Tom Brady leads Patriots workout

June 01, 2011|By Shalise Manza Young, Globe Staff

(Winslow Townson/For the…)

Winslow Townson/For the Globe

By Shalise Manza Young, Globe Staff

As you've read by now, Tom Brady is in town for a couple of events: the Best Buddies charity event he has long been involved with, and also some player-led workouts.

The first of those workouts took place this morning at Boston College's Alumni Stadium, and it is clear that Brady still holds plenty of influence: by my count there were 42 players on hand, including several of the players drafted in April.

Photos: Patriots players hold workout at BC As was mentioned in the previous post, a high number of starters as well as rookies Nate Solder, Ras-I Dowling, Shane Vereen, and Ryan Mallett were on hand, as were Ty Warren, Mike Wright, and Aaron Hernandez, all of whom dealt with injury issues last year. (Update 4:35 p.m.: After looking at the photos we have posted, rookie RB Stevan Ridley was on hand as well.)

The session began before 10 a.m. and wrapped just before noon, when the Boston College players began their own workout.

As for who was there, I'll list who I saw at the end of this post. There may not be 40 players listed because some of the guys, particularly the offensive linemen, remained on the opposite end of the field from where I was standing and even with my glasses on I couldn't distinguish faces.

As for what they did, the players were in shorts and T-shirts. Receivers - including defensive back Patrick Chung at one point - ran routes, while defensive backs worked on their backpedals and catching. There was a brief period of 11-on-11 work, with Brady handing off to a running back or throwing a short screen pass; at those times, the linemen just stood up and put their hands in each others' chests.

The offense and defense then split into separate groups - shortly after that is when myself and a couple of others who were watching were asked to leave because it was supposed to be a closed workout. I did see Devin McCourty standing with Dowling, giving him some instruction. The BC players standing near me remembered Dowling from their games against Virginia and one of them predicted he'd be a steal for New England.

The players seemed happy to be around one another, with a lot of hugs and handshakes exchanged, as well as some laughter shared.

Those spotted included:

Tom Brady
Wes Welker
Deion Branch
BenJarvus Green-Ellis
Jerod Mayo
Vince Wilfork
Ron Brace
Kyle Love
Taylor Price
Danny Woodhead
Ross Ventrone
Buddy Farnham
Brian Hoyer
Ryan Mallett
Julian Edelman
Patrick Chung
Mike Wright
Ty Warren
Gary Guyton
Brandon Tate
Rob Ninkovich
Devin McCourty
Darius Butler
Brandon Meriweather
Mark LeVoir
Rob Gronkowksi
Aaron Hernandez
Thomas Clayton
Jermaine Cunningham
Ras-I Dowling
Stevan Ridley
Tully Banta-Cain
Dane Fletcher
Nate Solder
Shane Vereen
Brandon Deaderick
Eric Moore
Kade Weston

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