The team just concluded a 45-minute walk-through practice. Players wore shorts, no helmets or pads.

Eight players not present for Sunday’s session included WR Kelley Washington, CB Ellis Hobbs, G Stephen Neal, OL Oliver Ross, TE Benjamin Watson, LB Bo Ruud, DL Jarvis Green, and DL Mike Wright.

Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker was present and participated in the walk-through.

My apologies for the lack of blogging this afternoon. I was obviously all set up at the start of practice and had a grand total of one entry under my belt when my laptop made a blastoff sound and shut down for the duration of the workout. My guess is it was battery related since as I’ve returned to my desk with power it seems to be running fine. Anyway, that is why the blogs stopped abruptly. But I’ve posted a full update on Patriots.com for anyone who’s actually wasting time on such a glorious day. Thanks, and once again, my apologies.

One of the lighter moments of practice always happens before the team work begins when Brad Seely gets in some work for his special teams units. On Saturday, the early focus was on kick returns, but the funny stuff came in watching the scout team covering the kicks. For these drills anyone can step in and serve as a cover man and that means everyone. Watching Vince Wilfork on one sideline and Dan Koppen on the others “racing” downfield is a sight to behold. It’s not often that 300-plus-pounders are asked to run 40 yards and watching these guys maneuver their way through traffic is comical to say the least.

Practice just ended, but not before K Stephen Gostkowski took about 10 field goal attempts. He missed only a couple.

Practice resumes at 10:45 am. Sunday is an afternoon start. PFW will be there as wel.

It’s all 22 in the red zone, with Cassel under center. With starting RG Stephen Neal not practicing, T Nick Kaczur assumed his spot, with third-year man Ryan O’Callaghan at the RT position. The defense had a good stop at the goal line again, knocking down a Cassel pass at the last minute.

The offense has moved back inside its own 20, going out. Cassel still calling signals and moving the offense to midfield.