Boston has long been known as a baseball town, but the Patriots might be changing that perception. With the Red Sox having a subpar season, local fans have quickly turned their attention to the Patriots by coming to camp at Gillette Stadium in droves. Every day a new record seems to be set with upward of 17,000 fans in attendance. 

Who’s here: WR Brandon Lloyd has lived up to his billing as a huge threat in Josh McDaniels' offense. QB Tom Brady and Lloyd have hooked up on several big plays already in camp. First-round picks Chandler Jones and Dont'a Hightower have already received plenty of reps with the first team at defensive end and strongside linebacker, respectively. Jones has been more impressive in pass-rush drills than his reputation indicated. Two recent second-round picks, DE Jermaine Cunningham (2010) and DT Ron Brace (2009), have surged early in camp. Both were thought to be facing make-or-break camps.

Who’s not: The offensive line has been a wreck with starters Logan Mankins (ACL surgery), Sebastian Vollmer (back) and Brian Waters (hasn't reported) not in the lineup. Seventh-round CB Alfonzo Dennard was looked at as a possible steal in the draft but a hamstring injury has put him on the sideline. Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe (undisclosed) has been added to the injury list and defensive end Rob Ninkovich (undisclosed) sat out team drills on Sunday and Tuesday.

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