Refs on hand, situational football focus of practice
The Patriots conducted their Thursday afternoon in full pads after wearing shells in their in-stadium practice session on Wednesday evening.
As Bill Belichick pointed out in his press conference before practice, the prep for the first preseason game against the Packers began as referees will be on hand for three straight practices to acclimate players to the way games will be called. It is training camp for the officials as well as their now seeing their first live football of the season. The first game vs Green Bay is now less than a week away.