Another step closer to normal: Patriots joint practices resume

As far back as the Patriots' training camp days at Bryant College (now Bryant University) in Smithfield, R.I., New England has engaged in joint practice sessions with various preseason opponents. In those days, the New York Giants were occasional guests here in New England, proving a popular draw not only because of the proximity of the two clubs, but also the star-power the then-Super Bowl-winning Giants carried with them.

More recently, the Patriots resumed the training camp tradition in 2010, hosting the New Orleans Saints for a few days on ensemble sessions here in Foxborough prior to their preseason game at Gillette. Ever since, with the exceptions of 2011, '18, and '20, the Patriots…