Patriots Minicamp Day 1: Butler Present; Gronk Doesn't Practice
BOSTON (CBS) -- The New England Patriots kicked off a three-day minicamp on Tuesday, and while we're still a ways away from meaningful football, there is plenty to be learned from this week's practices.
Here are some observations from Day 1 of the Patriots' minicamp:
Malcolm Butler Was There, But 13 Patriots Missed Practice
Forget about any contract issues with the Super Bowl XLIX hero. Butler was present on Tuesday after missing OTAs a few weeks ago.
And that OTA absence sounds like a family issue Butler had back home.
Butler just addressed media. Said he had some off field issues/miscommunication that caused him to miss OTA. Wouldn't get specific
— Paul Perillo (@pfwpaul) June 7, 2016
Butler added absence was family related but went no further. Wouldn't get into contract saying he would control what he could control.
— Paul Perillo (@pfwpaul) June 7, 2016
On his contract status, CB Malcolm Butler said, "It is what it is. I'm going to play hard, no matter what." #Patriots
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) June 7, 2016
But the Patriots were without 13 players for Tuesday's session, including some key guys on offense.
13 Patriots missed today's practice: Gronk, Edelman, Amendola, Ryan, Blount, Harmon, Lewis, Ebner, Jackson, Kline, Mason, Vollmer, Solder.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) June 7, 2016
Gronk Doesn't Practice
The biggest name on that DNP list is tight end Rob Gronkowski, who hadn't missed an offseason practice until Tuesday.
We'll have to wait and see if there is something going on with the All Pro tight end, or if he gets to ease into things this season.
Bill Belichick on Rob Gronkowski not practicing: "There were a lot of players that weren't on the field. They were doing other things."
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) June 7, 2016
Neither Does Danny...
Another big question from Tuesday is where is Danny Amendola? He was running all over the place Friday night during Brady's flag football game at Harvard Stadium, but missed Tuesday as well.
Enough Snaps For Everyone Under Center
The snaps were pretty evenly distributed among New England's three quarterbacks, though rookie Jacoby Brissett only saw action with the third team:
Team drills: Brady 26 of 34, INT. Garoppolo 29 of 36. Brissett (third string only) 25 of 35, INT
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) June 7, 2016
Brady led off every period of team drills during today's practice.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) June 7, 2016
Garoppolo laughs when asked how he's improved. Said he could go on all day about that.
— Paul Perillo (@pfwpaul) June 7, 2016
Play of day: WR Aaron Dobson a one-handed catch on a long-bomb TD from Jimmy Garoppolo. Dobson fell to ground after making catch.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) June 7, 2016
Chris Hogan was the best receiver on the field today. Dobson did some nice things, had a 1-handed 50-yard TD catch over 2 defenders.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) June 7, 2016
Pats Hall Of Famer Troy Brown Helps On Special Teams
No, TB80 didn't suit up and return a few kicks. But he did assist in coaching the special teams unit.
Troy Brown was here and helped the punt returners for a bit.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) June 7, 2016
And it sounds like rookie corner/kick returner Cyrus Jones is already impressing those on the Patriots beat.
Windy day created good work for punt returners. Top draft pick Cyrus Jones looked most comfortable among PRs.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) June 7, 2016
Stork Back At Center Of Attention?
As for who will be snapping the ball to Tom Brady (or potentially Jimmy Garoppolo for four games), it looks like Bryan Stork is back to being the man with the ball in his hands.
Stork got more quality reps today in the center competition.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) June 7, 2016
Brady Putting In The Work With Bennett
Patriots fans are really going to like Martellus Bennett, especially in the red zone:
At one point, Tom Brady and TE Martellus Bennett worked 1-on-1 in the red zone while rest of club focused on special teams/other drills. To
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) June 7, 2016
Patriots Welcomed Navy Staff To Gillette
Long snapper Joe Cardona was present on Tuesday, and so was his former coach at Navy.
Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo and his staff were present for Patriots practice. Bill Belichick spent time chatting with Niumatalolo.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) June 7, 2016