit down with Hollister for a few moments. He\u2019s a very personable young player and here are a few excerpts from our conversation yesterday.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are your first impressions of your first NFL Training Camp?<\/b> \u201c<\/span>It\u2019s going great,\u201d <\/span><\/i>he said. <\/span>\u201cI\u2019m just trying to learn and get better every day and trying to improve on the little things, it is going great and has been a great experience.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

How are things going with the Patriots playbook which has a reputation for being hard to learn?<\/b> (laughs), <\/span>\u201cI wouldn\u2019t know about that, it is definitely a lot more than college. But it is a process, I feel like that you just have to pay attention to the details and take it day by day and let the everything play itself out.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Where he was used as a bit of a deep threat in the Wyoming passing game could he see himself in a similar situation here we followed up with. <\/span>\u201cAh yeah, right now I\u2019m just trying to learn the playbook and play the way they want me to. I\u2019m still in the learning phase of things and trying to hit on all the little things.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

We have noticed that you\u2019re getting a lot of reps (with the first unit) on Special Teams. Is this something that you did a lot of in college? <\/b>\u201c<\/span>No, I didn\u2019t do a lot of it in college at all. They kept me strictly with the offense, especially since I was getting so many reps. But I love playing special teams and look forward to really playing a lot of them here. <\/span><\/i>He added, \u201c<\/span>it has been really fun, I\u2019ve been working with guys that have been doing that for a while. And again, it is a learning experience.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

What are your impressions about the fan turnout here so far: <\/b>\u201cIt is unbelievable. The atmosphere here at training camp is just awesome. This is like a game up in Wyoming. It has been really fun, the fans create this energy that carries over to the entire team. It has been really cool.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

As a rookie, you work with seasoned vets like Rob Gronkowski and Dwayne Allen. How have they been as a sounding board to you during your time here thus far? <\/b>\u201cOh it couldn\u2019t be any better. Those guys are great. We\u2019ve been picking their brains and asking questions here and there about all the little things. And really just watching them, is what I\u2019ve done a lot of. Watching how they handle situations and approach everything has been a great learning experience.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

David Harris Shows Early Signs of Being a Steal:<\/b>
\n<\/span>When the Jets cut loose linebacker David Harris about a month ago, it raised some eyebrows especially among the Jets faithful as he\u2019d always been a stalwart performer in the middle of the defense for a decade, a tremendous teammate and a steady veteran presence as a guy who always answered the bell. But there were also thoughts that he\u2019d lost a step and may not be the player he was before.<\/span><\/p>\n