Title: Gasper: Observations from Patriots OTA

" Hi this is Chris -- for the Boston Globe reporting from Gillette Stadium this was the first day of OTA organized team activity. Activity. That was open to the media. However there was no Tom Brady inside as expected Brady did not participate today actually. He had not participate in this camp and -- which is mainly focused on rookies. Second year players and new veteran players like Fred Taylor and Chris Baker both of whom -- tenants also Vinny Ciurciu on the special teams side all of all in all 48 players were in attendance at this session. Even though Tom Brady wasn't here they were still a lot of questions about Tom Brady. Which are very deftly deflected by Kevin O'Connell who did take the majority that -- a quarterback with Brady out of the mix also Bryant where Matt Gutierrez getting back to quarterback. -- is that about brain said that he is very confident that Tom is working as hard as he possibly can which kind of that led to a smile from a lot of media members that was basically the Q and O'Connell was not going to really get anything away what he did say it was pretty interesting now is that he could just tell that the mood around the team in the mood -- the locker -- changes when Tom -- around any city really admired that leadership. Equality that Tom Brady had. We doubt about Kevin O'Connor I thought it looked pretty good today again at seven on seven you never want to make any judgments about guys in shorts. And when there's no pasteurized but it seemed like his delivery was a little bit smoother and he with a little more accurate. There -- some other second year players and I think some positives you can take out of this session. I thought Terrence Wheatley he looked better he's back from the wrist injury obviously he just seem more confident. That when he made a break in the bonding congress and on August seems more confident and comfortable in the system Shawn Crable obviously outside linebacker with the issue is that the patriots had kind of acquiring guys outside linebacker and throughout the hot season. Swinging and missing on Jason Taylor not picking -- anybody in the draft this could be really key year for Crable he looked a little bit bigger a little bit thicker he talked about spending a lot of time. During the offseason working with trading conditioning coach Mike what -- sick to improve his bow lake street the -- as mentioned at the coaches -- work with him to get a lower base when he plays into something kind of -- for credibly -- that basketball player built. He gets out he was just Mormon chair he knows what he needs to do remains to be -- actually be able to do it. When it comes of the veterans like Fred Taylor and Chris Baker did just trying to really get the playbook these guys know what it takes to be successful man now I think it's a great sign it Taylor was out here Taylor said the first. Order business and the most important thing. Very simple learn the playbook signing up from Gillette Stadium this is Chris -- for the Boston Globe."