Patriots Daily: Training camp kicks off July 27th

All but one offseason phase remains for the Patriots and now it has a start date. The Patriots have announced that training camp will kick off in Foxboro on July 27th. Rookies are set to report to the team’s facility on July 24th, with veterans strolling in on the 26th.

With plenty of new faces wearing the Flyin’ Elvis on the sides of their helmets, it’s hard to contain the excitement. The most recent addition, former Jet linebacker David Harris, was signed after all of the Patriots OTA’s but presumably will be ready to go in five weeks with his new teammates. Other new additions such as Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks will be seen for the first time in full pads. Much to the delight of the fans and media.

Until then, we must suffer through the slowest time on the NFL calendar.

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David Harris contract terms release

As mentioned before, the Patriots and David Harris agreed to a contract earlier in the week. Harris was released by the Jets earlier in the offseason as part of their veteran purge. Shortly after the signing, the terms were revealed, shedding light on Harris’ future with the team.

The contract comes with a base salary of $5 million with incentives to reach the $6.75 million ceiling. $1.25 million of which fully guaranteed. The contract almost guarantees that Harris will be a part of the 53-man roster and not just a camp body. Last year Terrance Knighton came in with a bunch of fanfare because of his name. He was cut before the first game of the year.

This will not be the case with Harris. The durable linebacker has missed one game in the past eight seasons, and six over his 10-year career. He should slide in nicely next to Dont’a Hightower in the middle of the defense. Although not the player he once was, Harris will bring a ton of leadership and the hunger of a veteran seeking his first Super Bowl.

Malcolm Mitchell signs a book deal

By now, everyone should know the Malcolm Mitchell story. The fourth-round pick struggled to read his entire life and while at Georgia, he joined a Woman’s book club and his love for reading was born. In his short time with the Patriots, Mitchell has spread his message through his “Read with Malcolm” program. A program he started during his time at Georgia.

Already a self-published author, Mitchell now as a three-book deal with the Scholastic publishing company according to the New York Times. Along with two originals, Mitchells’ first book “The Magician’s Hat” will be the first to be redistributed next May.

For more information on the ‘Read With Malcolm’ program click here.

Robert Kraft and a horde of Football Hall of Famers return from Israel

For the second time in the last few years, Patriots owner Robert Kraft took a group on a week-long trip to Jerusalem. One of the goals of the trip is to increase the popularity of football overseas but it seemed to have a larger impact on some of the 18 hall of famers who took the trip.

Former Steelers’ great, Jerome Bettis, spoke about his experience and his week-long experience with the Patriots’ owner.

“To have the opportunity to spend some time with Robert Kraft, it was very enlightening,” said Bettis via Mike Reiss. “I got to see a different side of him, a side that under normal circumstances I would have never seen. We got a chance to talk about everything outside of football. I just got a sense that he’s a great man, a great attitude, a great way of life.”

“Having the opportunity for me and my wife to be baptized in the Jordan River, that was amazing. To have an opportunity, as a Christian, to see where Jesus Christ was born, was amazing. To go to the Church of Holy Sepulchre, those kind of things, things I read about in a Bible but to actually have an opportunity to walk and see it with my own eyes, they were amazing.”

Roger Goodell tags along for the trip

Some of the other players on the trip included Andre Reed, Joe Greene, Cris Carter, Andre Tippett, and Joe Montana. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell also took part in the trip and spoke about the relationship of he and Mr. Kraft.

“Robert is very important to me personally,” Goodell said, via Allon Sinai of the Jerusalem Post. “My friendship with Robert was never strained. We both understand that we have jobs. I know how important this is for him. My respect and admiration for him has never waned. We believe our best days are ahead.”

Robert Kraft took a slightly different tone when asked about the comments. Although the comments were not made with the veracity of some of the previous statements, it still shows that their relationship suffered a bit.

“I don’t hold grudges but I never forget,” Kraft explained via WEEI. “Sometimes people mess up at when they’re doing their jobs, but in most organizations, people make bad decisions. I’m about the present and the future.”

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– Ian Glendon is the Managing Editor for cover32/Patriots and covers the NFL and New England Patriots. Like and follow on Follow @iglen31 Follow @cover32_NE and Facebook.

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