… How's this for New England weathe: the start of Patriots practice was a perfect, crisp autumn day, with blue skies and sunshine. By the end of the 15 minutes or so that the media was allowed to watch, storm clouds overtook the area and it was raining. Conditions aside, the team was in shorts, shells, and helmets – and their distinctive 1985 Super Bowl-era throwback uniforms – for today's workout, held down on the single practice field behind Gillette Stadium.

… A long list of absentees following the physical game against the Raiders, which several players did not finish: wide receiver Julian Edelman (right ankle), running back Danny Woodhead (left ankle), linebacker Jerod Mayo (left knee), Sebastian Vollmer (back), tight end Aaron Hernandez (knee), and defensive linemen Albert Haynesworth (back) and Mike Wright (concussion).

… Cornerbacks Leigh Bodden (groin) and rookie Ras-I Dowling (hip), both inactive for the Oakland game, were back on the practice field for the start of today's session.

… As is customary following a victory, the Patriots awarded practice player of the week jerseys. The black shirts went to cornerback Antwaun Molden, rookie running back Shane Vereen, and practice squad o-lineman Matt Kopa.

… Defensive lineman Kyle Love and practice squad cornerback Josh Victorian had a black jerseys hanging in their lockers today, too, but Love was wearing a regular jersey at practice, and Victorian was informed before practice that he'd been released. Cornerback Sterling Moore, a 5-10, 190-pound rookie from SMU, was signed to take his place. Moore was in Oakland as recently as last week. New England also brought defensive back Ross Ventrone back to the practice squad after cutting him prior to the Raider game.

… Very active locker room interview period earlier today. An update will appear on patriots.com later this afternoon.

UPDATE … 4:08 p.m.

All seven players listed above as absent did indeed miss today's session entirely with their stated ailments. Also of note, safety Josh Barrett now has a hamstring problem to go along with the thumb injury he's been dealing with. He was limited in today's work, along with seven other players. Love was among them. He's nursing an ankle injury suffered versus Oakland. Love was able to continue playing last Sunday on his damaged foot, though.

Noteworthy on New York's side was wide receiver Plaxico Burress, who did not participate in practice today due to an elbow injury. Center Nick Mangold (ankle), who has missed the past couple of games, and starting rookie defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson (shoulder) were both limited.