Patriots Training Camp Day 1: Tom Brady Leads The Charge
BOSTON (CBS) -- Football is back in New England, as the Patriots held their first practice of 2016 training camp on Thursday.
There are several questions surrounding the team, many of which will be ironed out over the next few weeks. The Pats will play their first game two weeks from today when they host the New Orleans Saints at Gillette.
Everything - including the footballs - was aligned for the first day of #Patriots Training Camp - @JumboHart pic.twitter.com/ITVoUmj56f
— Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) July 28, 2016
Here's what is going on down at Gillette during the Patriots' first practice, with Tom Brady leading the charge:
Tom Brady Leads The First Reps
Brady took the first snap of training camp. But Jimmy Garoppolo wasn't far behind. It will be interesting to see how the Patriots split the QB reps throughout camp.
Tom Brady did take the first set of reps, but Jimmy Garoppolo is working with the first team as well. #WBZ pic.twitter.com/JxP3yJpsGP
— STEVE BURTON (@STEVEBURTONWBZ) July 28, 2016
Jimmy Garoppolo running the 2 minute drill & Tom Brady is on the other field. Both Brady and Jimmy look sharp. #WBZ pic.twitter.com/uPhF6MY5gW
— STEVE BURTON (@STEVEBURTONWBZ) July 28, 2016
Brady to Blount - #patriots #wbz pic.twitter.com/YAF8JmCA3A
— Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) July 28, 2016
Jimmy G to DJ Foster - #patriots #wbz pic.twitter.com/nJeNk6n3cK
— Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) July 28, 2016
Brady and the QB's at #Patriots Training Camp - #wbz pic.twitter.com/uRgnY85Zb5
— Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) July 28, 2016
Brady to Gronk in the red zone at #PatsCamp pic.twitter.com/UxgvZu9qYx
— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) July 28, 2016
Pats ran first team drills 90 minutes into practice. Brady opened 1s vs. 1s then Garoppolo with 2s. Second set, TB & JG mixed 1s & 2s.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) July 28, 2016
On QB reps, Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo split evenly 50-50 in team drills. Brady 1st in 7-on-7, Garoppolo 1st in 11-on-11.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 28, 2016
Garoppolo completed 17 of his final 18 throws of practice, all in 11-on-11s against the starting defense.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) July 28, 2016
KUMBAYA! #Patriots QB's Tom Brady & @JimmyG_10 toss the ball around @GilletteStadium this morning. #brady #WBZ pic.twitter.com/gHb7yTZu5D
— Scott Sullivan (@sullybunZ) July 28, 2016
Jamie Collins Not On The Field
There was one notable absence when camp got underway, with superhuman linebacker Jamie Collins not spotted on the field.
LB Jamie Collins (reason unknown) a notable absence from Patriots' first practice of training camp. Practice lasted 2 hours, 8 minutes. Hot.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 28, 2016
Reiss does note that Collins reported to camp on time, so this doesn't appear to be any sort of holdout. Collins is scheduled to become a free agent after this season.
Shaq Mason Hits The Field
Offensive lineman Shaq Mason was one of seven players who started camp on the PUP list, but he didn't stay there very long. Mason, entering his second NFL season, is part of a crowded group competing for playing time on the interior of the offensive line.
Matthew Slater Honors Nate Ebner
Special teamer Nate Ebner is off to Rio for the Olympics, and Bill Belichick hopes the rugby player brings back "something around his neck." Special teams captain Matthew Slater likely misses his special teams buddy, so he donned his jersey at practice this morning:
Matthew Slater wearing Nate Ebner's 43 in Day One of #TrainingCamp - Ebner made and is w/Team USA Olympic rugby team - #patriots #wbz
— Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) July 28, 2016
Packed House
Per usual, Gillette was the place to be on Thursday. There were 12,393 fans in attendance for the first practice, the Patriots announced.
The first day of Patriots training camp and it's absolutely packed with fans. #WBZ pic.twitter.com/n5T6d7cc2Q
— STEVE BURTON (@STEVEBURTONWBZ) July 28, 2016
Brady signs everywhere at Pats camp #WBZ pic.twitter.com/cb48L2S41N
— Levan Reid (@LevanReid) July 28, 2016
Much more to come throughout the day, so stay tuned!