The New England Patriots are currently in the final phase of their organized team activities. This means that the team is scheduled to hold three practice sessions this week. Today, the first of the sessions took place and it was also the lone one open to the media.
With that in mind, here are today’s practice notes.
Attendance
Four players were not spotted during today’s session: Defensive linemen Alan Branch, Lawrence Guy, Kony Ealy and offensive tackle Andrew Jelks were absent today. Jelks missed all practices this offseason open to the media, while Guy was not spotted during the final minicamp practice last week as well.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo also did not participate and “appears to be dealing with a left leg injury,” per the Herald’s Jeff Howe. Garoppolo rode a stationary bike before leaving the field.
On a positive note, cornerback Malcolm Butler returned after being a no-show during last week’s final minicamp practice. Linebacker Dont’a Hightower and wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell were also spotted but did not participate in the drills.
Former Eagles and 49ers head coach Chip Kelly was in attendance, per WEEI’s Ryan Hannable. Kelly is currently working for ESPN. University of Maryland head coach D.J. Durkin was also in attendance, per CSNNE’s Phil Perry.
Offense
The quarterbacks performed as follows, per the Providence Journal’s Mark Daniels:
Tom Brady: 27/34 (11-on-11); 8/9 (7-on-7)
Jacoby Brissett: 16/29, INT (11-on-11); 7/8 (7-on-7)
With Garoppolo not throwing any passes today, Brissett saw a lot of work with the second team. According to CSNNE’s Phil Perry, the second-year passer did look "sharp".
Wide receiver DeAndrew White had a team-high two drops today. Former Colts tight end Dwayne Allen also continues to struggle with drops: He had another one today, as did backup wide receiver Matthew Slater.
WR Brandin Cooks “made the catch of the day around Malcolm Butler,” per NESN’s Zack Cox, on what was “a nice adjustment on a back shoulder catch” from QB Tom Brady, per the Herald’s Adam Kurkjian. WR Julian Edelman “made a spinning, one-handed catch by the sideline” in front of CB Stephon Gilmore, too.
WR Devin Lucien and RB D.J. Foster “made diving catches,” per NESN’s Doug Kyed.
The offense spent a lot of time working on goal-line running situations, per the Boston Herald’s Adam Kurkjian.
Brady invested some time after practice working with tight ends Dwayne Allen and James O’Shaughnessy.
Defense
The entire unit was forced to run two penalty laps after making mistakes during 11-on-11s. Rookie defensive tackle Josh Augusta again struggled to finish them.
Rookie linebacker Harvey Langi intercepted Jacoby Brissett.
Malcolm Butler was very active today, breaking up two passes by Brady intended for Brandin Cooks and Chris Hogan.
Jonathan Jones and Eric Rowe both saw time at slot cornerback working against Brady and the Patriots’ top offensive unit.
Defensive linemen Trey Flowers, Malcom Brown, Vincent Valentine, Darius Kilgo, Woodrow Hamilton, Deatrich Wise Jr., Derek Rivers, and Adam Butler “all stayed late after practice” for the sake of “working on pass rush moves,” per Cox.
Special teams
CB Cyrus Jones “dropped a kickoff from the machine that hit him right in the hands,” per the Herald’s Adam Kurkjian. DeAndrew White also worked as a kickoff returner.
According to Kurkjian, the team also worked on onside kicks.