Patriots 2019 training camp recap: Tom Brady-N’Keal Harry connection is up and running

The New England Patriots’ 2019 training camp is underway! Earlier today, the reigning world champions hit the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium for the first time this summer, to hold a two-hour session. The team did not wear full pads just yet — that will happen on Saturday — and the practice in general was not all that competitive. That being said, the combination of weather, crowd, and general excitement were felt.

Let’s recap what happened:

Attendance

3 players were not spotted: OC David Andrews (?), DE Michael Bennett (?), OT Yodny Cajuste (NFI) (source)

6 players were present but did not participate: WR Julian Edelman (NFI), WR Demaryius Thomas (PUP), RB Sony Michel (PUP), OT Cole Croston (PUP), DE Deatrich Wise Jr. (PUP), CB Ken Webster (PUP), SS Nate Ebner (PUP). (source)

Edelman, Thomas, Michel and Wise began working out on the lower practice fields shortly after the start of practice. (source)

Patrick Chung wore a red non-contact jersey. The team captain is recovering from a broken hand suffered in the Super Bowl and offseason shoulder surgery. (source) Meanwhile, Danny Etling did not don the red non-contact jersey that quarterbacks are usually wearing. (source)

Injuries

Phillip Dorsett got up with a slight limp after one red zone drill. (source)

Offense

The quarterbacks performed as follows during 11-on-11 drills (source):

Tom Brady: 8 of 11

Brian Hoyer: 5 of 7

Jarrett Stidham: 3 of 5

Brady’s completions during 11-on-11 drills went to Rex Burkhead (3), Phillip Dorsett (2), N’Keal Harry, Damien Harris, and James Develin.

The quarterbacks performed as follows during 4-on-4 drills (source):

Tom Brady: 3 of 5

Brian Hoyer: 2 of 3

The first-team offensive line during team drills looked as follows (source):

LT Joe Thuney — LG Ted Karras — OC James Ferentz — RG Shaq Mason — RT Marcus Cannon

The first-team offensive line during walkthroughs looked as follows (source):

LT Isaiah Wynn — LG Joe Thuney — OC James Ferentz — RG Shaq Mason — RT Marcus Cannon

In general, projected starting left tackle Isaiah Wynn was eased into action today after missing most of last year due to a torn Achilles and also sitting out team drills during OTAs and minicamp. (source)

Tom Brady’s first attempt in a competitive setting — a 2-on-2 drill — was intercepted. He tried to hit Braxton Berrios, but Jonathan Jones picked off the pass. (source)

Jason Stidham threw a nice ball, but is holding it too long at times. (source)

Danny Etling worked out with the wide receivers early during the session. Neither he nor second-year man Damoun Patterson did look particularly good catching the football, though. (source)

Josh McDaniels took some time to instruct rookie wide receiver N’Keal Harry one-on-one while the rest of the team was working on special teams. (source) Harry also got some one-on-one action with Tom Brady, working on fade routes and jump-ball passes. (source)

In general, the rookie had a good day: he made a twisting catch over Jason McCourty at one point, and had the play of the day when he out-jumped a cornerback in the back of the end zone in Randy Moss-like fashion. The Brady-Harry connection is up and running. (source)

Tom Brady and Brian Hoyer had a side session with Harry and Benjamin Watson on two occasions. (source)

Phillip Dorsett caught a touchdown in the back corner of the endzone from Brian Hoyer. (source)

Undrafted rookies Ryan Davis, Jakobi Meyers and Gunner Olszewski were quite active and . performed well when called upon. (source)

Defense

As noted above, Jonathan Jones recored an interception when going against Braxton Berrios. He later also had a pass breakup. D’Angelo Ross, J.C. Jackson and Keion Crossen also registered breakups. (source)

J.C. Jackson was the best player in coverage today, but Stephon Gilmore wasn’t targeted during team drills. (source)

Jonathan Jones had a better day than fellow slot cornerback Duke Dawson Jr. (source)

Jerod Mayo served as the defense’s play caller during parts of 11-on-11 drills. (source)

The entire defense — including coaches — had to run a penalty lap at one point. (source)

Special teams

Brandon Bolden, Phillip Dorsett, Braxton Berrios, Gunner Olszewski and Jonathan Jones did all see reps returning kickoffs. (source)

Rookie punter Jake Bailey again worked on kickoffs. There were no punts on the day, though. (source)

Fourth-string quarterback Danny Etling spent some time working with the special teams units, something he also did at times during spring. (source)

Miscellaneous

Troy Brown was again helping out the Patriots’ coaching staff. Just like he did in spring, he was working with the wide receivers — for example Danny Etling after practice. (source)

Defensive back A.J. Howard and defensive edge Shilique Calhoun were the first players on the practice fields today. (source)

The Patriots finished the session by doing conditioning work on the hills behind the practice fields. (source)