Patriots flash different kind of swagger

Bill Belichick and the Patriots are practicing with the Eagles this week.

It was a surreal scene at the NovaCare Complex.

Tom Brady throwing darts in the red zone on the Eagles’ practice field. Cornerbacks Bradley Fletcher and Cary Williams were reduced to mere spectators as the Super Bowl champion carved up Chip Kelly’s revamped secondary.

At one point, Williams boiled over in frustration and started a fight with rookie receiver Aaron Dobson after a running play. Both players were removed.

“We didn’t want this to turn into a wrestling match,” Eagles coach Chip Kelly said. “Both of our squads knew before it happened. If you’re going to get in a skirmish, you’re going to sit.”

Other than that, Tuesday’s practice was mostly civil. The two teams sent their top units up against each other in both 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. The Patriots seemed to get the better in most instances. However, the joint practice seemed to be very beneficial for both sides.

“That will be good for all of us,” said Patriots coach Bill Belichick. “Anything to break up the monotony of camp.”

Belichick and Kelly have worked together before. The former Oregon coach went to New England prior to last season to help install some of his innovative techniques. Even though Kelly has yet to coach his first NFL game, the respect is mutual.

“I have so much respect for Chip [Kelly] and what he’s done,” Belichick said. “We’ve been friends for a while and I know he does a great job with this football team and the program that he’s run in Oregon.”