FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Cleaning out the training camp notebook with some random observations, thoughts, quotes and news items after the Patriots' 11th training camp practice on Tuesday:

1. Patriots players are often reluctant to assess one of their teammates when asked, as they take a cue from coach Bill Belichick, who would prefer they focus on themselves. It came up the other day when left tackle Nate Solder was asked about what it was like facing first-round draft choice Chandler Jones in practice, and declined to elaborate, instead focusing on the team's entire defensive end position. From a media perspective, that is part of what has been nice about having the Saints in town -- hearing their players' unfiltered thoughts on specific Patriots.

2. Along those lines, Saints safety Roman Harper on what he sees from the Patriots' offense: "They're going to be great. They have two amazing guys working the middle [in Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez], they have weapons all over the field, and I think Brandon Lloyd is going to be a big help to them, too. Then they'll be able to finish off games when they run the ball. As long as they have Tom Brady and the rest of the guys, they're going to be just fine."

3. One vote on the player who has had the most underrated camp for the Patriots: fourth-year offensive lineman Ryan Wendell. He has been rotating in at center with the top group, and if the Patriots had to start the season with him there, I think they'd be comfortable. He might be viewed as undersized at 6-foot-2 and 300 pounds, but he seems to play with solid technique and leverage.

4. Veteran linebacker Bobby Carpenter might have been viewed as a "bubble" guy by some, but based on the top defensive and special teams reps he's taking, it's hard to envision a scenario where he's not on the final 53-man roster.

5. Most "judges" agreed that the Saints looked like the sharper team on Tuesday, but what does that really mean? Players weren't reading too much into it. "You don't ever take too much from practice," Harper said. "Nobody is going to be perfect. That's why it's practice. You have different looks and different things you're trying to get done, and that's all it is. The one thing I'd say is that I liked the way we competed. That's the best thing about it."

6. Saints left tackle Jermon Bushrod used to go up against Rob Ninkovich in practice when both were in New Orleans. He enjoyed reconnecting with him Tuesday, as well as competing against him. "He a guy with a lot of energy, a high motor, He can come off the ball and give you a few different moves and he's a good physical player, a smart player," Bushrod said. "Obviously, Rob is doing something right. I'm very proud of Rob. He's always been a good friend." It's easy to forget now, but Ninkovich's career hit a fork in the road when the Saints -- who had been working him as a long snapper -- released him July 30, 2009. He signed with the Patriots four days later and has become a key cog on defense.