Patriots OTAs Observations: Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo Split QB Reps

FOXBORO, Mass. — Tom Brady’s potential suspension doesn’t appear to be altering how the New England Patriots are conducting business in organized team activities.

Brady and backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo split passing reps Friday. Brady always made his throws first.

Brady was 10 for 11 in 7-on-7 drills and 7 for 11 in 11-on-11s. Garoppolo was 8 for 11 in 7-on-7s and 8 for 12 in 11-on-11s. Both quarterbacks appeared sharp in the hour and 45-minute session outside Gillette Stadium.

Brady and Garoppolo worked privately with tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Scott Chandler and fullback James Develin in red-zone drills.

Wide receiver Julian Edelman was one of Brady’s favorite targets in team drills. The shifty receiver definitely doesn’t look like he’s lost a step after a short offseason.

Wide receivers Aaron Dobson and Brian Tyms made the most of their opportunities with starting wideout Brandon LaFell out of practice. Both players saw increased snaps.

Cornerback Malcolm Butler also was out of practice, and Logan Ryan and Daxton Swanson saw increased reps at the position. That could be because Ryan and Swanson have the most experience in New England’s defense out of all the Patriots cornerbacks.

Brandon Spikes also saw increased reps on defense with starting linebackers Jerod Mayo, Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins out.

The Patriots weren’t wearing numbered jerseys, so it was hard to differentiate between players at times. Edelman, Danny Amendola, Jonathan Krause and Patrick Chung were back returning punts, however.

Rookie long snapper Joe Cardona was present for practice, which could be good news for his eligibility play in the NFL this season rather than being deployed in the Navy.

Thumbnail photo via Stew Milne/USA TODAY Sports Images