Reggie Wayne saw one pass come his way during Friday's game between the Patriots and Panthers. It skidded off of his hands and to the turf incomplete. After just two practices with the team this week, he saw 21 snaps in New England's 17-16 win.
The 15-year veteran has admitted that his plate feels pretty full as he tries to comprehend a new playbook while getting to know new teammates and coaches. At this point, though he's one of the most productive players in the history of the league, Wayne is just like some other new Patriots with plenty to absorb and only a short time to do it.
"A lot to learn in a few days," Belichick said in a conference call on Saturday. "Several players in that situation. [Tight end] Mike Williams, Reggie, [tight end] Asante Cleveland hasn't been here very long. We brought [offensive lineman] Chris Martin back. He's been here before so he's probably a little bit ahead. It's pretty common around the league to see that situation. You bring in a player at this point in training camp and you have to catch them up."
Part of the process of catching Wayne up should be helped by the fact that he saw as much time as he did on the field in Carolina.
"I think it's always good to get a game, game-speed timing and communication -- not necessarily verbal, but the timing and communication with the quarterback and the routes and so forth," Belichick said. "Practice is good, and that certainly helps, but it's never quite the same as a game. That's something we can learn from and build off of. You can go out there and practice all you want, but it's always a little different in the games, it's good to start that process. We've obviously got a long way to go, but we'll keep working on it."
Here are a few more notes from Belichick's conference call . . .
No update on fullback James Develin, who had to be carted off the field Friday with a broken leg: "He didn't come back with us on the trip. He's back there in Charlotte. Don't have anything at this point."
On what the Patriots may do to fill Develin's role: "We'll have to take a look at that. I'm not sure right now. It just happened last night so we'll take a look at what our options are, talk about the situation, figure out what we're trying to do."
On the benefits of experiencing a short week of preparation since the team had just two practices between their second and third preseason games, both on the road: "We had a good week of practice with New Orleans, it was a very competitive week, and then the game, and then the trip back, and this week of preparation on a short week. Turn around, travel down to Carolina to play a tough, physical team. I thought we competed well. There was certainly a lot of room for improvement, a lot of things we could've done better. I thought the players gave good effort, played with good energy. Just need to work to correct some of the things we need to do better."