FOXBORO, Mass. — This likely won’t be a common occurrence, but Jimmy Garoppolo outplayed Tom Brady at the first day of New England Patriots mandatory minicamp Tuesday.
Garoppolo completed 35 of 43 overall passes during team drills and went 13 of 17 during 11-on-11s, while Brady was 31 of 40 with an interception during team drills and went 11 of 15 during 11-on-11s. Rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett went 28 of 40 overall and 16 of 22 in 11-on-11s.
Rob Ninkovich, taking on a heavier workload in coverage, picked off Brady. Ninkovich primarily has rushed the passer over the past four seasons. The minicamp pick marked the second time Ninkovich has intercepted Brady in a week. He also picked him off Friday during Brady’s Best Buddies Football Challenge touch charity game.
Safety Cedric Thompson intercepted Brissett. Brissett had another interception bounce off cornerback Cre’Von LeBlanc’s hands and into receiver DeAndre Carter’s for a completion.
Brissett looked improved from his first showing in front of the media during the first week of organized team activities. Garoppolo has impressed at both open practice sessions. He’s been the No. 1 standout of the spring thus far.
Here’s what else went down at minicamp:
— Receivers Nate Washington and Keshawn Martin each caught nine passes during team drills. Aaron Dobson caught eight passes, including a one-handed grab on a deep pass from Garoppolo as he was draped by cornerbacks Darryl Roberts and E.J. Biggers.
— Chris Hogan showed off solid hands throughout the day and pulled in seven receptions.
— Tight end Martellus Bennett received some alone time with Brady. Bennett caught just two passes during team drills.
— Rookie running back D.J. Foster was Brissett’s favorite target during a two-minute drill. Foster caught six passes overall and continues to show quick footwork. Washington was Garoppolo’s No. 1 target during two-minute drills.
— Safety Devin McCourty and cornerback Jonathan Jones both made pass breakups during team drills.
— Martin and rookie cornerbacks Cyrus Jones and V’Angelo Bentley received work in punt return drills. Jones looks comfortable catching the ball in the returner role.
— Jones and Justin Coleman received a heavy workload with Logan Ryan absent from the practice session.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
