The Facts: With his new team in full pads for the first time in training camp -- which HC Bill Belichick said is the start of "real training camp" -- Belichick made sure one of the toughest plays in football was on the practice itinerary Saturday. Ball on the 2-yard line. Running play. Live, with full tackling. Can the offense punch it in? Gillislee, who is the top candidate to replace LeGarrette Blount in those situations, made it look easy as he took the top two reps. "Two yards -- I feel like I have to get that," Gillislee said afterward. "I just turn my whole mindset around and know that I have to those two yards to get in the end zone."
Diehards Line:
For what it's worth, after Gillislee’s successful rushes, the Patriots turned to Rex Burkhead for the final two repetitions. Burkhead appeared to be stopped on the first attempt, and it was close on the second. ... According to ESPN.com's Mike Reiss, Gillislee said he’s never been part of a backfield as talented as the Patriots have from top to bottom, with him, James White, Dion Lewis, Burkhead, Brandon Bolden, D.J. Foster and LeShun Daniels Jr. If Saturday’s practice is the true indication, Gillislee is getting the first crack at Blount’s old job as the goal-line back. And he couldn’t have gotten off to a more decisive start.