Day 1 of Training Camp is in the books so if you missed it, too bad...just kidding! You can catch up on all the news from Thursday's practice by reading Erik Frenz's 'Training Camp Notes' on Boston.com and Mike Reiss' Day 1 Observations over at ESPN Boston. It'll be as if you were there! One of the biggest observations in both articles was the impressive play of second-year wide receiver, Kenbrell

Thompkins. According to Frenz and Reiss, Thompkins made a number of acrobatic catches and scored a few touchdowns during 7-on-7's and 11-on-11's.

For more on Thompkin's performance, watch Comcast SportsNet's Tom E. Curran and Mike Giardi breakdown all of Tom Brady's receiving options. The duo had some very interesting observations regarding Rob Gronkowski, Danny Amendola, and of course the star of the day -- Kenbrell Thompkins.

"He makes catches, he makes acrobatic catches, he has exceptional quickness and outside ability," said Curran of Thompkins. "I think you're eating paint chips if you think that Kenbrell Thompkins is even close to the bubble. I think he is a staple receiver for this team."

Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post says that Tom Brady is out to prove that age is just a number. Brady met with the media yesterday and spoke about taking nothing for granted in the NFL. In fact according to the Boston Globe's Ben Volin, the Patriots' star quarterback still approaches training camp the same way he did as a rookie.

"Thursday morning, Brady began his 15th training camp with the Patriots as they held their first practice of the preseason," writes Volin. "Brady's almost 37 now and has a few more wrinkles on his face, but still loves his time on the practice field."

Over the past 7 years or so Tom Brady's offense has been the strength of team, but this year it's the defense that's getting all the hype. NFL.com's Judy Battista says that the success of the Patriots season will be determined by the team's defensive play. However, when asked about the group's potential, Jerod Mayo was quick to pump the breaks. Mayo told Rob Harms of the Boston Globe that it's too soon to measure the Patriots' growth on defense.

"We have a lot of different schemes, a lot of different plays to put in, so ask me that (again) in a couple of weeks," said Mayo according to Harms. "We really don't know what we're capable of doing. We're taking it one day at a time."

As training camp gets underway, Jim Donaldson of the Providence Journal posted an AFC East preview and he thinks the Patriots are a "lock" to win the division. Donaldson took a look at the Patriots' division rivals and explained why each team won't compete with New Enland in 2014. Ultimately, Donaldson says it all boils down to the quarterbacks.

"While the Patriots have one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history in Tom Brady, the Bills have the often-injured E.J. Manuel, the Jets have the often-ineffective Geno Smith, and the Dolphins have the often-sacked Ryan Tannehill," says Donaldson.

Finally, before you turn the page to Day 2, make sure to check out *ESPN Boston*'s and the *Boston Globe*'s photos from the first day of camp!