Alex Silvestro News

Justin Francis, one of the Patriots' seven undrafted rookies, isn't walking into his new situation with the team blind.

The Patriots have more players than expected on hand as they begin a two-day rookie mini-camp Friday at Gillette.

The Patriots' rookies are probably still going through the paces inside the bubble, but the media's access is over.

Underwood played collegiately at Rutgers under new Bucs coach Greg Schiano. He becomes the seventh former Scarlet Knight on the roster and the fifth to be acquired since Schiano took over.

New England Patriots quarterback Ryan Mallett, defensive end Alex Silvestro, punter Zoltan Mesko and players from Harvard's football team conducted a football skills clinic last week for 125 special needs and at-risk students from Boston and Chelsea public schools.

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports that a source told him Underwood has been let go by the Patriots for the second time in three months.

Dont'a Hightower and six other Patriots draft picks will look to make an impact in 2012.