The Boston Globe's Mike Reiss offers a feature on tight end Daniel Graham. At the University of Colorado, Graham had his choice of jersey numbers. The decision, 89, had significant meaning. That's the number Graham's favorite all-time player, Mark Bavaro, donned over his productive nine-year NFL career with the Giants, Browns, and Eagles.
Rookie defensive back Willie Andrews, the team's seventh-round pick out of Baylor, spent yesterday's second practice working exclusively at receiver. The Globe's Mike Reiss explains that the move, which may only be temporary, came after a few practices in which Andrews was working as a scout-team receiver and made a couple of excellent catches, including one yesterday morning on a long pass over the middle.
The Boston Herald's Michael Felger features Eric Warfield, who played eight years for the Chiefs before arriving in New England for this season. "I think Eric has improved through the camp, especially the last week to 10 days," Belichick said.
Three years ago, Matt Leinart and Matt Cassel were on equal footing - both fighting for the starting quarterback job at USC. Matt Leinart won the quarterback derby at USC during the spring and summer of 2003 and led the Trojans to three shots at the national title, winning two of them and pocketing a Heisman Trophy. And yet, with Leinart signing in Arizona on Tuesday night, the two will enter Saturday's exhibition game at Gillette Stadium on an even plane - as NFL backups. MetroWest Daily News reporter Albert Breer has the story.
Mike Felger offers the Herald's Patriots Notebook. Included are stories on Tom Brady, Willie Andrews, Dan Koppen and Johnathan Sullivan.
The Providence Journal's Shalise Manza Young explains that Tully Banta-Cain will finally get a chance to show what he's made of. "I'm very excited," Banta-Cain said yesterday. "I've been patient for the last three years watching how it's supposed to be done, and now I'm going to get my shot and I'm really excited to get out there and show what I can do."
Alan Greenburg, of the Hartford Courant, offers a feature on 2003 first-round draft pick Ty Warren. "Ty has just steadily improved since the day he got here and he continues to improve," Belichick said.
The Globe's Mike Reiss also offers his daily blog, Reiss' Pieces.
