The Patriots finished up the first week of passing camp Thursday in a session that included only first and second year players along with those new to the system.
Next week, the veterans will participate as the team works toward its June 7-12 mandatory full squad mini-camp. With Rohan Davey competing for the Berlin Thunder in NFL Europe and Tom Brady likely easing his way back into throwing after offseason shoulder surgery, the passing camps are offering second-year man Kliff Kingsbury a chance to show his improvement.
Kingsbury, who spent last season on injured reserve with an elbow injury after being selected in the sixth round of the 2003 draft, has added 12 pounds of muscle over the course of what amounted to a red shirt rookie season. Now he is getting the chance to compete on the field, a chance that he missed out on a year ago.
"It's really a crash course," Kingsbury said regarding this past week's work. "They throw a lot at you and we're working on different aspects of the passing game. It's a big help to me. Last year I was pretty much just working out on my own. I'd go to all the meetings, but you can't simulate actually seeing it on the field. You have to be out there to get the reps. Doing that this week felt good."
Kingsbury's body also feels good. He threw the ball 1,883 times over the course of his career in a predominantly passing offense at Texas Tech and the year off has him feeling refreshed.
"The first year your eyes are so big and you're trying to take it all in," Kingsbury said looking back. "Physically I definitely wasn't ready last year and I wasn't mentally either. Just to have a year to work my body, not get hit, not get beat up and then to go to meetings and on the road and experience the preparation and different scenarios that come up helps me compete this year.
"I've gained strength and I feel healthy after playing five years throwing the ball pretty much every play and getting hit a lot. I was beat up. I feel fresh and my body feels as good as it ever has."
Notes
Redskins offensive lineman and former Patriot Kenyatta Jones has been sentenced to a year of probation stemming from an incident last season in which he allegedly poured boiling water on his house guest and administrative assistant, Mark Paul. Jones signed with Washington last Nov. 24, a month after being released by New England. He was active for just one game, although he did not play, and spent the remainder of the season on injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle. … Quarterback Kurt Kittner was awarded to the New York Giants off waivers. … Patriots outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin is among a group of New England players that will be taking part in the Offense-Defense Football Camp at Bryant College in Smithfield, R.I. July 11th-15th. Others expected to appear at the camp include Bethel Johnson, Eugene Wilson, Rohan Davey, Ty Warren, Troy Brown, Steve Nelson and Mosi Tatupu. For more information on the Official Football Camp of the National Football League Coaches Association go to www.offensedefense.com.
Patriots Football Weekly's Andy Hart contributed to this report.
