FOXBOROUGH — Monday’s training-camp practice was going to be circled on the calendar for every player on the Patriots’ 90-man roster.
For the first time in camp, the pads were going to be put on and contact was permitted during competitive team drills.
It’s a major step forward in New England’s preseason ramp-up, giving New England’s coaching staff a more thorough look at various roster battles once the physicality and competition starts to ramp up.
And on Monday morning, the Patriots’ roster needed a refresher from their head coach when it comes to the double-edged sword that full-contact practices can become.