Missing the session is not a fineable offense and can't be characterized as a holdout, but this could be a subtle message to management about the lack of movement on a new contract.

If true, this would characterize a change of tune, because a few days before the NFL draft, Wilfork sounded happy with the direction the negotiations were headed.

``I'm very happy with where we're at. They're happy with where we're at,'' Wilfork said in February. ``Hopefully we'll get something done, whenever that may be. I'm in no rush. I'm going to give them time to handle whatever they need to handle. When the time is right, that's when it's going to happen. I'm just looking forward to another great season.

``They know how I feel about it,'' Wilfork continued. ``They know I want to be a Patriot. I want to start my career as a Patriot and finish as one. I've said it from Day One. I meant that sincerely. So I think it'll work out. I think everything will work for the best.''

He might not have been in a rush last month, but his absence yesterday suggests something completely different.

E-mails to Wilfork went unanswered.

Phone calls to his agent, Kennard McGuire, also weren't immediately returned.

Bruschi absent

Veteran linebacker Tedy Bruschi also was among the missing. His mother, who had been ill, passed away Monday in Las Vegas.

Bruschi's book, ``Never Give Up,'' tells of how the linebacker lived with his mother in San Francisco after his parents divorced when he was 5.

Other notables not present were linebacker Jerod Mayo, safety Brandon Meriweather, running back Sammy Morris and defensive lineman Jarvis Green.

Mayo's agent, Sean Kiernan, said last night that he was unaware of any extenuating circumstances that would have kept the linebacker away from the OTA.

Defensive lineman Ty Warren, who is recovering from abdominal surgery, did not take part.

Maroney returns

The Pats spent some time on kickoffs, and Laurence Maroney was back as a returner. Also used were Darius Butler, Terrence Wheatley, Julian Edelman and Terrence Nunn.

The team is looking for a replacement for Ellis Hobbs, who was traded to Philadelphia on the second day of the draft.

Maroney averaged 28.0 yards on 28 kickoff returns as a rookie but has been used sparingly in the role ever since.

``If I'm back there, I'm trying to do the best,'' Maroney said. ``I ain't just out there just to be out there.''

Tough task

Newcomer Leigh Bodden saw a lot of time defending Randy Moss during 11-on-11 drills. The cornerback thinks having a heavy dose of Moss will be beneficial to him. He even broke up a long Tom Brady-to-Moss attempt.

Bodden also believes the competition among the cornerbacks now and in training camp will be good for everyone involved.

``Competition is always good for everybody,'' he said. ``Everybody has to know their assignment. It's the same all the way around. I have to know my assignment, and we just have to worry about what each other is doing ourselves.''

Speaking of cornerbacks, second-year man Jonathan Wilhite had the workout's lone interception, picking off a Brian Hoyer pass intended for receiver Robert Ortiz.

Lewis shines

Greg Lewis, who came to the Pats in another trade with Philadelphia, came away with the day's best catch. He made a twisting, diving grab of a Kevin O'Connell pass that left Brady bragging.

``Did you see the catch he made out there today?'' Brady asked the assembled media. ``That was ridiculous.'' . . .

Brady was asked if things were quiet without Mike Vrabel.

``You guys notice that too, don't you?'' Brady said. ``Vrabel, Rodney (Harrison), there's definitely not as much noise. We miss those guys. We love those guys. They're our great friends. We wish them well.''

Harrison hasn't officially announced what his future will hold - June 1 is his deadline - but Brady sure made it sound like he wasn't returning to the Patriots . . . .

Former Lions linebacker Paris Lenon, who signed with the Patriots on Wednesday, was present and took part in some elements of the practice. Mostly, he observed.

Read the Patriots Point After at bostonherald.com.