FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- It's only four days, but here are some players I view as having built some positive momentum in the early part of the New England Patriots' training camp:
Malcolm Butler -- The Super Bowl hero missed time in voluntary organized activities after he arrived late because of a canceled flight due to weather, a storyline that generated a lot of traction at the time. How has that affected him in training camp? Not much, if at all. His fluid movement skills and ball skills have been evident, as he looks like a top candidate to replace Darrelle Revis.
Travaris Cadet -- Still an unknown in the all-important area of pass protection, the former Saints running back catches the ball well (e.g. Friday TD in back left-hand corner of end zone) and could have a significant role on special teams.
Aaron Dobson -- The 2013 second-round draft choice has been getting quality repetitions as an outside receiver, with top option Brandon LaFell still on the physically unable to perform list. He's been up (nice catch Sunday) and down (ball jarred away from him Saturday) at times, but I don't think it's a stretch to say this is as good as he's looked since joining the club. Coach Bill Belichick said he arrived in "great" shape.
Eric Martin -- A little-known third-year linebacker out of Nebraska who spent time on the practice squad last December, he showed up in pass rush drills on back-to-back days, and also was an offseason award winner.
Bryan Stork -- Working in between two rookie guards, the second-year center has the look of a steady veteran (e.g. goal-line drills on Sunday). Like Martin, he was an offseason award winner.
Tavon Wilson -- Fourth-year safety could be feeling the squeeze after the team drafted Jordan Richards in the second round, but he's consistently made plays on the ball, sometimes in tough matchups against tight ends Rob Gronkowski and/or Scott Chandler.