Patriots coach Bill Belichick says he's looking forward to this week's joint practices with the Eagles in Philadelphia. (AP photo)

No surprises, and you get to hit someone who’s not your teammate.

That’s the idea between joint training camp practices in the NFL, and that’s what the New England Patriots will do Monday and Tuesday leading up to Thursday’s second preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Patriots worked out on Sunday and then flew to Philly on Sunday afternoon, where they’ll have two practice sessions with the Eagles.

“We’re looking forward to the opportunity to move our football team and improve it,” Belichick said. “It’s a good opportunity for all of us; coaches, players staff to go on the road, work on the road, work together and smooth out some of our operational things that will come up over the course of the year.”

The Patriots will do the same with the New York Giants coming to Foxborough the week after this. But for now, the idea is to get better facing competition other than yourselves.

“Well this week the game plan is practice,” Belichick said. “Can’t get a better look at what they do. Like that’s better than running pff cards. We’ll see exactly what we need to see from them. They’ss see it from us, and that is the scouting report.”

Meanwhile, Belichick on Sunday said working with the Eagles has been fine.

“Philadelphia’s been great,” Belichick said. “They’ve given us everything we need. There’s a few moving parts and things like that, there always are, but we’ll work through those, and ultimately the benefits of working against the Eagles for two solid days I think will more than make up for whatever inconvenience there is.”

“You have to know your rules, have to learn your rules to go out and execute them,” Patriots center David Andrews said. “A little fresh air … You kind of get more of this team feel. When the defense does something good,we’re happy. When their defense does something good, we’re pissed off.”

“I did it on my last team,” Patriots wideout Kendrick Bourne said. “It was definitely a pretty good experience, see that team before you play them, get a feel for who you’re going up against. It definitely helps. Just practicing against another team is always fun.”

Bourne, who was part of the Patriots free agent spending spree, says he feels like he’s fitting in well. “The chemistry is growing quick here,” he said.

ANDREWS A DAD

Andrews is a dad as his wife recently gave birth to a baby boy, James Ford Andrews.

“It was kind of a whirlwind there for a couple of hours,” Andrews said. “Definitely a life-changing experience. I don’t know, I don’t know how to explain it.”

PATRIOTS RELEASE THREE

Before leaving for Philly, the Patriots released three players: D/TE Rashod Berry, wideout Marvin Hall and tight end David Wells. Berry actually appeared in three games for the Patriots last season. Wells was signed by the Patriots just before camp started; Hall has appeared in 45 career games with Atlanta, Detroit and Cleveland.