Patriots Set To Start 2009 Camp

The official end of summer isn’t until late September. For many people the unofficial end of summer is Labor Day. For others the start of Patriots training camp signals that there isn’t a whole lot of summer left. With camp starting today, those people are digging their Bruschi jerseys (Hi, Tony!) and Belichick hoodies out of the closet in preparation for the new season.

With Ian Rapoport on board, the Boston Herald has renamed their Patriots blog from The Point After to The Rap Sheet. Rapoport has posted an introduction on the blog, where he tells you a little about himself and what he hopes to do with his coverage. He also notes that comments are turned back on, and asks readers to behave themselves there.

Over in the Metro, I’ve got a few Media storylines to look for in Patriots training camp. On Patriots Daily, the first post of the day is a preview of the all-important cornerback position. Last night, Dan Snapp posted that Brett Favre did the Vikings a favor.

On the first day of camp, Mike Reiss reports that Vince Wilfork will be in camp, though his agent expresses that he is “terribly disappointed” in the talks with the Patriots and that they haven’t agreed on “what a player of Vince Wilfork’s value truly is” and that the situation is “unjust.” Great. Nice way to kick off camp.

Christopher L. Gasper peeks at a few positional battles to keep an eye on in the coming weeks. Spots include outside linebacker, right tackle and the third receiver. Karen Guregian trots out five areas to watch in camp, including health and contract status of key players. Christopher Price also has a number of things we need to look out for during camp. Jonathan Comey asserts that Bill Belichick has some questions to answer about this team. Mark Farinella says that everything hinges on Brady, but also lists out five other areas of “moderate concern” about the team. Shalise Manza Young runs through the training camp roster to look for areas of competition.

 Brian MacPherson examines what impact the Matt Cassel/Mike Vrabel trade will have on this year’s Patriots.  Glen Farley says that Tom Brady should be a sight for sore eyes this summer. Gasper reports on the Patriots getting a deal done with sixth round draft pick Jake Ingram, the long snapper from Hawaii. Guregian looks at a few key Patriots that will need to make big contributions this season. David Pevear counts down the 10 craziest moments in Patriots history.

Another sure sign that football season is here  is Dan Shaughnessy whining about the “secrecy and self-importance” of the Patriots. Oh wait, he does that year-round. My bad. Today he tries to have a little fun with the new hotel that overlooks the Patriots practice fields. The only problem is that Mark Farinella has already covered all this ground, something even Shaughnessy himself in the column readily admits. Way to be out in front of a story that no one really cared about in the first place, Dan. That’s why you’re at the top of your profession.