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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots wide receiver Brandon LaFell began practicing Wednesday. It is the first week he is eligible to do so after missing the first six weeks on the physically unable to perform list. LaFell missed the entire offseason due to a foot injury that dates back to late last season.
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While quarterback Tom Brady has no say on the decision regarding when LaFell gets back to game action, which could come as soon as Sunday against the New York Jets, he does very much look forward to getting back the guy who set career highs with 74 catches for 953 yards and seven touchdowns a year ago in his first and only season in New England.
"He's definitely working hard, so it's a great thing," Brady said. "He's been a great contributor to our team since he got here. It'll be fun when he's back out there, hopefully soon."
--Defensive lineman Dominique Easley, New England's first-round pick a year ago, notched his first sack of the season Sunday when he beat Colts center Khaled Holmes off the line with his quickness to before getting to quarterback Andrew Luck. Easley had one sack as a rookie a year ago before landing on injured reserve after 11 games with a knee injury.
When healthy, the former Florida star is expected to display that first-step quickness with regularity.
"I think that's definitely a strength of his," coach Bill Belichick said. "He's a very explosive player, and he does have very good initial quickness. A lot of times he wins right off the bat on the play -- first, second step."
--Brady has seen a lot of Darrelle Revis in his career. Most of it was in the cornerback's first tour of duty with the Jets. However, last fall, the Patriots quarterback got to view Revis' ability up close as a teammate and practice-field defender. Clearly, he was impressed with what he saw.
"There was a lot of competition in practice last year with him, and he makes it tough," Brady said. "His instincts are incredible out there. He's one of those guys who sees everything on the field. He sees the formations and routes and splits and anything pre-snap that can help him get an idea of whether the ball is coming his way or if it's going the other or if it's a run or pass or deep throw or short throw.
"He's a very dependable, consistent player. He's been an incredible playmaker since he's been in the league. He covers the top guys every week. I got a firsthand look at that last year every day in practice, and it was great to have him play a part here, but he moved on, so now he's our competition again."
NOTES: CB Cortland Finnegan, who started 12 games last season for the Dolphins, reportedly worked out with the Patriots on Wednesday. The veteran free agent played eight years in the NFL, earning All-Pro honors with the Titans in 2008. ... T Brennan Williams joined the Patriots' practice squad on Tuesday as the team deals with injury issues at the position. ... FB Joey Iosefa was added to New England's practice squad Wednesday. ... C Bryan Stork (concussion) returned to the practice field Wednesday. The second-year lineman is on injured reserve with a designation to return, and though he can get back on the practice field, he cannot return to the roster until after Week 8.
