Live Coverage: With preseason action a week away, focus starts to shift slightly for Patriots

FOXBOROUGH -- We are back on the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium for another morning of training camp. As practices continue and the preseason opener now a week away, expect the Patriots to start to shift their focus slightly, as more game-planning and situational football enter the picture. They also have to balance that with prep work for the regular season, but nevertheless, things will start to take on a slightly different energy these days around Foxborough.



11:08 a.m.: Practice wrapping up -- stretching has begun. We'll get players here shortly.

11:07 a.m.: Some hijinks here as the workout comes to an end. The offense and defense have flipped, and the offense -- led by quarterback Patrick Chung -- failed to execute an RPO at the end of the workout. (Looked like Brady was in coverage, FWIW.) Big celebrations on the other side of the ball.

11:04 a.m.: Corey Bojorquez getting all the reps as the holder on field goals and extra points. No botched connections so far.

11:02 a.m.: Hoyer and Patterson just connected on a great pass play where Patterson beat Richards on a deep ball. Patterson pumped his fist and celebrated on what would have been a touchdown throw.

11:02 a.m.: I know we've been banging the drum for Dorsett, but he's really been a big part of things today. Should be considered a guy to watch come game time.

11:01 a.m.: Hoyer ball for Lucien is almost picked by J.C. Jackson

10:59 a.m.: James White with a great catch in traffic off a rushed throw from Brady. Put a star next to that one.

10:50 a.m.: Well-executed red-zone play for the offense there where the D fell for a fake handoff and Brady finds White in the end zone. Fooled the D, and Deatrich Wise looked angry that he fell for the trickery.

10:48 a.m.: Kyle Van Noy with a really nice pass breakup on a Brady ball for Hollister in the end zone.

10:45 a.m.: Jason King comes limping off the field at the end of 11-on-11s. Getting checked out by the training staff. Looks like a left ankle or foot.

10:42 a.m.: Travis with a nice PBU on a Hoyer deep ball for Gronkowski. Hoyer then just misses Devin Lucien who had nice separation on a deep ball of his own.

10:41 a.m.: Hoyer just hit Dorsett on an impressive deep ball out of the slot. Really nice play.

10:38 a.m.: Interesting seeing the Patriots offensive skill position players here in 11-on-11s. Riley McCarron and Braxton Berrios open in the slot with the first two reps. Looking at some personnel possibilities for the first four weeks of the season?

10:33 a.m.: Waddle at right tackle as the 11-on-11 work begins -- a two-minute drill. More work for the veteran in place of Cannon.

10:29 a.m.: The Patriots have added to their one-on-one drills with some two-on-twos that include stunts and the like. It's also a good drill designed to build continuity along the OL. Interesting to see how guys play off each other, especially the newcomers. A work in progress in some cases.

10:27 a.m.: Good showing by some of the receivers in a blocking drill, including Braxton Berrios. Phillip Dorsett also connected, but also got shoved out of the way on one play. Same with Cordarrelle Patterson.

10:17 a.m: Ulrick John has been pretty competitive in the one-on-ones the last couple of days. Not sure he's going to land a roster spot on the final 53, but he's done well.

10:05 a.m.: Slater is back out on the field and working in pads. Guess here is that officially removes him from PUP.

10:03 a.m.: Patterson just made a terrific one-handed grab in a passing drill over Jason McCourty. Maybe the best catch of camp so far.

9:50 a.m.: Bill Belichick just offered five to Adrian Clayborn after he did a nice job setting the edge in a running drill. Good sign for the veteran.

9:48 a.m.: Trey Flowers just had his helmet knocked off on a savage block in early drill work.

9:47 a.m.: Will Tye just made a sweet one-handed grab on a pass from Brady in an early drill.

9:35 a.m.: With Gillislee limited and no Michel, it'll be interesting to see how the running back snaps shake out today. Lots of work for Hill, Burkhead and Bolden.

9:19 a.m.: Matthew Slater is back in pads this morning. No sign of Marcus Cannon. And no sign of Sony Michel or Nate Theaker. The usual group on PUP -- including Ebner and Britt -- are all in sweats. After stretching, Keion Crossen and Slater head down to the lower fields to work with the rehab group.

9:01 a.m.: Drew Rosenhaus -- the agent for Rob Gronkowski -- is here watching practice this morning. That's interesting.

8:22 a.m.: No Bill Belichick presser on Thursday. Practice will kick off at 9:15 a.m. on the fields behind Gillette Stadium, and is scheduled to run until 11:15 a.m. It’s supposed to be a steamy one on Thursday, so make sure you dress accordingly. As always, if there’s a question about practice and weather, you can verify practice times by calling 508-549-0001 or by visiting www.patriots.com/trainingcamp.