The stands are still pretty much full at New England Patriots training camp, and you can bet most of the rookies have had their fill of football already.

Colleges begin their practices about three weeks before they open their seasons.In the NFL, you have OTAs, minicamp, and pretty much five to six weeks of training camp and then regular practices after cutdown day.

It’s got to be a big adjustment.

For example, rookie linebacker Namdi Obiazor, a sixth round pick out of TCU, realizes the season opener at Seattle on Sept. 9 is over a month away.

“It is kind of tough,” Obiazor said after Tuesday’s practice out behind Gillette Stadium. “But I look at these preseason games as actual games. In college we didn’t have those; we’d have maybe scrimmages once or twicea week but it wasn’t like actually going to the stadium, dressing up and stuff. I think that’s the big difference and it’s pretty cool.”

In other words, Obiazor is already a fan of preseason NFL football, and later round draft picks are probablythe only big fans of it. He’ll be happy to know the Patriots host the Indianapolis Colts next Thursday night in the preseason opener at Gillette Stadium. Then they play the Eagles in Foxborough on Saturday, Aug. 22.

So that will be a change. And Obiazor and other rookies are trying to adjust to a whole new world.

“I just say, the biggest surprise is the tempo and everything,” Obiazor said. “It’s a lot faster, but at same time it’s not like not all over the place, you’re still staying up, they don’t want you going to the ground. I’ll just say the tempo and everything, know where you’re supposed to be, moving fast, but not really finishing it out.”

Great answers. Then there’s a ton of off-field things that they have to adjust to, the bevvy of information.

“That’s definitely been a lot too, especially being a linebacker, you have to know a lot, too, lot of fronts, where everybody has to line up. I’m trying to do the best I can to learn it.”

Of course, the rookies are going through the rituals. Obiazor had to provide a ton of snacks for the entire team. Second round pick Gabe Jacas had to tell a joke or two in talent competition.

“I just did a magic trick type of joke,” Jacas said, grinning.

There’s never any shortage of fans at Patriots Training Camp as Tuesday’s crowd shows, although practices the next two days are closed to the public. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

Camp is trudging along. The Patriots will close things to the public the next couple of days, although the media can attend.That will bring back that feeling of the COVID season of 2020. No fans.

Fans packed the stands yesterday. It’s not like this in college. But also while adjusting to a new level, a lot of the rookies have to adjust to is life in New England. What’s the biggest difference?

“I probably just say the weather,” Obiazor said. “I was in Texas the last two years and prettymuch had been hot and sunny every day. Since I’ve been here, it might be sunny today and yesterday it was pouring rain.”

Yes, welcome to a brand new world.The way to surivive it is simple.

“I’m just trying to be better than I was yesterday,” Obiazor said.

Yup, it’s training camp and for the young ins the living is not easy.

Tom King may be reached at @Telegraph_TomK on twitter, or tking@nashuatelegraph.com