Promotion

Fred Taylor shines in early OTA action

By Andy Hart

We just finished up our first portion of voluntary organized team activities that was open to the media, something we often refer to as “passing camp.” There were 48 players on the field in shorts, jerseys and helmets, including 21 on defense and 27 on offense. The weather was great. Sunny, warm and not too windy. The session lasted just about two hours and concluded with the full team doing a series of conditioning runs. Here are some of my initial thoughts on the workout.

–Notable veterans in attendance included Kevin O’Connell, Terrence Wheatley, Matthew Slater, Fred Taylor, Tank Williams, Antwan Spann, Vince Redd, Eric Alexander, Al Johnson, Ryan O’Callaghan, Alex Smith, David Thomas, Kenny “Big’ Smith, Tully Banta-Cain, Chris Baker and Shawn Crable. The bulk of the rookie class was on the field save for a few rookie free agents (Shun White, Tyree Barnes, Eric Kettani) and injured draft picks Brandon Tate and Tyrone McKenzie. Some newcomers not in attendance included Joey Galloway, Greg Lewis, Leigh Bodden and Shawn Springs. For the record, as expected, Tom Brady was not on the field.

–O’Connell took plenty of reps at quarterback, leading the work in most drills. He threw some very nice intermediate passes, but to me looks to continue to struggle with his shorter throws. It’s almost as if his accuracy decreases the shorter the throw is. I thought Brian Hoyer was OK in his attempts and still think he could very well battle for the third QB slot.

–Fred Taylor, a 12th year veteran, was the elder statesman on the field for the workout. He paced a group of running backs that also included BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Omar Cuff. Taylor showed no limitations of the reported wrist injury he suffered earlier this offseason. He met with the media after the practice and said he was on the field to help speed up the process of him getting acclimated to the team.

–It was good to see Shawn Crable and Vince Redd on the field for the work. I thought Crable did a really nice job in pass coverage on a number of reps, something that probably doesn’t come too easy for the 6-5, 243-pounder. Redd didn’t get as many reps as Crable in the group work that I saw. Both players spoke with the media after practice, each one discussing how they spent the offseason working on their strength.

–Wheatley and Sam Aiken did a little rolling around on the ground fighting for the ball after one play down the middle of the field. It looked like Wheatley had the pick but then the veteran took the ball away on the way to or on the ground. It was the most heated play of the day.

–Patriots owner Robert Kraft watched the morning session, wearing a suit on the sidelines. Floyd Reese was also on the sidelines watching the action. Nick Caserio was on the field working with the offense (mostly receivers and quarterbacks) in various drills as he is wont to do this time of year.