FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Maybe it had to do with the fact that Willie McGinest was being inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame. Maybe it had to do with more than 20,000 fans attending a night session of training camp at Gillette Stadium.

Or, maybe it's because the Patriots are a week away from their first preseason game against the Green Bay Packers -- everyone in attendance Wednesday was in a good mood.

Yes, even Bill Belichick, who stood on the field after practice and snapped more than a few photos with McGinest, and other former players, including Richard Seymour and Troy Brown.

The players were thrilled with the fan turnout and were genuinely excited with the night session.

“I’m actually enjoying it,” Chandler Jones said. “I don’t think it’s ever been this crowded before [for a stadium practice] in my four years playing here, so it feels good to come out here and see all the fans out here.”

Not only is a stadium practice a treat for fans, it helps the team prepare for the first preseason game.

“Some players might come out here and get bright eyes, big eyes, so it’s a good idea to come out here and have practice in front of all these fans,” Jones said.

When asked if he’s getting anxious to start the preseason game schedule, Jones said he wouldn’t describe it that way but the process continues and the team is still developing.

As far as McGinest getting into the team’s Hall of Fame, and being around the current players the past few days, Jones had nothing but good things to say about the former linebacker.

“Congrats to Willie McGinest. Growing up as a kid, and I’ve always been a defensive end and I definitely watched him as a kid growing up,” Jones said. “For me and him to both play for the same organization, and for me to actually have the opportunity to get tips from him and talk to him and pick his brain a little bit, it’s been great. He has a well-deserved accolade here and it’s good for him.”