Patriots work on all parts of special teams Thursday
TEMPE, Ariz. -- You might expect to see Bill Belichick in his signature hoodie at any given practice.On Thursday, as the conducted their second practice of the week since arriving in Arizona for XLIX, it was team owner Robert Kraft sporting a hoodie on the sideline.Kraft donned a sweatshirt during the latter half
Derrick Coleman Jersey of the 1-hour, 56-minute se sion as sprinkles fell.The entire practice, held on an outdoor field at the training facility amid temperatures in the mid-60s, came against the backdrop of gray clouds that threatened rain.Belichick wasn't worried about the weather. Although he could have moved drills inside a practice bubble adjacent to the fields if needed, the coach laughed when asked whether they would have finished practice outdoors
Spencer Dinwiddie Jersey in a downpour."We're like the U.S. Mail," Belichick contended.After practicing in full pads during their most intense se sion of the week on Wednesday, the were outfitted in shorts and shells as Belichick scaled back the contact."Le s contact, but still a lot of mental alertne s and timing," Belichick said. "They're working hard. Good tempo. We're getting there."As was the case on Wednesday, every player on the active roster practiced, although a handful of players nursing injuries --
Rodions Kurucs Jersey , , , and -- were officially cla sified as having limited participation. Ayers was the only new addition to the injury report on Thursday, because of a knee injury. remains on the report (ankle) as a full participant, having taken all of his projected snaps.Belichick built in blocks of practice time to work on all four phases of the special teams return game -- kickoff coverage game, kickoff returns, punt coverage and punt returns. It constituted more special teams work than Wednesday. Practice
Buck Williams Jersey concluded with field goal work.The also worked on their two-minute offense and two-minute defense against scout teams, and spent more time working on red zone offense plays. There were more situational packages, including a sequence that began with Brady and the offense backed up on their 2-yard line.That situation also prompted the to blast loud music. The first selection of the day: Ima Bo s, a rap song by Meek Mill, featuring Rick Ro s.The welcomed a special visitor, Arizona State football coach Todd Graham. Belichick chatted with Graham after practice. "They have a great program," Belichick said. "He's done a good job."Another coach, Seattle's Pete Carroll, said during his morning pre s conference on Thursday that he was informed that officials in the will use pronounced hand signals to identify eligible and ineligible players at the line of scrimmage."I haven't heard
Tyler Johnson Jersey anything about that, so we'll see what happens," Belichick said. "I'll check it out."