As Tom Casale would say, “My battery is about to die.” Gotta go. Practice is coming to an end. James Sanders just made another nice play helping break up a pass intended for Reche Caldwell in the end zone. The defense then ended on the strong note with a Mike Vrabel pick of a Tom Brady pass in what was set up as an end-of-game situation. Vrabel held the ball in the air before sliding safely to the turf. I guess he learned from the Chargers mistake.

There is a new defensive body on the field for today’s practice. He’s a defensive back wearing No. 38 in blue. According to various published reports he is Dante Wesley, a defensive back who may have been acquired in a trade with the Bears. We’ll have more on the new No. 38 later. So far he’s been spending a lot of time on the sidelines with secondary coach Joel Collier. Obviously, he’s got some catching up to do learning the defense more than a week into training camp.

If it is a trade with the Bears, it will be another in a line of training camp deals between the two teams in recent years. The biggest (see what I did there) came with the addition of nose tackle Ted Washington in camp prior to the 2003 Super Bowl season. 

It came against a scout offense led by Matt Gutierrez, but Tedy Bruschi just recorded an interception from New England’s sub defense. Bruschi cut in front of a short route and ran straight for the end zone.

Gutierrez continued to struggle later in his scout work, throwing another pick to Gemara Williams.

Things just haven’t been going all that way for the defense today. That reached a peak when Matt Cassel fired a short out in Bam Childress’ direction. Ellis Hobbs had the play well covered and the ball hit the corner in the hands. Unfortunately for the defense, the ball deflected off Hobbs’ hands and landed with Childress for the completion. Beyond James Sanders, the D can’t seem to buy a break as practice has continued.

Ever since Tom Brady yelled at him early in practice, the best-dressed QB in the business can’t stop throwing in the direction of Garrett Mills. The second-year tight end must have caught 10 balls in the last half hour.

Donte’ Stallworth also just made a catch crossing the field in 7 on 7 work. STallworth showed good speed crossing left to right, catching the ball and turning it on down the right side.

 And for the second time today, Sammy Morris made a nice catch deep down the sideline. This time he beat Eric Alexander down the left side, extending his arms fully for the grab.

A pigeon with a death wish was just standing on the field through a full play of practice. AFter the play Eugene Wilson chased the bird away. That’s the insight you only get here at PFW.