Patriots Practice Observations: Rob Gronkowski, Malcolm Mitchell Stand Out

FOXBORO, Mass. — Heavy rain at Gillette Stadium affected a few snaps during Day 4 of New England Patriots training camp, but it didn’t slow down Rob Gronkowski.

The Patriots tight end made two highlight grabs in the end zone during 11-on-11 drills from quarterback Tom Brady. He accidentally spiked the ball into a community relations tent beside the practice field then ran over to the group for high fives.

Excitement continued to rise on offense after tight ends Martellus Bennett and Bryce Williams caught passes in the end zone from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

Here’s what else stood out at practice:

— Garoppolo and fellow QB Jacoby Brissett each had to take laps after fumbled snaps. Their centers, Kyler Kerbyson and David Andrews, also had to go for a run. Defensive tackle Markus Kuhn and linebacker Elandon Roberts recovered the fumbles.

— Brady was 5 of 7 in 11-on-11 drills and 20 of 30 overall.

— Garoppolo was 4 of 7 with an interception in 11-on-11s and 21 of 29 with two interceptions overall. Those were Garoppolo’s first picks of camp.

— Brissett was 0 for 1 in 11-on-11s and 11 of 17 overall.

— Wide receivers DeAndre Carter and Aaron Dobson had drops during team drills.

— Safety Devin McCourty and defensive back Brock Vereen snagged Garoppolo’s interceptions.

— Cornerbacks Justin Coleman and Logan Ryan and linebacker Jamie Collins recorded pass breakups during team drills.

— Here are the results from receiver-defensive back 1-on-1 drills:

• CB Malcolm Butler beat Dobson
• Gronkowski beat SS Patrick Chung
• WR Chris Harper beat Ryan
• WR Malcolm Mitchell beat Coleman
• Gronkowski beat FS Duron Harmon
• Gronkowski beat SS Jordan Richards
• Dobson beat CB Cyrus Jones
• TE A.J. Derby beat SS Vinnie Sunseri
• Harper beat CB E.J. Biggers
• Vereen broke up a pass intended for Gronkowski
• Mitchell beat CB Darryl Roberts
• Derby beat McCourty
• Carter caught a deep pass over CB Cre’Von LeBlanc
• SS Cedric Thompson beat Derby
• CB Jonathan Jones beat WR Devin Lucien
• Butler broke up a pass intended for Dobson
• Chung broke up a pass intended for Gronkowski
• Harper beat Ryan
• Derby beat McCourty
• Mitchell beat V’Angelo Bentley
• Gronkowski beat Harmon
• Richards beat Gronkowski
• Coleman broke up a pass intended for Dobson
• Sunseri broke up a pass intended for Derby
• Biggers broke up a pass intended for Harper
• Gronkowski beat Vereen
• Mitchell beat Roberts
• Carter beat Jones
• Thompson broke up a pass intended for Derby
• Jones beat Lucien

— Mitchell specifically stood out during 1-on-1s after missing practice Saturday. Mitchell also walked out to practice with Brady.

— Here are the results from 1-on-1 pass-rushing drills:

• DL Rob Ninkovich beat OL Marcus Cannon
• OL Ted Karras beat DL Anthony Johnson
• Andrews beat DL Markus Kuhn
• OL Joe Thuney beat DL Malcom Brown
• OL Nate Solder beat DL Jabaal Sheard
• DL Chris Long beat OL Cameron Fleming
• OL Jon Halapio beat DL Joe Vellano
• DL Terrance Knighton beat Kirbyson
• DL Frank Kearse beat OL Chris Barker
• OL LaAdrian Waddle beat DL Shea McClellin
• DL Trey Flowers beat OL Keavon Milton
• DL Vincent Valentine beat OL Ted Karras with a spin move
• Andrews beat DL Woodrow Hamilton
• Thuney beat DL Rufus Johnson
• Sheard beat Solder
• Ninkovich beat Cannon
• Halapio beat DL Geneo Grissom
• Johnson beat Kirbyson
• Barker beat Vellano

— Thuney, a 2016 third-round pick, has excelled in 1-on-1s in two straight days now. He’s been the best offensive lineman through the first two days of padded practices.

— Wide receiver Chris Hogan didn’t finish practice after injuring his shoulder early during a blocking drill.

— Guards Josh Kline and Shaq Mason aren’t participating in team drills yet, leaving Thuney and Karras as the top guards.

Click for the Patriots’ practice attendance >>

Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images