Autographs Abound at Patriots Practices

Good morning, Live Better than a Billionaire-a-Holics!

Are you feeling motivated this morning? I certainly hope so.

I'm feeling so motivated my feet barely touch the ground. Why? I'm back from attending double practice sessions yesterday at the World Champion New England Patriots training camp at Gillette Stadium. Football has returned to New England for another season and the good life begins again.

If you have been away on a planet in some other galaxy, let me mention that the Patriots have won two Super Bowls in a row and three in the last four years. We have high hopes in New England that this excellence will continue. We've learned to believe in the Patriots rather than to hope . . . as we used to do with the Red Sox before they finally won the World Series last year.

I want to share with you the secrets of obtaining great autographs from the Patriots players . . . but first let me help you feel and enjoy the delightful atmosphere.

Now, your average billionaire usually covets owning a great sports franchise. It's a kind of glory that's different and sweeter from merely having lots of money, being able to invest money or run a business well. In New England, the Kraft family has been showing how it's done for some time now . . . even though they are not yet billionaires. But with the acumen that they show for running the Patriots, I suspect that billionaire status is ahead for them.

Owner Robert Kraft is flying in pretty high circles these days. He visited Moscow a few weeks ago and met with Russian president Putin. Mr. Kraft showed Mr. Putin his Super Bowl ring. Mr. Putin pocketed the ring and displayed it in the Kremlin. So the fame of the Patriots is spreading! Is Mr. Kraft planning to bid for the franchise for ice boat racing in Moscow? Who knows?

I like many things about a Patriots practice. The weather is usually great. There's a grassy bank you can lie on and soak up the sun while enjoying an elevated view of the playing fields. Vendors wander through the crowd offering drinks and frozen lemonade . . . so you don't have to move. You are surrounded by families, little children and people who know more about the Patriots than you ever thought possible. I love to just lie there and revel in the atmosphere. And you know what? I didn't see a billionaire anywhere? What can they be thinking about to skip a Patriots practice in favor of something else on such a perfect day?

The Patriots are running a mini-camp for kids called The Patriots Experience, and many summer camps have filled buses with youngsters bound for the camp. Little ones are everywhere. It's especially heart-warming to see physically disabled youngsters being helped by kindly teens and adults to come and enjoy the day.

The National Guard is out in force too . . . probably to help recruit some young people. Everyone smiles at them and some shake hands. It's a pleasant surprise when one young female soldier greets me in a friendly fashion. I must remind her of her grandfather.

At the second practice yesterday, I was surrounded by tykesters who were having the most amazingly good time rolling down the hill through the grass. It was a delight just to watch them.

There were sad moments too. We all missed number 54, Tedy Bruschi, who's sitting out this season after a stroke during the off season and number 52, Ted Johnson, who just retired this week from having suffered too many concussions. With the hard-hitting Patriots defense, concussions have to be a common occurrence. You also see youngsters wearing jerseys for Ty Law, who is still recovering from a broken foot against Pittsburgh last year and hasn't been signed by anyone yet. Ty was a favorite here, and I'm sure everyone would like to see him back . . . if he can be squeezed under the salary cap somehow.

I also felt a sense of discontent in the crowd . . . something I don't remember from past training camps. Where was number 93, Richard Seymour? Mr. Seymour is sitting out training camp in hopes of persuading the Patriots to rewrite the six year deal he agreed to when he signed as a rookie. It's a very unPatriotic thing to do.

There's a sense of nostalgia, too. Doug Flutie, hero of The Immaculate Reception, is back at age 42 for what could be his last season. I felt 20 years younger watching Flutie bob, weave and scramble out there like the Flutie of old.

As soon as they walk into the practice field viewing area, each youngster asks, "Where's Tom Brady?" The adults point out that there are four players wearing red shirts and that number 12 is Mr. Brady. After finding Rohan Davies, Doug Flutie and Matt Cassel, they eventually notice the QB who has two Super Bowl MVPs to his name. It's hard to understand why they miss him. Brady is six foot four inches tall. But he doesn't swagger. He's very low key. If you didn't know he was a great quarterback, you probably wouldn't pick him out of the crowd. He's one of the slowest in the jogs. He dogs the calisthenics. He likes to lie in the grass a lot.

As the second practice opens, there are two emotional moments. The first is when Troy Brown catches his first pass. Everyone applauds for an extended time. Everyone loves Troy Brown. He almost wasn't re-signed, and that would have been a sad event.

The second is when Coach Belichick walks towards the center of the field. Waves of applause go on so long it's almost embarrassing. Everyone knows that this man is the magic ingredient who makes it all happen. We had legendary coach Bill Parcells here with Belichick as an assistant, and that was an eye opener for New England fans. We didn't know how important coaching is until we saw Parcells and Belichick up close. But we all know now that Parcells should have been Belichick's assistant. Belichick is the real deal. We are seeing one of the all-time greats here . . . someone about whom fans will be talking a hundred years from now.

I'm struck by how much the performance of the athletes varied between the two practices. P.K. Sam was catching everything in sight and was unstoppable in the morning. In the afternoon, he was just another receiver. David Terrell, on the other hand, just seemed to get better and better.

There were some nice surprises. Rohan Davey seems to be able to throw the short pass this year. Free agent Robbie Gould can really punt . . . but he's a little erratic. Ricky Bryant, another free agent, makes some good catches. Cedric Cobbs looks good running pass routes. Benjamin Watson looks very sharp. Corey Dillon looks like a spring colt, working harder than anyone else . . . and making some remarkable one-handed catches. Kevin Faulk looks like he's in great shape and shows good speed.

Some of the things we count on are there. Deion Branch easily eludes out best secondary and catches everything thrown in his direction. David Givens looks more than solid. Larry Izzo is everywhere!

At the end of the second practice, Brady holds his own impromptu practice. He picks out six receivers and puts them through their paces in running different routes. Troy Brown is his favorite target . . . literally running until he isn't able to run any more. Interestingly, David Terrell is part of the group (Brady's old Michigan mate) and plays even better in this exalted company.

About 40 minutes before the second practice ended, thousands pushed forward to the ropes around the practice field, holding hats, footballs, random papers, jerseys and Sharpies. Many had come just for the autograph opportunity. All around me, fans sported hats with player's illegible signatures on them. These must be the real thing because no forger would put such lousy looking autographs out and hope to make the sale.

All but a few players headed towards the showers. One of the first "name" players to head for the fans was Mike Vrabel. After I left, I heard 20-something women gushing over how good looking he is. Now I understood a little better why there were more women than men watching the practices. Then, the Brady practice broke up . . . and he headed over to sign a few autographs. The crowd went wild! And then a few more players joined him.

Who do you think get the autographs? Players know that their signatures are worth money, and that many items they sign will end up on e-Bay. For that reason, I think they look for those who must want the autographs for themselves.

Tom Brady headed first for the largest concentration of small children. There he signed for each of them. He also stepped back and sought out a teen in a wheel chair.

The most successful autograph seeker was a motherly looking woman of about 50 who was surrounded by young people. Everyone stopped to give her an autograph and she seemed genuinely delighted. You could feel her soul quiver. I suspect she looked a lot like the players' moms. Who doesn't want to do mom a favor?

A ragged-looking teen who had sat near me also got a Brady autograph. He was in seventh heaven! It was on a dirty cap that had obviously seen better days. This was a boy who probably wasn't ever going to see the inside of Gillette Stadium for a game, but I'm sure he'll wear that cap whenever he watches on television.

Here are some tips if you go to today's practice. You can find out the times of the scheduled open, free practices by visiting www.patriots.com/. Most of them are next week.

First, call ahead to be sure practice is still being held today. The number is 508-549-0001. Just a few minute ago I called and heard that the 2:30 practice is still on.

Second, get there early. I suggest about 45 minutes early. That allows you to get a seat on the grass right next to the ropes. When everyone crowds forward to press for autographs, you'll already be in place.

Third, bring a motherly looking woman with you who is willing to help you get autographs. If you're young, bring you mom. If you're older, bring your wife or girl friend.

Fourth, pick a spot to sit where the most 4-6 year olds are. That's where most players will come first. If you can borrow several 4-6 year olds for the afternoon, that's even better. And be sure to save some space for young people in wheel chairs to get to the ropes.

Fifth, buy something nice for the players to sign. White hats are good. So are white jerseys of your favorite player. The Patriots pro shop is open before and during practice so you can stock up there on the way in.

Sixth, bring lots of Sharpies. You don't want to run out of ink. And the players don't have Sharpies in their pads.

Seventh, if you are gathering autographs for a charitable purpose, shout that out or carry a sign that says what you are doing. "Sign here to help breast cancer" is a message that most athletes will not ignore.

Eighth, wear some obviously old item with lots of Patriots autographs on it. That tells the players that you plan to keep the item for your own use. And have that item be a different type of apparel from what you are asking them to sign.

Ninth, be patient. Some players will stay for a long time. Others will come out after they take a shower. You may be there after the sun goes down, but your chances to get autographs improve the longer you stay. Many people have to hurry off for other activities.

Tenth, if you don't succeed, figure out what you could have done better and try something different at the next practice.

Good luck in getting your autographs!

And good luck to the Patriots!

Tomorrow, I'll share with you the value of having a special spiritual place where you can find solace and peace.

On Monday, I'll recommend some more wonderful homes, mansions and estates for your visiting pleasure. Hopefully, by then I'll be able to tell you about my plans to visit other properties for the first time through your suggestions as a result of reading today's blog entry.

On Tuesday, I will describe some of the key lessons in Jack Canfield's book, The Success Principles, and share my review with you of that wonderful resource.

Wednesday, you will explore how to improve your communications to find out more and to persuade others to be more cooperative. This blog entry can change your life!

On Thursday, I'll describe how you can enjoy whale and dolphin watching around the world and see sights that few billionaires have enjoyed.

On Friday, I'll update you on my thoughts about the first week's worth of public practices by the Patriots. In doing this, you'll find out what the busy billionaires are missing as they cosset their money . . . rather than enjoy life! I'll also reflect on the lessons of Bill Belichick's remarkable coaching for how to live better than a billionaire on five dollars extra a day.

Next Saturday, I'll share my thoughts on what freedom means and how you can enjoy it responsibly . . . and better than a billionaire.

Please feel free to let me know what else you would like to learn, and I'll do my best to help in future blog entries.

If you are new to this blog, be sure to check out the table of contents entry for July 27. It will help you find earlier entries that may be of interest. I'll update this table of contents every week or so for your convenience.

Thanks so much for your support of this blog. I'm delighted that so many thousands of people have made this blog part of their regular reading habit!

If you like this blog, please let others know who might also enjoy it.

May God bless you.

Donald W. Mitchell, Your Dream Concierge

Copyright 2005 Donald W. Mitchell