FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Cleaning out the training camp notebook with some random observations, thoughts and news items from the Patriots' first training camp practice:

1. It sure looked like a tough day for the team's defensive backs. But then I'm reminded that maybe a grading curve should be kept in mind, as well as an overall perspective that it was just one day of work. After all, they were going against an on-fire Tom Brady and a group of pass-catchers that was on its game.

2. Coaches often say they want to go back to look at the tape before commenting. Along those lines, it stood out to me that offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels offered up, immediately after practice, that he thought receiver Wes Welker had a "really good day." Looks like the same old Wes -- long-term contract or no long-term contract.

3. Welker and owner Robert Kraft exchanged hellos at the practice, a visual for all to see that business had been left behind and it was on to football. Kraft arrived in the middle of a drill, and Welker headed over to shake his hand.

4. Saw a lot of linebacker Bobby Carpenter on the field.

5. Veteran Robert Gallery spent the majority of practice between two of the team's lesser-experienced blockers, working at right guard. While there will likely be a rotation in the practices to come -- that's the way the coaching staff works to build versatility -- I thought it was a positive sign for scrappy Ryan Wendell that he got the initial look at Logan Mankins' left guard spot over Gallery.

6. The offensive line should get a little bit of a boost today, numbers-wise, as rookie free agent Jeremiah Warren has been taken off the active/physically unable to perform list, as reported by colleague Mike Rodak. Warren, of South Florida, received the highest signing bonus/guaranteed money among the team's rookie free agents, which could reflect the team's higher viewpoint of him as a prospect.