Notebook: Michel, Cannon at practice again; Scarnecchia on state of OL

FOXBOROUGH — A few quick notes from Tuesday morning at Gillette Stadium.


—The following players were not spotted at the start of a fully-padded practice on the fields behind Gillette Stadium: tight end Ryan Izzo, linebacker Harvey Langi, and offensive linemen Luke Bowanko and Isaiah Wynn. This group is unlikely to play Thursday in the preseason finale, and while they were back at practice for a second consecutive day, I’d be shocked if running back Sony Michel and offensive lineman Marcus Cannon played against the Giants.



—We’re going to have more from the assistant coaches throughout the day — we can only transcribe so quickly. But here are a few quick highlights from offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia.

On the letter he sent to Randy Moss, which the wide receiver referenced in his acceptance speech at the Pro Football Hall of Fame: “He would usually only call me coach. We had a good relationship. When guys leave here, and you have an affinity for a guy, you kind of want to remind them of that. That’s all. I was shocked he would ever bring it up, and I was flattered that he would and I was honored that he would. And I think I’ll just leave it at that. … I didn’t watch. I didn’t. I think we were in the thick of it all. I was probably sleeping. In fact, I’m sure I was sleeping.”

On the offensive line as a whole this summer: “We’ve been able to keep four of them out there the whole time, and that’s a good thing. The inside three guys were like they were last year. They have just played together for a long time in this league, really. They understand what’s to be expected of one another. They’re also working really, really well together. And I really appreciate that. As it goes, Joe, and his interaction with Trent, that’s getting better. Less mystery over there. Trent (Brown), I think as you can see, has got some dynamic skills. And he’s working hard to be a really good player on every down. I think that’s been something that’s been encouraging as we’ve gone on.”

On Shaq Mason: “He’s just like the other two guys who have been here, on the inside. He’s all-day tough. He’s really progressed as a football player, from a run-first — a run-only offense, really, at Georgia Tech. He’s learned to see things as a veteran would see them now. He’s just a solid player.”

On the backup tackle situation: “I think they have a really good work ethic. All of them. I’ve told this to this group, all these linemen — this is a really good group of guys. For the most part they have stayed out there and really worked hard to develop their skills and become better players. It’s true with Matt (Tobin) and it’s true with Ulrick (John) and Bowanko, and it’s true with James Ferentz. It’s true with all those guys. I really appreciate how those guys have gone in there — when we’ve gotten our starters out, the wheels haven’t come off. That’s a tribute to them — the way they practice the way they prepare and the way they play.”

Defensive line Brendan Daly on Shelton: "It’s been fun to have him. He’s a big guy. He’s got good power. He is hard to move. Hard to displace. We’ve asked him to do some different things from a lineman and a technique standpoint than he’s been used to. He’s been great to work with in that regard in terms of doing what we’ve asked him to do. He’s been able to push the pocket little bit form a pass rush standpoint. So we’re glad to have him and were excited to see how it goes."

Having Joe Kim and Bret Bielema around: “It’s been great. Both of those guys have added value to our staff, no question. They’ve added value to the practices. I enjoy learning new things and seeing different ways to do things or getting a different perspective on things, even if it’s just a conversation that doesn’t even come into play. That’s how you learn (and) that’s how you grow.”

Tight end coach Nick Caley on Hollister: “Jacob has a really good work ethic, and a really good approach to the game. He studies. He tries to work on the fundamentals. He’s done a really good job of that throughout the spring and up until now, just trying to take it a play at a time and work on everything — whether it’s passing-game related, blocking. He’s involved obviously in special teams too. He does a really good job of focusing on all those things and trying to break it all down and not looking too far ahead and just trying to stay in the moment and improve there. That’s something he’s done a really nice job of.”

On Dwayne Allen: “Dwayne has played a good amount of football. He’s a veteran. He’s a professional. He comes to work every day, and he loves to work and he loves to practice. He loves to compete and he loves to learn. Those are the things that stand out when it comes to Dwayne from my perspective. We have a good group of guys in general who enjoy being around one another and we have fun. They work hard. That’s a testament to the group.”

Wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea on Phillip Dorsett over the last year: “Phillip certainly did a good job of coming in here and trying to embrace his role on the team. His role last year was that of trying to be a multiple position receiver. You need to learn all of it. So Phillip learned it all last year, he did a nice job of it. I think he’s continued to progress as far as … Phillip can do a lot of different things for us. He’s not just locked into a certain position or certain role. He’s a multiple position player, and we’ll use him to his strengths.”

More to come...