SI's Best Shots From Patriots Camp

SI Staff | Aug 6, 2009

SI's Best Shots From Patriots Camp /

SI's Best Shots From Patriots Camp

Tom Brady

Tom Brady returned to Gillette Stadium last week as the New England Patriots opened training camp in Foxborough.

Randy Moss

Moss, whose 135 career touchdown receptions rank third in NFL history entering the 2009 season (he follows Jerry Rice, 197, and Terrell Owens, 139), should be New England's leading receiver.

Now that Josh McDaniels is Denver's head coach, Bill O'Brien assumes the offensive coordinator position in New England. The swap should not shake up the Pats' offense too much. Brady is more than capable of making decisions and Belichick will surely play a key role.

Tom Brady and Richard Seymour

Tom Brady stretches with DE Richard Seymour, a stellar pass-rusher who had 8.0 sacks in the 2008 season. But even with Seymour's performance, the Patriots need defensive help -- they ranked only 14th in sacks last season.

Randy Moss

With Randy Moss and Wes Walker in the arsenal, Brady should not have much of a problem finding someone open.

Bill Belichick and Mike Richardson

Coach Bill Belichick chats with cornerback Mike Richardson during stretches. Belichick put his team to work during the first week of camp with seven days of double sessions.

Tom Brady

Brady is coming back from a serious knee injury that kept him off the field for most of the 2008 season. The quarterback has been practicing with a brace on his surgically repaired left knee. He says the brace hasn't restricted his movement but may have changed his speed from "slow" to "slower."

Benjamin Watson

Waston led the Pats' tight ends with 22 receptions for 209 yards and two touchdowns last season.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis

RB Green-Ellis signed with the Patriots as a free agent in May 2008. He finished his first season in New England with five rushing touchdowns, the team's second highest for the season.

David Thomas

Drafted in the third round of the 2006 draft, tight end David Thomas is projected to play behind Benjamin Watson and will share time with Chris Baker.

Greg Lewis

Lewis, who spent the last six seasons with the Eagles, will have to earn his field time with an already strong receiving core.

Julian Edelman

Seventh round pick Edelman was the starting quarterback for Kent State but will be used as a wide receiver for the Pats.

Tom Brady

While Brady says his knee has not bothered him, he did admit to some soreness in his throwing arm.

Kevin Faulk and Le Kevin Smith

Faulk, shown here eluding DT Le Kevin Smith, will share time in a crowded backfield that includes Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris and new addition Fred Taylor.

Laurence Maroney

Talent has never been a question for Maroney, but durability is another issue. He looks to rebound from the 2008 season that saw him play only three games due to a shoulder injury.

Tom Brady

Because Matt Cassel, Brady's 2008 replacement, was sacked 47 times last season, the Patriots and new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien will look to repair some pressure schemes during camp.

Tom Brady and Kevin O'Connell

While Brady is the sure starter, second year QB Kevin O'Connell may have to battle for the role of backup, as there are talks the Patriots may sign former Dolphins QB Cleo Lemon.

Tom Brady and Wes Welker

The Patriots hope that Brady's return will allow the duo to return to 2007 form that saw Welker amass 1,175 receiving yard and eight touchdowns.

David Thomas

Thomas, who started 10 games last season, has had a strong showing thus far in camp.

Published Aug 6, 2009

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