FOXBOROUGH — For two hours, football was back in Foxborough.
The Patriots held the third practice of their Organized Team Activities (OTAs) Thursday under cloudy skies outside Gillette Stadium. Most players were present, but none wore pads. There were also a few notable absences — Tom Brady among them.
Consisting mostly of positional drills and 11-on-11 red zone work, these OTAs allowed rookies like first-round wideout N’Keal Harry and fourth-round quarterback Jarrett Stidham to see significant snaps. Harry made a practice-best five catches during team periods. He also had one drop.
Here’s all that we saw and learned during a rare day of spring football.
Play of the Day
Patriots wide receiver K'Neal Harris catches a pass during an OTA practice outside Gillette Stadium on Thursday, May 23, 2019.AP
Harry’s sideline snag over J.C. Jackson
On his final target of team drills, the 6-foot-3 rookie plucked a back-shoulder pass from Stidham over the talented Jackson. Until that point, Jackson hadn’t allowed a catch and nearly knocked this one away to keep a clean sheet. However, Harry proved too strong and managed to keep himself inbounds to put an exclamation mark on his afternoon.
Player of the Day
DT Adam Butler
Butler picked off Brian Hoyer while making a short zone drop in 11-on-11s and raced his prize back all the way back to the far end zone — well after the whistle had blown. He also batted Hoyer’s next pass to the ground for an incompletion. Working against the strong interior of New England’s offensive line, Butler proved to be the best player on a brilliant day.
Quarterback corner
Brian Hoyer: 9-of-13, INT
Danny Etling: 6-of-12
Jarrett Stidham: 6-of-13
Offensive notes
- Joe Thuney split first-team left tackle snaps with Cole Croston. The Patriots were thin at offensive tackle with Isaiah Wynn and third-round rookie Yodny Cajuste both rehabbing their way back from injuries. More on that here.
- When Thuney kicked out to tackle, Brian Schwenke replaced him at left guard.
- Ben Watson consistently led the tight ends in team drills and positional work.
- Harry looked more polished than expected. He demonstrated good body control, playing strength and route nuance. His success against New England’s backup defensive backs attracted more targets from Etling and Stidham as the day wore on.
- Julian Edelman, Philip Dorsett and Dontrelle Inman were the first three receivers out of the gate during positional drills.
- Inman had a rough go in 11-on-11s, but moved well during individual work.
- When the team split into positional drills and special teams, running backs James White and Darien Harris ran routes with the wide receivers and tight ends.
Defensive notes
- Linebacker Jamie Collins aligned frequently on the edge, where he looks most at home. If he makes the team, Collins seems destined for a third-down role.
- Throwing at Stephon Gilmore remains a hazardous idea. He broke up a pass intended for Julian Edelman on a whip route, usually an Edelman special, and didn’t allow a catch all day.
- Gilmore and Jason McCourty were the first-team cornerbacks.
- Jackson led all Patriots with two PBUs.
- Second-round rookie cornerback Joejuan Williams got off to a rough start, then rebounded with an easy interception. At 6-foot-4, he towers over his fellow defensive backs not named Obi Melifonwu.
- Defensive end Derek Rivers saw extensive first-team snaps.
- Third-round defensive end/linebacker Chase Winovich picked up a would-be sack.
Special teams notes
- Punter Ryan Allen and long snapper Joe Cardona were not present.
- Fifth-round rookie punter Jake Bailey consistently boomed punts. He didn’t face any rush, but leg strength and hang time shouldn’t be questions when the staff evaluates him against Allen this summer.
- The initial punt return group did not include Julian Edelman. The primary punt returners — at least for one practice on one day — were Braxton Berrios, Maurice Harris and Ryan Davis.
- Edelman, Dorsett, Harry and Burkhead also took punt return reps.
- Stephen Gostkowski likes to play soccer.
Mystery man
There was an unlisted No. 72 present and practicing with the wide receivers. He also grouped with the punt returners.
Attendance
Tom Brady, Sony Michel and Kyle Van Noy led a long list of absentees Thursday.
What’s next?
The Patriots will reconvene next week for more OTAs on Wednesday and Thursday.
The next practices made available to the media will be the team’s mandatory minicamp from June 4-6.