The Patriots had a special teams filled, two hour practice under partly cloudy skies and cooler temperatures at Bryant College Monday morning. The practice marked the first time during camp that the team used an extended session to work on and specifically focus on special teams.

Following the usual warm-ups and positional drills, the team gathered on one of the practice fields to work on kick and kick return units as well as some punt work. The action took place with the help of scout teams providing a look for each of the units, as well as under the watchful eye of the group of NFL officials that are in camp for their second day of a three-day visit.

The officials got some work of their own during the drill as well, specifically during a portion when the team worked on onside kicks. The officials threw a number of flags during the segment, presumably for offsides violations.

Everyone in attendance got quite a scare early in the practice session when Pro Bowl wide receiver Troy Brown was slow to get up after making a play for the ball in the end zone during a drill with the quarterbacks. While Brown did not return to practice action, he walked around and stayed out for the remainder of the practice. The trainers appeared to examine Brown's right knee, and later iced and wrapped the knee.

Quarterback Tom Brady was one of the first players to Brown's side as he was slow to get up, and remained intently interested in Brown's condition throughout much of the practice. Brown caught 101 passes in 2001, with 89 of them coming after Brady became the starter in Week 3, so there is good reason why Brady would worry so much about his favorite target. For his part Brady said after practice that while he was fearful at first, he doesn't believe that the injury to Brown is serious.

"He just went up to jump for a ball and came down a little awkward," Brady said. "I think he is fine now, but at first I was going, 'Oh shoot, not now.'

Notes
The team will practice at CMGI Field at 7 p.m. tonight. The session is closed to the general public. … Wide receiver T.C. Taylor made the catch of the day. Taylor jumped in the air and then adjusted his body to make the catch before landing rather stiffly. He jumped right up following the catch. … J.R. Redmond was the only addition to the injury list. He rode the bikes and did some 100-yard sprints during practice. …Jimmy Farris and Deion Branch continued to impress at wide receiver. Both players had numerous catches in the morning session.