Quarterback Brett Favre’s signing with the Jets makes them more competitive, says Pats owner Robert Kraft.

AP / Ed Betz

FOXBORO — Patriots owner Robert Kraft took some time out from helping area homeowners to talk some football yesterday, specifically about Brett Favre’s arrival to the New York Jets and his own rookie players.

“It’s great for the NFL, it’s great for the AFC East, and it’s great for CBS — I know they’re ecstatic,” Kraft said of the network that carries most AFC games. “I like the last time we played the Packers; if it can be like that it would be good [New England won, 35-0, in Green Bay in 2006]. But he beat us in the Super Bowl in ’96 and I remember that long pass he threw (to Antonio Freeman) — that was not a great way to start. I think he still has more wins against us; he’s one of the few active players who has more wins against us than losses. I hope we can straighten that record out.”

Favre is 3-2 for his career against the Patriots, including his lone Super Bowl title, but New England has won 10 of its last 11 meetings with the rival Jets.

Kraft added that he thinks Miami benefited from the Favre trade as well, as the Dolphins signed former Jets starter Chad Pennington, and he welcomes the challenge of a stronger division.

As for rookie Jerod Mayo, who played in his first NFL game Thursday night, Kraft said, “He’s great. The whole crop of young linebackers really did themselves well and it was great to see. It’s great to have football back.”

But Kraft skirted the issue when asked about a potential extension for the face of the franchise, Tom Brady, whose contract expires after the 2010 season with salary cap hits of $14 million in each of the last two years.

“I think we’ll let contract decisions go with people who handle it,” Kraft said.

Gillette Stadium hosted a foreclosure-prevention workshop yesterday, as the Kraft family teamed with Massachusetts Governor Patrick, community groups and about 20 lenders to help area families who may be having difficulty in these tough economic times.

Here and there

The Pats held their 21st practice of training camp yesterday on the fields behind Gillette Stadium in full pads. Though there were some moments of sunshine, it also rained during the session.

Some notes from the two-hour workout:

•Although safety James Sanders returned, there were 19 players not on the field: QB Matt Gutierrez, WR Kelley Washington, CB Jason Webster, CB Jonathan Wilhite, CB Antwain Spann, CB Lewis Sanders, RB LaMont Jordan, CB Mike Richardson, S Rodney Harrison, FB Kyle Eckel, G Stephen Neal (PUP), T Ryan O’Callaghan, G/C Russ Hochstein, T Matt Light, T Oliver Ross (PUP), TE Stephen Spach, WR Sam Aiken, DL Le Kevin Smith, DL Mike Wright;

•In 7-on-7 work, Tom Brady threw deep for Chad Jackson, who had good separation on Ellis Hobbs. But the ball went off the hands of the struggling Jackson, who started camp well but has not maintained that level as the days have passed. Jeff Shoate broke up a pass intended for Jackson from Matt Cassel during this drill;

•In 11-on-11 work: C.J. Jones, who had some difficulties against the Ravens last week, caught a deep ball from Brady, beating Brandon Meriweather. The entire defense, including D-line coach Pepper Johnson and linebackers coach Matt Patricia, had to run a lap at one point and was met by head coach Bill Belichick.

smanza@projo.com