The New England Patriots are hosting their first team activity open to the media on Thursday. Media will have access to practice at 10:55 am EST and will be speaking with the defense upon the conclusion.
OTAs will be the first time that a few questions will be answered- or at least be addressed- this offseason and should be pretty exciting.
We will see which offensive linemen take the field in front of quarterback Tom Brady, and we can see if the coaching staff is as high on guard Shaq Mason as the rest of us were after the playoffs last season. Where will acquisitions Joe Thuney and Jonathan Cooper line up?
We know that rookie wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell bypassed the Rookie Premiere event in order to learn the playbook; does he slide into the offense without a hitch? He'll have plenty of opportunities with receivers Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola recovering from injuries.
We'll also get a nice look at the tight end trio of Rob Gronkowski, Martellus Bennett, and Clay Harbor. That should be fun.
On the defensive side, we'll see a handful of players that effectively received red shirt seasons in 2015, in edge defenders Geneo Grissom, Trey Flowers, and Rufus Johnson, along with cornerback Darryl Roberts. Hopefully they pick up where they left off last preseason.
We'll also welcome edge defender Chris Long, defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, and linebacker Shea McClellin. They'll add some quality depth to the rotation.
ESPN's Mike Reiss reflected on seeing and hearing about running back Dion Lewis last offseason, and we can all remember the hype around cornerback Malcolm Butler in 2014. Some fringe players will make strong cases to contribute in 2016.
Pats Pulpit will be posting updates throughout the morning. Feel free to share anything you see in the comments section.
First media OTA has ended: Notable absentees: Gronk, Edelman, DA, Lewis, Blount, Solder, Vollmer, Butler, Ryan, Harmon, Branch.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) May 26, 2016
2v2s: Brady 8/8
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) May 26, 2016
Garoppolo 3/3
Brissett 0/4
7v7s: Brady 5/9
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) May 26, 2016
Garoppolo 13/17
Brissett: 2/4
11v11s: Brady 7/9
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) May 26, 2016
Garoppolo 8/9
Brissett 7/10, INT
Chris Hogan made a nice one-handed catch. There was no one covering him, but still impressive.
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) May 26, 2016
Here are your quarterbacks Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett pic.twitter.com/XmiUjrgcIY
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) May 26, 2016
Brady worked with Martellus Bennett, Clay Harbor and James Develin off to the side. Then with Bennett again, Mitchell, Dobson and Washigton
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) May 26, 2016
Cyrus Jones intercepted Jacoby Brissett today
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) May 26, 2016
Out of the RBs there today (Brown, White, Gaffney, Gaffney), DJ Foster looked the quickest. Impressive speed
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) May 26, 2016
Players practicing punt returns include Cyrus Jones, Keshawn Martin, V'Angelo Bentley, DeAndre Carter and Chris Harper
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) May 26, 2016
Martellus made several impressive catches in 11s. He's enormous.
— Kevin Duffy (@KevinRDuffy) May 26, 2016
Even without Gronk, Brady worked w/ Martellus Bennett and Clay Harbor individually on the goal line.
— Kevin Duffy (@KevinRDuffy) May 26, 2016
How serious does Bill Belichick take OTAs? He was furious and verbally laid into some players for not following practice script early on.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) May 26, 2016
Patriots OTA standouts: Jimmy G, Cyrus (INT), Mitchell, Foster, Chung, Martellus.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) May 26, 2016
So lots of reps for backups and rookies today. First team reps seemed to be split evenly between Brady and Garoppolo
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) May 26, 2016
Former Patriots running back Sammy Morris was at today's session, watching the backs with RB coach Ivan Fears.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) May 26, 2016
Tom Brady found TE Michael Williams in the back of the end zone for an athletic grab in tight coverage. Had an offseason to train at TE.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) May 26, 2016
Martellus Bennett was a standout today. He had a great catch over Patrick Chung
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) May 26, 2016
Chung deflected two passes. He stood out on defense
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) May 26, 2016
Malcolm Mitchell made a nice diving catch. He had a drop also, but looked solid
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) May 26, 2016
All 3 quarterbacks are working extra after practice. Brady is working with a trainer with that leash contraption around his waist
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) May 26, 2016
Random observation: Don't count out 2nd-year center David Andrews. Quality reps for him. Could have a nice competition at that spot in camp.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) May 26, 2016
Catches during 11v11s: Bennett 4, Carter 4, Hogan 3, Derby 2, Mitchell 2, Harper, Scheu, Lucien, Brown, Harbor, Dobson, Williams, Bolden
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) May 26, 2016