The Patriots moved inside the Dana-Farber Field House for the final workout of the team's three-day mini-camp Thursday morning as first-round pick Dominique Easley took part for the first time.
Easley, who's coming off a torn ACL that cost him the bulk of his final season at Florida, took part in all the drills with his defensive line teammates during the 40 minutes the media was allowed to watch the practice.
The athletic defensive tackle showed no obvious signs of the injury or limitations in the non-contact drill work, other than a surgical sock/sleeve on his right knee.
Easley had not been on the field for the previous two mini-camp practices or three OTA sessions that were open to the media.
Beyond Easley's practice debut in front of the media, here are one man's blogservations of limited practice action in a non-contact, indoor workout environment of players not wearing jersey numbers:
--Those players not seen on the field for the morning session included Josh Boyce, Aaron Dobson, Armond Armstead and Wilson Van Hooser.
Boyce appeared to injure his knee/leg early in practice on Wednesday and did not finish that session, so his absence today isn't shocking.
--One day after missing basically the entirety of Wednesday's mini-camp practice, Darrelle Revis was back on the field and taking part fully in drills.
--A group of players took part in stretching but then retreated to work with the rehab staff, including Ryan Mallett, Cameron Gordon, Justin Green and others. Guys like Logan Mankins, Rob Gronkowski and Matthew Slater took part in stretching and pre-practice running, then remained on the field watching their teammates work but did not take part in drills.
--Stevan Ridley's cleats were fluorescent green with a logo on the back. Was hard to tell what it was, although given his run of superhero footwear, Hulk or Green Lantern might be solid guesses for this novice eye.
[--For whatever it's worth, noted fisherman and cornerbacks coach Josh Boyer wore sunglasses even in the indoor setting. He has the classic TV fishing show host look to him when he wears the glasses.
--First-year assistant coach Brendan Daly, who works with the defensive line, uses a football on a stick to simulate snaps for his positional group during drills. Watching Daly up close for the first time, he's a young, active coach with a pretty firm delivery with his players. Impressive to watch him deal with minute technique details in drills. He clearly wasn't hesitant to correct guys like Vince Wilfork or Rob Ninkovich on the smallest detail. But he didn't come off as a yeller or a guy who uses a lot of vulgarity.
--Seeing a practice inside the Dana-Farber Field House for the first time in a long time, there is what can best be described as a large sandbox behind the end zone on the Gillette Stadium end of the field. Can only speculate that this is used for various running and drills, potentially bringing the benefits that come with running on the beach. It would also certainly be any kids dream as it could hold an almost endless number of Tonka trucks.
--Speaking of trucks, the Captain America monster truck was parked at the base of the stairs that take the players from the practice fields into Gillette Stadium. The truck is one of 16-plus that will take part in the first-ever Monster Jam event at Gillette Stadium this Saturday. Tickets are still available. This reporter, for one, will be in attendance for this unique outdoor motorsports experience.
--The viewing period for Patriots practice was much shorter for the media on the final day of camp. The team was scheduled to take part in some conditioning running after the media departed the Dana-Farber Field House.
--Thursday marked the final workout for New England until the team returns for training camp in late July.
