Sports

Last day for fans at Patriots Training Camp

FOXBORO, Mass. — The Patriots are on their way to West Virginia for joint practices with the Houston Texans, which begin on Tuesday.  Monday was the last day the public was allowed to view Patriots workouts in Foxboro.

"I'm definitely going to miss the fans at practice because now it's going to be just us and Bill," deadpanned veteran Patriots safety Duron Harmon.

"Having these guys out here, some days it's like 20,000 people and I'm like, 'Wow!' Having that type of atmosphere really raises the compete level at practice," said Harmon

Asked if he would miss the fans, wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell said, "For sure. They bring a lot of energy. We love having them out here. I try to appreciate it all. You know, people take time out of their schedules so we are definitely grateful. We definitely notice when they are out here."

Bill Belichick and Texans head coach Bill O'Brien will conduct joint practices with their teams on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Greenbrier resort in Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

The Patriots will then travel on Thursday to Houston where they will play the Texans on Saturday night in the second preseason game for both teams.  That game will be the first time the Patriots have been back to Reliant Stadium and the scene of Super Bowl LI last February.

"It will be cool but will be a totally different feeling than when we played in the Super Bowl," said Super Bowl LI hero James White.

Asked what his fondest memory of that game is, White said, "Celebrating with teammates - that was the best part about it. We worked so hard together. It was very exciting"

Malcolm Mitchell had six catches for 70 yards in Super Bowl LI but he's not sure how he's going to feel when he walks back on that field.

"I have no idea if the memories will come back," said Mitchell. "I haven't been back there yet,"

Pressed more on the whether he would allow himself a small chance to reminisce, Mitchell said, "We've moved on from that."

And then he added with a smile, "We're not going to allow ourselves to do that, not even a little bit"