The Patriots wrapped up their second session on Monday with a low-key workout in helmets and shoulder pads that featured extensive work on the passing game, and the return of Robert Edwards, who participated fully in the workout after being sidelined for most of camp with a groin pull.
Edwards took his spot in the passing drills as the running backs and tight ends went 1-on-1 with the linebackers and safeties. Edwards came out of the backfield on his first chance, raced to the left flat and caught a pass from Drew Bledsoe in stride. As he turned to head up field, he received a nice round of applause from the couple hundred fans in attendance.
A few plays later, Chris Eitzmann got free from Bryan Cox and made his way to toward the sideline after catching a Bledsoe pass. Cox kept with the play, however, and punched the ball loose from the young tight end, drawing another round of applause for his hustle.
After the individual work, the players began the team period with blitz drills. The offense mixed things up with quick slants and dump offs to avoid the pressure, while the defense rotated several bodies in and out of the lineup. David Nugent and rookie Richard Seymour swapped places on the dime defense, joining Anthony Pleasant and Greg Spires up front.
The practice included some red zone work, which was dominated by the defense. Ted Johnson got free on a blitz and knocked down a Bledsoe pass on third-and-four from inside the 15. Two plays later, Ty Law made a nice interception on a low throw intended for Troy Brown to snuff out another threat.
As the subs rotated in on both sides, the defense maintained the upper hand. Cornerback Terrance Shaw, who recently returned to duty after sitting out with a shoulder injury, made a nice deflection on a pass intended for Charles Johnson on a post pattern in the end zone.
The offense finally got something going when Damon Huard tossed a reverse screen to Antowain Smith, who waltzed into the end zone untouched after the defense was completely caught off guard. Edwards got a couple of carries during the drill and lost his footing on one, falling awkwardly to the turf. He sprang back to his feet quickly, though, and was replaced by J.R. Redmond.
NOTES: The Patriots workout took place on the main Bryant College field because the regular fields were too wet. The team plans to return to their normal site tomorrow, weather permitting. … Safety Tony George may be gone but his uniform No. 41 lives: Ryan Benjamin donned the jersey for the afternoon workout. Benjamin, a long snapper out of South Florida, was signed Monday afternoon and worked out with the special teams… The Patriots 9 a.m. workout in the morning is the only session open to the public on Tuesday. … Some of the team's walking wounded are getting close to returning. Guard Mike Compton is walking under his own power without any brace on his injured calf. Linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer is still weighing his options but joined his teammates on the field and participated in non-contact work.
