FOXBORO — Few opportunities to enjoy professional sports come as cheap as a trip to Patriots Place for training camp with the New England Patriots.
Parking and admission are free. It's a fan's one chance to nudge up tight on their football heroes, maybe even get a shot to say hello after practice.
Yes, it can get hot, and practices are often hit or miss. I pray every year that my visits don't coincide with Bill Belichick's days devoted to working the off-tackle running game.
It's a heck of a lot more fun watching Tom Brady let the football fly.
So here's all you need to know about the upcoming Pats camp, which officially opens on Thursday.
HOW LONG IS CAMP
Training camp opens Thursday with a pair of practices tentatively slated for 9:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m.
Camp is scheduled to close on August 16, when practices are no longer open to the public. Daily sessions often fluctuate. Some days there is just one session, which typically will be held at 2:30 p.m.
The Patriots Experience for the children, which features carnival style, interactive activities for the young and the young at heart, is open as well during practice days.
Before heading to Patriots Place, be sure to call the training camp hotline at 508-549-0001 for changes and schedules.
THE 2010 BONUS
In addition to usual intra-squad practice sessions, at least two days of practice leading up to the first exhibition will feature scrimmaging with the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints.
That game is August 12, so be ready for some special fun in the days before it.
FIVE TOP STORY LINES OF CAMP
1. Will Tom Brady show up? The QB has made it clear that he's unhappy with the offseason contract negotiations for an extension with the team.
He's got one year left on his current deal. One way to let the team know he's serious about it could be by holding out.
2. Is Welker's knee really OK? The offseason news has been spectacular on Wes Welker's knee.
Word has crept out of Foxboro that the receiver is way ahead on his recovery from reconstructive surgery. If he can make it back for the season opener, this team is incrementally better than you might have expected.
3. Is there a playmaker on defense? Darius Butler, Brandon Spikes, Devin McCourty, Pat Chung ... This Patriots defense craves a young, impact player. Right now, it's a dull group missing an identity. Belichick has to find a star he can ride somewhere on defense.
4. Who's putting it on the line? The offensive line could be in a state of flux. Will Logan Mankins show up? Will he ever play for the Pats again? Is the team ready to unseat Matt Light at left tackle with Sebastian Vollmer? There could be a shakeup up front as this group bids to return to its dominant form of 2007.
5. Which old man can play? David Patten, Torry Holt, Damione Lewis, Gerard Warren, Alge Crumpler ... Belichick has loaded up his roster with new faces from the 30-something set. But can any of them help?
FIVE TOP COMPLEMENTS TO CAMP
Take it from me, you can't build a whole day around training camp. It's a two-hour tour, and that doesn't include your travel.
The best thing you can do is plan your day around camp plus another destination. Here are five you might want to try.
1. Shopping — Between Patriots Place (the Bass Pro Shop is a personal favorite), the Wrentham Outlets and Legacy Place in Dedham, there are ample opportunities to shop till you drop, either before or after.
2. The Freedom Trail — Hey, it's an oldie, but for traditionalists, it's a trip that has stood the test of time. The 30-minute jaunt back up into Boston shortens that ride home. And don't forget to stop at Mike's Pastry in the North End for a cannoli.
3. Battleship Cove — My personal favorite in Fall River, it's billed as the world's largest naval ship museum.
4. Try your luck — A few miles down into Rhode Island, and those of you older than 21 can try your luck at Twin Rivers slots.
The more adventurous type also knows the Connecticut casinos are about an hour or so from the stadium down I-95.
5. Rox around the clock — Depending on which direction you choose, there's always another cheap entertainment standby, minor league baseball, about a half-hour to 40 minutes away — either with the Brockton Rox or Worcester Tornadoes.
Check the schedule, football in the afternoon and baseball at night. Both parks are great, and you'll get away for a whole day of family fun under $100.
TRAINING CAMP DO'S, DON'TS
ÔÇæ Don't be too prompt. The best parts of practice come after the first 30 minutes or so of warmup. Also, the players are much more accessible after practice. So in this case, being a bit late is fashionable and smart.
ÔÇæ Do pay close attention to the receivers and defensive backs. That's the one spot of battle where the average fan can sort out the players from the soon-to-be cut.
ÔÇæ Don't bring your pets, alcoholic beverages, beach balls, air horns, coolers, fireworks or video cameras.
ÔÇæ Do bring a few bucks for refreshments, food and souvenirs — yes, at stadium prices.
ÔÇæ Don't expect a 10-minute one-on-one with Tom Brady or Randy Moss. It's not going to happen.
ÔÇæ Do expect to have professional athletes treat you with dignity and respect with a heavy dose of kindness and humanity.
These are good guys, trying to work in a tough atmosphere who do respect your devotion to them.
Stoglin's frustrations boil over following Duke loss-2/12
Timonen "disappointed" in teammates' effort
Morganti: 'Rangers' power play demolished the Flyers'
Timonen: 'I think we got half the guys going and half the guys not'
More shootout woes in store for the Flyers when they face the Red Wings?
The Rangers have the Flyers' number
St. Joseph's vs. Massachusetts Highlights - 2/11
Penn vs. Dartmouth Highlights - 2/11
Drexel vs. Hofstra Highlights - 2/11
La Salle vs. St. Louis Highlights - 2/11
John Wall talks about the loss to the Heat-2/10
Collins takes the blame for the Sixers' final possession
Sixers vs. Clippers highlights
Sixers defensive effort not enough vs. Clippers
Post game plus crew on the Sixers loss
Rose and Zumoff recap the Sixers last second loss
Penn vs. Harvard highlights
Stefon Diggs chooses Maryland, Randy Edsall comments-2/10
Cal Ripken says the Orioles will go as far as their pitching-2/10
Sandusky makes a statement
Julien: 'did it the hard way'
McAdam's Spring Training primer
Doc: Team's effort is 'un-Celtic'
Pierce stresses mental toughness
Globe 10.0 Who was the best free agent in Boston?
Maria Menounos dons a Giants-colored bikini after losing Super Bowl bet-2/7
Thomas' moratorium: 'I'm out, peace'
Gasol: 'Not pleasant' being part of trade rumor
Blakely: Gasol-for-Rondo trade unlikely
Brady-ing is Latest Internet Meme
Globe 10.0: Is Paul Pierce the Celtics greatest scorer?
Ranking Pierce among Celtics greats
Garnett's tale of first meeting Paul Pierce
Pierce's loyalty touted after big night
Hurt Locker: Patriots react to Super Bowl loss
Brown: 'Eli Manning is better than Tom Brady'
Local fans crushed by Patriots loss in Super Bowl XLVI
Marcus Johansson Caps lone goal in loss to Bruins-2/5
Matt Hendricks throws down with the Bruins' Adam McQuaid--2/5
Vinatieri, Law, Brown recount Super Bowl XXXVI
