This is the first time all year the Patriots have had full attendance at practice. They also participated in full pads for the first time since Dec. 7.
Newly hired offensive coaching assistant Josh McDaniels was on hand and spent the early portion of practice talking with Bill Belichick on the sideline. Offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, who was introduced Saturday as Penn State's head coach, was also on hand and spoke with quarterback Tom Brady during the team's stretching period.
Brady, left guard Logan Mankins, wide receiver Wes Welker, right tackle Sebastian Vollmer, running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis and offensive lineman Marcus Cannon all returned to practice after missing Thursday's session. Vollmer missed six weeks of practice, while Mankins sat out for two weeks.
Teams are permitted to practice in full pads once per week during the playoffs. Since Belichick has rarely practiced the team in full pads this season — using just nine of his 14 full-padded sessions — this was likely a tactic to set the tone for the rest of the week.
