After a week off from offseason workouts, players are finally getting a chance to get acquainted with their new football home, CMGI Field.

The conditioning program was put on hold last week while the football operations finished the move into the new stadium. Participation in the voluntary workouts have been excellent throughout the offseason, with the team getting near-full participation from players.

In the past, the team could only have small groups of players in at a time because of poor space and equipment at Foxboro Stadium. With CMGI Field finally a reality, it is now possible to have an entire team in at the same time, which creates easier scheduling for workouts.

Among the many veterans in town the last couple days were safety Lawyer Milloy; quarterbacks Tom Brady and Damon Huard; offensive linemen Mike Compton, Damien Woody, Joe Andruzzi, Grey Ruegamer and Kenyatta Jones; defensive tackle Richard Seymour; linebacker Tedy Bruschi; cornerback Otis Smith and safety Antwan Harris.

The next mandatory date for all player is June 6, when the team begins its mini-camp. That camp runs for three days, but most players are already working out on the grounds on a regular basis during the week.

Lane latest to join Texans

Former Patriot Max Lane signed with the expansion Houston Texans, the team announced Thursday.

Lane played seven seasons with New England from 1994 through 2000 before missing all of last season. He has started 70 of the 100 games played in his career, plus six of seven playoff contests. He did not play in the NFL last season while he recovered from a leg injury.

Lane is now the seventh former Patriot with the Texans, who are preparing for their first NFL season. He joins safeties Matt Stevens, Chris Carter and Hakim Akbar; tight end Rod Rutledge; wide receiver Tony Simmons and linebacker Casey Tisdale as the Houston players with links to New England.