Wes Welker Is Back
Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker returned
to the practice field on Saturday August 2, after the team removed him from
the PUP list. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound receiver had missed all of the team's
offseason minicamp practices while recovering form a groin injury. When asked
how he felt, Welker told reporters that he was glad to be back.
"I feel ready to go. If I wasn't 100 percent I wouldn't be out there,"
said Welker.
Hobbs Returns With Confidence
Never one to mince words with a chance to show his confidence, Patriots' cornerback
Ellis Hobbs returned to practice on Saturday
after the team removed him from the PUP list. Although Hobbs didn't participate
in practice much during the session, the key for Hobbs was to get back on the
field.
"I just made a promise to myself, as soon as we got those surgeries taken
care of," said Hobbs. "That I wouldn't move a muscle until I was full
go."
When asked if he felt any different being the senior-most defender in the secondary,
Hobbs returned to his confident ways.
"I think everybody that comes out here, especially at corner, wants to
be the No. 1 guy," said Hobbs. "That's how I felt when I came in as
a rookie."
Hobbs has started 33 of 47 regular season games since being selected by the
Patriots in the third round of he 2005 NFL Draft (84th overall). The Fresno
State corner was quick to downplay the role of his injuries from 2007 telling
reporters that he wasn't one to whine about injuries or use them as an excuse.
Ruud Glad To Be Back
Rookie linebacker Bo Ruud was the third player
removed from the Patriots' PUP list on Saturday, enabling the Nebraska product
to participate in his first training camp practice.
Stokes Joins Line As Clement Departs
The Patriots signed veteran offensive lineman Barry
Stokes Saturday. Terms of the deal were not available. A journeyman lineman,
Stokes has appeared in 83 games with 44 starts over his career, playing for
the Miami Dolphins (1998), Green Bay Packers (2000-01), Cleveland Browns (2002-03),
Atlanta Falcons (2005) and Detroit Lions (2006).
Stokes participated in Saturday's practice wearing a white No. 75 jersey.
The Patriots also placed veteran offensive lineman Anthony
Clement on the injured reserve list due to a knee injury. Clement joined
New England as an unrestricted free agent after spending the past two seasons
starting at right tackle for the New York Jets.
Saturday's practice was closed to the public due to the Bruce Springsteen Concert.
Severe weather in the area forced a delay to the start of the concert, though
reports indicate 'the Boss' put on quite a show.
The Patriots next practice is Sunday 2:30-4:30 at Gillette Stadium. Practice
is open to the public.
More:
Insider Analysis
on Training Camp
2008
Patriots Roster