Thank God it’s back. What do people do when it’s not football season? Read books or something? Ah, who cares? Football is back starting Friday morning so all is right with the world.

Who are some of the players you are interested in checking out or hearing about during training camp? Here are a couple I have my eye on:

Eric Alexander - I’m really high on Alexander. From everything I’ve heard, this guy is a workaholic who is always trying to improve his game. I know he got beat on that deep pass late in the Colts game but I thought he showed a lot in that start to be encouraged by heading into training camp. Alexander is big, fast and athletic - three things the Pats could use at inside linebacker. Alexander is now entering his fourth year, and in my opinion, could be ready to break out.

James Sanders - I believe this guy is a star waiting to happen. When I first came to New England I did a story on Sanders and he told me how much he looked up to Rodney Harrison and how he planned on sticking to the veteran safety like glue. Well, it’s working. Sanders proved to be a very sure tackler last season and I think improved quite a bit in coverage after that debacle against Denver. People keep looking for the guy to replace Harrison. Well, unless Ronnie Lott comes out of retirement, you won’t find him, but Sanders could be an emerging star in New England’s secondary.

LeKevin Smith - I actually thought Smith looked pretty good last year in training camp. Perhaps that’s because I was comparing him to Johnathan Sullivan, who was getting pancaked every other play. Either way, I will be interested to see how much Smith has developed and if he’s ready to add some depth at nose tackle.

Adalius Thomas - I just like to watch him destroy people.

I’ll be back Friday morning with non-stop training camp coverage, so be sure to stop by and check it out.

Randy Moss has decided to wear the No. 81 as a New England Patriot.  Moss had been wearing the No. 6 since he was acquired in April but had to make the switch because NFL rules state a receiver must display a number from 10-19 or 80-89. Jonathan Smith - who was recently released by the Patriots - had previously worn the number. Smith’s departure (He was claimed off waivers by Buffalo) set the stage for Moss’ new digits. It’s going to be a busy couple of days for the Patriots pro shop as fans line up to get their Moss jerseys.

For those of you who follow our draft coverage, I think you know why I posted this. Remember when some Patriots fans wanted this guy in the second round of the draft? Now he can be picked up for free but I imagine Bing has the same problem he had coming out of USC: he can’t play football. I still have no idea where the hype surrounding this guy came from. All anyone had to do was watch one USC game to realize that Bing was one of the worst safeties in the country. Now if people would realize that Roy Williams is one of the worst safeties in the NFL, I will finally be able to sleep at night. With Bing being released after never playing one down of football for the Raiders, it makes my “No way Alan Branch will be on the board when the Patriots pick,” comment this year a little easier to swallow.

 Speaking of the draft, watch out for this guy: Antoine Cason, CB Arizona. I’ve been watching Cason play for the last two years and there won’t be a better cover corner in college football this year, I guarantee it. Cason isn’t just a cover guy but he’ll also come up and smack receivers and ball carriers. I think he’s the total package at the cornerback position and someone I’ll be watching closely this season. I would advise Patriots fans to do the same because this kid would be a perfect fit in Bill Belichick’s defense, especially if No. 22 isn’t around.

The boys here at PFW are back and ready to blog all through training camp. Every single day of camp we’ll be giving you a running blog from practice. If you can’t be at Gillette Stadium to see all the action, the PFW blog will be the best place to get it. We want to make it so it’s like you are actually out at practice, even if you can’t be there physically. We will have tons of stuff up on Friday but today we begin by answering some of the burning questions for the Patriots as they kick off camp.

What is the most intriguing storyline of training camp?

For me it’s the health of Rodney Harrison. I know a lot of people would say Randy Moss here but I expect him to be fine this season and have a huge year. Harrison is coming off two season-ending knee injuries in the last two years. The guy is a warrior and the emotional leader of this team, there’s no denying that. I’ll be watching to see how he looks on the field. I believe Harrison is one of the few guys on this team that simply can’t be replaced because of his leadership, football intelligence and passion for the game. - Tom Casale

All the new weapons that Tom Brady has at his disposal. The talent, athleticism and playmaking ability on the field for the offense this summer is ridiculous compared to this time a year ago. It will be fun to watch Brady and Co. work to get on the same page and build chemistry. - Andy Hart

How quickly will Tom Brady synch up with his new receivers. - Fred Kirsch

I’m anxious to see how all the new weapons fit in on offense, particularly Randy Moss. - Paul Perillo

The same as last year: how quickly can Tom Brady and his new receivers get comfortable with each other? It took at least half the ’06 season for that to happen, but with more skill at the position this year, the transition should be smoother, quicker. - Erik Scalavino

Which player will you be watching the closest?

Other than Harrison I would say Adalius Thomas. It will be interesting to see where Thomas lines up and plays most of the time in training camp. I still think he’ll start at outside linebacker, while being used at inside backer and defensive end from time-to-time. Plus, wait until everyone sees just how fast Thomas is when it comes to getting to the quarterback. It’s downright scary. This freak is going to push to be the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Book it. - TC

Randy Moss, just like the rest of the world. I’d like to have a more cerebral answer here (i.e. – Is Mike Elgin enough of a line technician to win a roster spot?) but Moss is going to be the star of camp. Does he still have it? Is he trying? Does he fit in with the offense? Those sort of questions have to trump my Elgin watching. - AH

Laurence Maroney. He’s the guy this year. If he isn’t ready to go because of his offseason shoulder surgery either Sammy Morris or Kevin Faulk will be asked to carry the load initially and that’s not what we’re looking for. - FK

Moss, the guy is just a polarizing figure and it will tough to take your eyes off of him. - PP

Laurence Maroney. Sure, everyone’s excited about the passing game, but every great offense needs balance. Maroney and the running game should provide that…if his surgically repaired shoulder responds to the constant pounding. Close second: linebacker Pierre Woods. - ES

What will be the best positional battle of camp?

Again, I’m going with safety. Is there a position on the team that offers more intrigue? I don’t think so. We have Harrison’s overall health. Eugene Wilson returning from an injury and trying to bounce back from two subpar seasons. There’s first-round draftee Brandon Meriweather and up-and-comer James Sanders both looking to make an impact. Sanders, in particular, is on the road to becoming a very good player for the Patriots in my opinion. Throw in Artrell Hawkins and my man Rashad Baker and safety is going to be a position to watch closely throughout training camp. - TC

Another boring answer here sticking with my overall theme, but it has to be receiver. While I do think there is a ton more talent at the position I’m not sure how the roles are going to play out. Most people just pencil Moss and Donte’ Stallworth into the starting lineup but I’m not so sure. And the battle for the last couple roster spots at the position could be very interesting. - AH

No doubt, cornerback — and they’ll have the wide receivers to go up against to prove themselves. - FK

Top to bottom it will be wide receiver. For a starting job, I’d say right tackle with Nick Kaczur, Ryan O’Callaghan and maybe even Wesley Britt all in the running. - PP

Wide receiver, with thirteen pass-catchers vying for approximately half that number of roster spots. One or two may end up on the practice squad. Some of those who are cut may end up on other NFL teams. Close second: cornerback, if Samuel’s expected holdout is a protracted one. - ES

Which player could be a surprise training camp casualty?

Nick Kaczur. There are two kinds of people in this world. Those who think Kaczur will be the starting right tackle and those who believe it will be second-year man Ryan O’Callaghan. I’m in the O’Callaghan camp. If O’Callaghan does win the job, like I think he will, that means Kaczur could be battling Wesley Britt for a roster spot. I know it’s not likely but if Kaczur doesn’t improve on his average play soon, he could be gone. -TC

Jabar Gaffney. Last we saw of this midseason addition he was putting up huge receiving numbers in that postseason. Those were great and helped the team last January, but I think Gaffney’s overall talents are behind those of other receivers on the roster. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him let go in the final wave of cuts. - AH

This is the toughest question on the list. I’ll have to go with Josh Miller if one of the two young punters blows everyone away. - FK

Reche Caldwell. If all the new receivers fit in quickly, his days could be numbered. - PP

Kelley Washington. Yes, he was a high-profile free agent signing, but that’s no guarantee he’ll make the team. Remember Eric Warfield last summer? - ES

Who is your dark horse to make the roster?

Rashad Baker. I know he was on the team last year but with Meriweather now in the mix, I don’t think many people have Baker making the final 53. Don’t ask me why but I love Baker for some reason. There’s just something about the way he plays the game. He’s got grit and moxie. Baker just looks like a Bill Belichick-kind of player to me. He’ll knock your head off in the secondary and Baker is also a solid special teams player. I know the numbers are against him but I really believe Baker finds a way to defy the odds and earn a roster spot. You heard it here first. - TC

Danny Baugher. He’s coming off a big NFL Europa season (if there is such a thing) and I think Josh Miller is hearing the footsteps and may be worried about his job. I still think Miller has the upper hand in the punting battle as long as he has a decent camp. But Baugher is there in case he doesn’t. - AH

Justise Hairston. He could come out of nowhere and be the guy who backs up Maroney. - FK

Justin Rogers. I like his athleticism and pass rushing resume. - PP

I like several guys here, including QB Matt Gutierrez, CB Mike Richardson, and LB Oscar Lua. But it seems every year under Belichick, a rookie free agent makes the team somehow. I say that trend continues. There seems to me more of an opportunity at corner than at linebacker, so I’m going with Larry Anam, the rookie from Boston College. - ES

Will Asante Samuel report to the team during training camp?

Yes, he’ll show up. I say Samuel is back before the third preseason game. This way he gets to prove some kind of point but also return in time to prepare for the season opener. As long as Samuel is ready to go by Week 1, Patriots Nation will be happy. I would be shocked if Samuel wasn’t in the starting lineup against the Jets. - TC

What’s the definition of training camp? If we are talking about the public portions of camp that end in mid-August, then I don’t think Samuel will be in attendance. I do, however, expect the franchised cornerback to report to the team sometime in late August and be in uniform for the season opener in New York. - AH

Yes, at some point. - FK (Thanks for the insight Fred. Hey, he’s not the best color man in the business for nothing folks)

Yes, sometime around Aug. 15, which would give him a few weeks to get ready for the regular season while still saving a little face through his holdout. - PP

I’m a pessimist when it comes to contract squabbles. I say no, he’ll hold out into the regular season. I hope I’m wrong in this case. - ES