Patriots Shorthanded at Opening Practice

FOXBOROUGH, Mass.--The Patriots opened their camp with an uneventful practice indoors.

Quarterback Tom Brady's ankle appeared fully healed, and he and other players emerged to say what they've been programmed by Coach Bill Belichick to say: that they've put the Super Bowl loss to the Giants behind them and have moved on.

One notable thing about the Patriots' opening practice was that they had a dozen players on the physically unable to perform list to begin camp.

That listed included safety Rodney Harrison, cornerback Ellis Hobbs, linebacker Mike Vrabel, defensive lineman Jarvis Green, wide receiver Wes Welker, guard Stephen Neal and offensive tackle Nick Kaczur. The list is for players who have not passed their physicals; they can be activated from the list at any time during camp after passing physicals.

Belichick was asked during his post-practice news conference whether Kaczur's absence from practice was related to his plea deal with prosecutors this week in which he potentially avoided a drug possession charge after reportedly being caught with more than 200 painkilling pills in his car when he was stopped for speeding in April near Utica, N.Y.

Belichick said that Kaczur didn't participate because of a physical issue, but didn't elaborate. He declined to say whether Kaczur will be disciplined by the team, saying such matters are resolved privately.

The Patriots are applying the finishing touches to a contract agreement with first-round draft pick Jerod Mayo, a linebacker from Tennessee taken with the 10th overall selection in April. It's possible that Mayo will participate in the club's evening practice.

By Mark Maske |  July 24, 2008; 12:41 PM ET  | Category:  Patriots
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