New England opens training camp today without several key players and coaches who helped the team win two straight Super Bowls.

01:00 AM EDT on Friday, July 29, 2005

BY TOM E. CURRAN
Journal Sports Writer

They'll open the gates at Gillette Stadium today and the first full-squad practices of Training Camp 2005 will begin without Ty Law, Romeo Crennel, Charlie Weis, Ted Johnson, Tedy Bruschi, Joe Andruzzi, David Patten, Roman Phifer and -- very possibly -- Richard Seymour.

From their critics, the New England Patriots will get a long and consistent shin-kicking about their chances of winning a third straight Super Bowl.

Those who observe the team for either business or pleasure will get in plenty of navel-gazing and hand-wringing.

Certainly, this offseason dotted with departures that were both anticipated and unforeseen will force the Patriots to reinvent themselves. But they do that. All the time.

Asked what kind of team he was leaving behind, middle linebacker Ted Johnson said after retiring yesterday morning, "I'm optimistic. I'm not a betting man, but if I were it would be hard for me to bet against any Bill Belichick team."

Belichick, his staff and players have worked season-long miracles before. In 2001, they won the Super Bowl with a collection of key players that were of little use to the rest of the league. In 2003, they dealt with waves of injuries and forced rookies into key roles and won again. Last year, they survived an infestation of injuries in their secondary and beat glory boys Peyton (Manning) and Donovan (McNabb) in the playoffs for their third title.

If any other team at any other time had the kind of offseason the Pats have had, they would be reasonably disheartened about their chances. But that's not likely to be the sentiment in Foxboro.

The events of the past week, however, have shaken things up especially on the defense.

First, Bruschi made it official that he wasn't playing. Now Johnson retires. Then there's the ongoing uncertainty with Seymour.

The most immediate issue has to be at inside linebacker, where both Johnson and Bruschi played. The team signed Monty Beisel and Chad Brown and drafted Ryan Claridge. They even moved Mike Vrabel inside for some reps during mini-camp. But without Johnson, this team now lacks a pure inside run-stuffer for first and second down.

The call could go out to Roman Phifer (calls to the former Patriot went unreturned) to come back, but he's not a classic run-stopping guy.

Anyone else in the fold at this time -- Larry Izzo, Matt Chatham, Eric Alexander -- is really raw at that spot.

The Patriots' defense has been so strong up the middle for the past few seasons from the line to the secondary. Now it's in a real state of flux and the defense as a whole is under the guidance of a new coordinator, Eric Mangini. Of course, Mangini's been in the system for eons, but the fact remains he is not the same guy as the last guy (Crennel).

Offensively, there are far fewer issues of note at the moment. The only questions are, "Who's going to call the plays?" and "Can Logan Mankins start at right guard?" Not earthshakers.

The return game may be facing an early manpower issue. All three of the guys presumed to be in the mix for kickoff return duties -- Chad Morton, Bethel Johnson and Tim Dwight -- are starting camp on the physically unable to perform list.

What this all means is: forget about the reigning champions coming into camp fat and happy and getting ready for a leisurely run-up to the season.

The Patriots are going to hit the ground running today. Just like their head coach likes it.

Patriots training camp

DATES

From today through Tuesday, Aug. 16.

SITE

Practice field behind Gillette Stadium.

PARKING AND ENTRANCE FEES

Parking and admission are free.

CAMP INFORMATION

All practice times are subject to change without notice. For latest news, call the Patriots Hotline at (508) 549-0001 or visit www.patriots.com

DAILY SCHEDULE

TODAY -- Practices at 8:45-10:45 a.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m.

TOMORROW -- Practice at 2:30-4:30 p.m.

SUNDAY -- Practices at 8:45-10:45 a.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m.

MONDAY -- Practice at 2:30-4:30 p.m.

TUESDAY -- Practice at 8:45-10:45 a.m. A night practice for season-ticket holders only will be held inside Gillette Stadium, beginning at 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY -- Practice at 2:30-4:30 p.m.

THURSDAY -- Practice at 8:45-10:45 a.m. A night practice, closed to the public, will be held inside Gillette Stadium, beginning at 7 p.m.

REMAINDER OF DATES -- To be announced.

EXHIBITION GAMES

FRIDAY, AUG. 12 -- at Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, AUG. 18 -- vs. New Orleans, 8 p.m.

FRIDAY, AUG. 26 -- at Green Bay, 7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 1 -- vs. N.Y. Giants, 8 p.m.

Digital Extra: See a complete guide to Patriots training camp, as told by Patriots' 2003 Fan of the Year Karen Cardoza to Journal sports writer Carolyn Thornton, at:

http://projo.com/patriots/trainingcamp101