A.M. practice wrap

Georgia - The Patriots first game is against the Cincinnati Bengals. With Carson Palmer, Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco, their secondary is going to be tested through the air.

And they'll need it to be a lot better than it looked during this morning's joint practice with the Atlanta Falcons.

In the span of about three plays during a 7-on-7 drill, Jonathan Wilhite got beaten long by Harry Douglas and then Terrence Wheatley saw a throw to Troy Bergeron sail over his head. Both throws went for scores. If they were keeping score.

And when the teams got together for 11-on-11 work, Bill Belichick said to his defense, "Do you think three deep balls is enough for today?" meaning, enough was enough. (I didn't see the third one, since the Pats' O and D were on different fields).

The triggerman on two of the bombs was backup Chris Redman.

The Patriots got some of their own over the top of the Falcons defense with Rey Maualuga dropping in a perfectly thrown 50-yarder over Christopher Owens. The margin between Moss and the defenders checking him both athletically and in experience still seems massive. He can't be covered for long.

A few other nuggets:

bullet.gif Former Patriot Ray Hamilton is the Falcons' defensive-line coach and he was tearing his players a new one throughout their drill with the Patriots offensive line. Dante Scarnecchia was at wits' end a few times, but not as loudly as Hamilton.

bullet.gif Talked to former NFL great, and current part owner of the Falcons, Andre Smith. He believes (as Len Pasquarelli mentioned to me as well) that these intersquad practices will be indispensable if the league goes to a 17 or 18-game schedule. Dunn also said he's got a trip to Fenway Park on his bucket list.

bullet.gif One of the nicest plays of the 7-on-7 was Taylor Price running a double move, post-corner and pulling in a timing throw from Brian Hoyer about 25 yards downfield. Low percentage but big gain.

bullet.gif Thomas Williams was at practice in his civvies. Among the Patriots not seen at practice were Leigh Bodden, Tully Banta-Cain, Gary Guyton, Jermaine Cunningham, Damione Lewis, Nick Kaczur and George Bussey.

bullet.gif Dan Klecko is with the Falcons as a fullback and is keeping his fingers crossed this will be a place he sticks.

bullet.gif Derrick Burgess looked outstanding in 1-on-1 drills against Falcons' linemen.