Camp-Cast - 08/05/2008

[3:46] ..." news I a you know of the day was the return of Mike Vrabel yes who had spent the camp to this point on TUP. What has he turned it old age and was the reason"...

[5:25] ..." only the second practice that he hasn't been -- catcher. Kelley Washington Jason Webster continues to be sidelined with an unknown injury. In July 27 he has not practiced. Jonathan Wilhite who was banged up a"...

[6:00] ..." Matt Light. And obviously the four players still on UP Stephen Neal Oliver Ross Jarvis Green my right. The big news obviously. As a returner Vrabel. He can make him some of the group with that"...

[8:52] ..." keep an eye on for Thursday night music you know and now Larry Izzo maintained his bottom a lot of -- we talked a lot of ball. You know it's his roster spot tenuous at this"...

[10:28] ..." dead I think that might be a little more interest in what Mike Vrabel. "...

[13:58] ..." I that was Mike Vrabel shortly after practice today. Again I don't think it was anything. I know he was trying to make a joke about in"...

[0:10]" Is it podcast from Patriots dot com kind of worked our way into the area. You know game preparations this is -- transitional state forest you know we're really have a focus and you know such that on Thursday against the Ravens Patriots podcast slide from Gillette Stadium in Foxboro now with Wimbledon and so children for them at once yeah. Now we're we want it now with your Patriots 2008 training camp update the leaders of Patriot football weekly's."

[0:41]" Tuesday out if there at Gillette Stadium in our last training camp I cast the fourth pre season opener on Thursday against Baltimore area -- venal. Paul -- here with you. In -- palatial radio studios Bill Belichick. Dropping a bombshell and the earlier press conference today roared our headline -- absolutely he told us what the headline was and we complied there will be no use of the defensive communication system. Against the Ravens team I'm not too much of a surprise and aren't. That that was his decision but a little bit of a surprise that he cannot set it yeah and he had formulated to which which was nice but. And basically if you been listening and paying attention at all the last. Weaker so he periodically been asked about questions about how it's gonna work who's going to do it who's -- used via the special helmet. He's made no secret made no real made no bones about it he's not a fan not a big fan now that's and you know what. It's. You know you have to kind of think back to last season and all that transpired in you know maybe he's. You know maybe just more comfortable just go in the old fashioned way and I -- saddling him because especially when. There could be so much potential. Byrd and things go wrong yeah I think guys being on the field it's a complicated I think on the way to sort of up we talked about it a little bit. On PFW progress and we don't need to get into it too far in depth by. I think it made something that's very simple. Awfully hard. Limiting it to people the league you're saying yeah it's a week you know -- limited to two people that have the ability to have the helmets only want to be on the field game time. So that means that the one guy leaves in the back of guys are in the field he's going to come off the field getting -- come back on but it it's more trouble and it's what life with Phil's. -- on the whole thing yeah the old fashioned way to -- and equities here at this point and it you know opening. Broke don't fix -- I think that's bill's approach is going to be there and implement that while there -- and a lot of activity on the practice field the afternoon. But not necessarily. -- a lot of stuff to evaluate it was as you put it Erica. A walk through in pads. For about an hour and a half. Not at just no one really going full -- a lot of half speed stuff. Lotta special teams lot of work offensively and defensively. What the other at the opposing side periodic be going off cards and presumably. Two -- and Baltimore stuff right. Final preparations which bill also alluded to in the open and for the Ravens game on Thursday night but not a whole lot to really evaluate right."

[3:22]" I think like you pointed out and bill pointed out. It as much preparation as they can do for -- Pre season opening game they have to do some and it. Probably the reason why they were in full pads and only going half speed was because there are implementing a lot of the Ravens stuff on the scout teams and and you really can't have them flying full speed because they're just sort of giving him the -- offense of the the other side a look. Really so."

[3:46]" And in the big news I a you know of the day was the return of Mike Vrabel yes who had spent the camp to this point on TUP. What has he turned it old age and was the reason he was on PP he didn't really want to get into an -- The specifics of whatever injury it wasn't as apparent got a lot of stand the oh. No surprise at all there will hear more from from -- later on in the -- task has he did speak to the media after. After practice but there's at another sizable list of players that weren't available. First and foremost Tom Brady."

[4:20]" That was a little bit of surprise to us he was if he was -- Angels talk the talk with the media today so when he didn't come out with a well maybe he'll. He'll come endurance stretching you know sometimes players are getting extra work a forehand whatever but. Never materialized number twelve never came out and where at a loss as to -- but."

[4:38]" No and no no explanation was given I'm assuming it's just -- you know continuing the maintenance and I'd also say in reading the tea leaves in the totals speculation bill didn't say anything no players at anything but I would guess that. You know the tour the last practices that they that he didn't practice at all -- don't they were going to see him Thursday night and if they're working on Sunday Monday Tuesday here. On Baltimore. And he's not out there for a couple of those practices I -- together is probably not going to play. Yeah I'd agree with and you know it's probably good call the first pre season game you have four quarterbacks on the roster at the one you know was going to be the start of the franchise you know related to see anything from them. You really need to see a lot from those other three guys and I think that's. That's what the plan is -- I just running down real quickly as a way of about twelve guys here on Brady was out. Randy Moss was also allow which I think is only the second practice that he hasn't been -- catcher. Kelley Washington Jason Webster continues to be sidelined with an unknown injury. In July 27 he has not practiced. Jonathan Wilhite who was banged up a little bit last night in the in stadiums and ticket holder practice. Looked like -- Indy says it maybe in apparently injuries upon hamstring on or he was not altered it anymore who also missed -- to yesterday's work. Mike Richardson nine -- at first that I can remember might not being being on the field. James Sanders been off for awhile Rodney Harrison Kyle tackle Ryan Callahan Matt Light. And obviously the four players still on UP Stephen Neal Oliver Ross Jarvis Green my right. The big news obviously. As a returner Vrabel. He can make him some of the group with that the acting group on and it you know as normal outside linebacker spot. -- Dylan Thomas and here woods maintain their spot with the first group my for the most part. Interestingly I thought promised them the group that I I can't -- when he was with Vince read. Which told me that perhaps Redd is a little bit ahead of Shawn Crable the rookie third round pick yeah and that's a little bit surprising seeing how Redd missed some time and Crable has been at every practice. So we had more an opportunity maybe to make an impression but apparently -- has made more an impression in fewer opportunities again. So and I would even say Eric going a step further that today Redd was on the right side the defensive right -- so via. -- Thomas normally lines -- that but that's -- Crable. Has been lineup right so even if you say well. He he just -- going back to have Crable spot but spot but Crable played. Now Crable went to the other side right. On the wrong I didn't generally and and and and it was -- took the spot of Crable -- taken on him like that label."

[7:20]" yeah -- that that's a good observation -- too because you know obviously Mike. Mike Reynolds not someone that they need to deal out from the -- you know we know -- out of him but. For the those two rookies running Crable that's that that's big for them to make an impression and -- just to see how read performs. And Crable obviously in Thursday's game because you know a lot of times and practice some guys just our practice players some guys are gamers you or or vice versa. Some guys look great in practice not in the game I'd be interest in this because every time I'd see a Michigan game last year granted it was a whole lot but whenever I did cradles name came -- a lot. And the interest to deceive you can make any sort of and sort of -- but again the fact that he's been at every practice. And -- hasn't and by this from what we saw today read may have a little bit of of an edge at this point I think that's that's annals of."

[8:12]" and will watch enough you know I -- they had. They I think they they went through like three -- each of although the four major special teams categories upon. Punt return kick off kickoff return looked to me like it at three reps of beach with the same group. On some of the guys that you you don't I just kinda noticed out there Vince read. Was on the kickoff team. -- you know it's just interesting you know Gary guy who was out on the on the punt team. Some guys -- different spot Sam -- MH in his everywhere getting we know he's specialty stalwart saw I would anticipate him being out there but. You know some of the rookies that are involved in some of these other teams I think it's something to keep an eye on for Thursday night music you know and now Larry Izzo maintained his bottom a lot of -- we talked a lot of ball. You know it's his roster spot tenuous at this time he's still out they would all these groups."

[9:03]" He is the reason I mention Aiken was as we noticed the one point on the punt team. Personal protector the fullback he's -- fullback taken as a -- that it it is always tell there was still like he's on the corner yeah. But that's spot has always been. Is those at least in the in his time here so that's that's that's something -- just phenomenal wants to did anything stand out to you to -- but we we talked about it a little bit tough in terms of valuations and buy anything stick out -- it. Honestly what about the most was that they that there wasn't much that stood out you know we always know I don't mean that to be flip but usually that. Usually we can find at least something. To some hang our hat on I'll say who's hot who's not play the -- difficult and very difficult it -- in the play the day for me it was probably Antoine man who continued to show up. He did stepping in front of Marcus -- I think on the goal line up Matt Gutierrez tried to get an out pattern to it to Pollard at the goal line at the -- break on the and just made a good read -- and it would have taken it you know hundred yards for the touchdown -- but that's probably played today. Yet but -- the other stuff I don't know Dominic really difficult because there really were don't have -- there weren't tackling. At all no it was just you know they'd they'd get to the line and it's really wanted to hit it that's no they weren't hitting and also. It was a it was a on. Even more surprising that they were in full pads doing that's so. -- side to get a chance to have a gripping interview with Jimmy mind. Yeah and I go but will say is that for another time in dead I think that might be a little more interest in what Mike Vrabel. "

[10:32]" Feels really good you know I think to work like today in and -- move forward is an idea. Plus moment."

[10:41]" I just think. You know old age homes trying to get some rest -- get back healthy. There you realize how equitable offseason it is when when you play into -- February and you know you're not as healthy as you've been in the past -- They -- a couple of actually going and turn camp. I I try to expect to play whenever bill puts meanness of those -- put -- you know play. -- I would point out why but I don't know that put manner that won their pretenses he's enough for bill. -- yeah and I think that you gotta have. It pads on for more than. Now and half but I think -- you know I feel good conditioning wise and you know on their run around so I just have to start put these friends together and start from an area. I mean I think there's things that we do. With the training staff and what -- with the way coaches that you know our direction things you know run in the fifth and you know. -- stand on top but he the film Duff and all through. You know the the plays in and you know our defensive scheme just like we would any other practice. -- I think that. You know any time that you know you're able to get back on the practice -- excited so. If you ask me if I was excited -- today obviously as excited to come out there for pads on you don't know those guys have been gone out of for two -- in normal a different. Scenario than a lot of those guys but I still certainly excited to put the pads back on."

[12:18]" Obviously I don't see running out there decent idea that we see a lot of faith left -- again looking. What are your thoughts spinning out on the field."

[12:27]" I think did you good group of guys I think they're fun to be around in the meetings I think that the they they put football you know first I think I look at -- him. You know linebackers with -- in Gary. Guys that are young energetic you know like football enjoy playing football. You don't think that we you know can offer them some kind of by self. -- I frankly the order guys get a kick out of because they ask -- stuff and you know we try to help on because you know there's the guys they would be playing with all here."

[12:53]" How important that is just from talking about exactly that it's all the things. You know it's possible on defense how important that is."

[13:03]" Well I think that. You know just as when I was young player and I saw guys that. That still thought football's fun and exciting and had that foreign going out there planning game. Home guys -- Carnell lake -- the money Dawson. Jerome Bettis and I think you guys can appreciate Tedy Bruschi. And Rodney. And guys like that come out here and have fun playing football and I think that they they try to -- in the foot steps. Not the -- he's try to he'll up and you try to get back and you know you reflect on off on a season not just you know one game but. -- you flip you reflect on an entire season and in China. Figure out what you like to improve on where you can improve in in in what you do and -- you can help this football team. Yeah yeah you know we go back yeah we go back to. Try to get away."

[13:58]" I that was Mike Vrabel shortly after practice today. Again I don't think it was anything. I know he was trying to make a joke about in old age and all that I don't think it was anything to significant. That was keeping him out of out of action he certainly looked healthy and in good condition. You know certainly compared on the the other guys. On the come off PUPU looked in pretty good shape."

[14:21]" Yet and the other thing we have to keep in mind it's seems to us every -- and when -- in the thick of camp. You know I think we're in day twelve now it's been two and a half weeks and so since they felt it was the eighteenth practice today yeah so it seems like there's been a lot of time passed. When you sit back and think about it they still have them out for pre season games -- a whole month before the regularly -- and yes it really -- so it it it's sometimes it seems like he's missed a lot of time because of the actual number practices but. When you think about it it's really you know ruin to too bad so. That that may be a little bit of good news for the guys who are a lot now there's still time for them if they come back the next week or two -- still plenty of time then get ready for the season."

[15:00]" Not the top by alluded to the fact is going to be out last training camp podcast for the opener we will have. Some more coming at you next week probably four more of the schedule remains Amos is right now. There's kids to be four days of camp practices starting Monday. So Monday through Thursday next week we will have. More training camp I test what do I don't know will you put maybe even dig up any higher how much it -- well you know I mean it's it is past 4 -- I know that those definitive statement like they're older and younger on the fans the fans clamoring for that kind of exiles now. We don't want to deprive anyone of you know not that any provides by. We're going to hit you. On Monday in -- in between we have the opener against the Ravens were all excited about that the these guys on the game field against another team any he thought anything you look."

[15:51]" In -- well in just noticed on the on the crawl on ESP him behind you that the Ravens have and Kyle bowler will in fact start the game. On Thursday. Not really too surprised about battled on shirt when I was out in the -- a lot of the stuff that I read for the preview more excited to see the rookie. Drafted first round pick Joe Flacco of Delaware receive no luck. How he does obviously he's going against one of the better defenses. In the NFL but I don't expect to see too many of the starters and that's so that's going to be. You -- to take that kind of with a grain of salt that's how he performs but I'm looking forward to see how our. How New England secondary performs they've looked really good surprisingly good in camp so far and I like to see if backing carry over into a game situation. I don't select the seed to rod -- Because she's been tearing it up lately in in camp. PFW hearts -- odd man out of their time. And I'd like to see how he performs in the game situation to he's looked great especially the last 345. Days and in camps and looked annoyed today without speed that you do it can be no he he's a different man on the field he has that he's one of those guys it has its which worries that maniac on the field but nice guy off of it but you want that your football players so. Yeah I'll be looking for to those things the secondary and mail and how he."

[17:07]" I that's -- Al Levine a lump all -- you again next Monday thank you for downloading the podcast from Patriots dot com blog on any time for more news and more podcast. Yours favorite team and Patriots dot com."