FOXBORO, Mass. — Minicamp started on a high note for the New England Patriots’ offense.
Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo combined to complete 76.9 percent of their passes in 11-on-11 team drills, and each player was 5 of 6 in 7-on-7s.
— Brady was 24 of 33 in 11 on 11s with completions to running backs James White and Brandon Bolden, wide receivers Danny Amendola, Julian Edelman, Aaron Dobson, Josh Boyce and Brian Tyms, and tight ends Fred Davis and Scott Chandler. Edelman, Boyce and running back LeGarrette Blount committed drops on passes from Brady.
— Garoppolo was 26 of 32 in 11-on-11s with one interception — down from five in his second organized team activity open to the media. He completed passes to Edelman, Tyms, running backs Tyler Gaffney, Jonas Gray, Dion Lewis and Travaris Cadet, wide receivers Jonathan Krause, Aaron Dobson and Brandon Gibson, and tight end Rob Gronkowski. Garoppolo’s interception was deflected and picked off by safety Nate Ebner. Rookie cornerback Darryl Roberts broke up a pass from Garoppolo.
— Edelman and Gronkowski saw an increased workload with Garoppolo, which could mean the Patriots are preparing for Brady’s suspension.
— Amendola had nine total catches during team drills.
— New quarterback Matt Flynn completed 5 of 9 passes in 11-on-11s. His completions went to Cadet, Gibson, Gaffney, Tyms and tight end Jimmay Mundine. Krause and tight end Logan Stokes dropped passes from Flynn.
— Gaffney caught four passes in 11-on-11 drills from Garoppolo. It was the first time we’ve seen him take a heavy workload in the passing game, and he looked comfortable in the Patriots’ two-minute offense.
—Â Chandler and Boyce each didn’t finish practice after suffering what appeared to be minor injuries. Both players looked fine walking off the field.
— The Patriots blared music during Brady and Garoppolo’s 11-on-11 drills to simulate crowd noise.
— With the Patriots’ top four linebackers out of action, James Morris saw a heavy workload at linebacker. Jamie Collins, Dont’a Hightower, Jerod Mayo, Dane Fletcher and Chris White all were out.
— Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan saw the most action at cornerback. Free-agent addition Robert McClain made a pass breakup on a long attempt from Garoppolo.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
