With over two weeks of practice completed and the first preseason game coming up, a few observations on progress so far are in order. One area of focus is the training camp competition for the defensive back positions, especially the cornerback spot of the departed Asante Samuel. This has not been decided by any means. Veteran CB Ellis Hobbs is now returning from injury and should be at full strength soon, as is S Rodney Harrison, both will be starters. We have seen nfl caliber play from rookie CB Terrance Wheatley. Nine-year veteran Jason Webster opened training camp with the first string at cornerback, but he’s been held out of recent practices, opening the door for second-round pick Terrence Wheatley to run with the 1s. Wheatley has been competitive – winning some battles, losing some others – but his high point seemed to come today. There was one second on the clock and the Patriots offense had one more crack at the end zone in two-minute work. It was no surprise that Tom Brady looked in Randy Moss’s direction in the back right-hand corner of the end zone. The ball was slightly under-thrown, which allowed Wheatley -- his back to the quarterback -- to stick his right hand in and knock the pass away from Moss. After the play, Wheatley leaped in the air along with safety Brandon Meriweather in a celebration similar to what Asante Samuel did last year. Earlier in practice, Wheatley was beaten on a long pass by Moss.

Rookie CB Johnathon Wilhite is also progressing well and looks to be in the mix as a backup this year. The versatility of second year DB Brandon Merriweather is likely to secure him a larger role as well but we cant overlook the experience of veterans Webster and Bryant and my view is that they have the edge to secure the main playing time spots.

Some other observations:

Potential springboard effort for Chad Jackson. If there was one play that stood out from the practice, it was a diving Chad Jackson catch on a laser of a throw from Tom Brady in 11-on-11 two-minute work. The offense was running out of time on the scoreboard clock in the back left-hand corner of the practice field, and was facing third down. Brady scanned his options but was forced to hold on to the ball a bit longer than he probably would have liked. Realizing that his time was running out, he unloaded a rocket about 10 yards down the field, along the numbers up the left side. The throw was to Jackson’s back shoulder and required the third-year wideout to lunge in the opposite direction of where his momentum was taking him. It was the type of play that bailed Brady out, and could be a potential springboard toward the two developing more chemistry. Earlier in the practice, however, the two did appear to have a miscommunication as a Brady throw to the sideline sailed out of bounds, as Jackson had run his route down the field instead of out.

Adalius Thomas and the pass rush. Whether in more individual-based drills or in 11-on-11 work, Adalius Thomas has been honing in on his pass-rush work. On the far end of the field, in a drill where offensive linemen go one-on-one against defensive linemen and outside linebackers, Thomas plowed through right guard Billy Yates in one sequence, which had Yates clapping his hands together in frustration. And in 11-on-11 work, Thomas was regularly pressing the pocket, slicing through the line of scrimmage from a variety of angles. Unlike Thomas’s first training camp with the Patriots – when he was lining up mostly at inside linebacker and focusing on the run – he’s been in more of an attacking mode this year and seems to be adding a different dynamic to the defense.

A snapshot look at the Patriots' draft class and some of the first impressions after watching them through 10 training camp practices:

• LB Jerod Mayo (1st round) -- Takes control when called upon in sub packages. Shows a little bit of everything a team would want in a linebacker -- power (in rush drills), speed (in 11-on-11 work, covering a RB), and smarts (leading the defense).

• CB Terrence Wheatley (2nd round) -- Has shown speed and ability to change directions, while not backing down from the challenge of facing Randy Moss. The recent absence of Jason Webster has elevated him to the first unit, and he hasn't backed down.

• OLB Shawn Crable (3rd round) -- His pure physical presence (6-5, 243) makes him stand out among the crowd, and he's shown up in pass-rush work (several pressures, a deflection) coming off the defensive right side.

• QB Kevin O'Connell (3rd round) -- Has been the fourth quarterback to take part in drills, but in the limited 11-on-11 full-team work in which he's participated, he's shown signs of promise.

• CB Jonathan Wilhite (4th round) -- Most recently has been working in the slot and showed up in the kicking game as a gunner at a recent practice.

• WR/S/KR Matthew Slater (5th round) -- Has seemingly worked more at receiver than safety, and is one of the faster players on the field, which is seen in kickoff return work.

• ILB Bo Ruud (6th round) -- Has yet to practice with an undisclosed injury.

Thats it for now, more later after a preseason game or two, GO PATRIOTS!