Tensions remain high at training camp.
Coming of off a season-ending injury last year, New England Patriots center Dan Koppen (67) works a blocking drill against tackle Nate Solder (77) as assistant head coach and offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia, left, shouts orders at practice during NFL football training camp in Foxborough, Mass., Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012.FOXBOROUGH – An isolated fight can be a good thing for a football team. It shows that the level of competition is high.
When those fights start occurring with regularity, it can signify potential problems.
So it makes sense that members of the New England Patriots were concerned after two more fights broke out during Friday’s practice, just two days removed from the team's last scrum.
“Competition is a good thing,” linebacker Bobby Carpenter said. “Fighting is not. There’s a fine line between taking it to the whistle and taking it a little bit beyond.”
Things went beyond the line Friday. Carpenter and offensive lineman Ryan Wendell were at the heart of the first fight, with nearly everyone in uniform rushed out to join the pushing and shoving.
Less than five minutes later, offensive lineman Darrion Weems and defensive lineman Marcus Forston got involved in a tussle, causing Patrick Chung and others to get involved.
After the second incident, coach Bill Belichick sent the whole team on three laps. As they came back to the middle of the field, Tom Brady lead a players-only meeting before action resumed.
“Brady’s our leader. It’s Brady’s show,” running back Stevan Ridley said. “For him to say something, for him to voice his opinion, that’s nothing that we haven’t heard before. He’s only going to tell us what’s best for this team. … We all listen and key in when he talks.”
Prior to the fights taking place, tensions appeared high and there was some posturing taking place. Cornerback Kyle Arrington stood over wide receiver Julian Edelman and taunted him after breaking up a pass, and Edelman was later involved in a brief shoving match with rookie safety Tavon Wilson.
PRACTICE NOTES: Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd returned to practice and was a full participant after sitting out the last two days.
Rookie Nate Ebner also made his appearance on the field after sitting out the first week of camp with an undisclosed injury. Rookie defensive end Jake Bequette also returned after sitting out Thursday.
Fullbacks Spencer Larsen and Tony Fiametta; tight end Visanthe Shiancoe; offensive linemen Brian Waters, Logan Mankins and Sebastian Vollmer; defensive lineman Myron Pryor; and cornerback Alfonzo Dennard were among those who did not participate.
SCHEDULE: The New England Patriots will take Saturday off before returning to practice Sunday at 1:30 p.m. They will be joined by the New Orleans Saints to conduct joint practices on Tuesday and Wednesday.