FOXBOROUGH - When Terrell Williams walked back onto the practice field this summer, it was a return to normalcy for a coach who has spent nearly three decades in the trenches. After missing much of the offseason program due to an undisclosed health issue, Williams is back in full command of the Patriots defense as they gear up for Thursday night's preseason finale against the Giants.

"I feel great," Williams said on Tuesday before practice. "Camp's been good. Guys are practicing hard, so it's been a good camp so far. I'm happy to be back, happy to be around these players, and happy to be here in New England."

Williams downplayed the health scare, calling it "irrelevant," and is now focused on getting the new-look Patriots defense ready for the regular season. The long-time defensive line coach has been assimilating into his new role, choosing to call plays from high above the sidelines. "I've been down on the field as an assistant most of my career, but you see it from a different perspective up top," he said. "You get a full picture of the field, and that can help you see the operation from their sideline as well."

That vantage point gave Williams a broader view of a defense he believes is trending in the right direction, a defense that didn't allow a touchdown against the Vikings backups last weekend. "They've been open, willing to learn, willing to take coaching," he said. "They've gotten better from the start of training camp to where we are now. I told them this morning we've got to start stacking these days because we're getting close to playing a real football game."

Williams' philosophy has been obvious and often stated since the new defensive coaching staff took over: effort and finish are the key elements. Despite some inconsistency overall, the defense's physicality and energy have not wavered. "You can see it when we have pads on," Williams said. "Guys playing with good pad level, using their hands, linebackers coming downhill, DBs being physical. There's a difference between camp and the regular season, but I like what I'm seeing."

Inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr, who helped steer the defense during Williams' absence, said the transition back has been seamless. "We were always on the same page," Kuhr said. "We talked every day. It was just like if he were here."

Kuhr praised Williams' ability to set the tone and Vrabel's insistence on high standards. "[Coach Vrabel] hammers it every day," Kuhr said. "He sets high expectations, and the guys respond to that."

Williams' expertise remains rooted in the defensive line, but he's quick to credit his staff for bringing the back end to life. "I'm a front guy, that's what I know, that's what I believe in," he said. "But I have an idea of what I want the back end to look like, and I think Book [Scott Booker] and Justin Hamilton are doing a good job making that picture come to life."

As for Thursday night, Williams wants to see consistency and finish. "We've had some good days, but it's been a little inconsistent at times," he said. "Now it's about stacking days and getting ready for September."

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