New England Patriots

Jacoby Brissett struggles while Joe Thuney gets reps with starters

Both rookies are getting a lot of work.

Jacoby Brissett going through growing pains. Steven Senne/AP

By Henry McKenna

2 minutes to read

Jacoby Brissett is still a work-in-progress.

The 23-year-old rookie continued to rack up throwaways and hold onto the ball too long during Monday night’s practice on the turf at Gillette Stadium. With the third team, Brissett finished 16 of 34 with an interception.

Rookie Joe Thuney appeared to be taking advantage of his opportunity at left guard during practice. The rookie offensive lineman took a big handful of first-team reps in an opportunity created by Jonathan Cooper’s injury.

Here are some of the highlights from practice.

Attendance

  • Chris Hogan did not practice Monday after ending practice early Sunday. Jonathan Freeny was also not on the field for the first time this training camp. Jonathan Cooper and Bryan Stork missed their second full practice.
  • Second-year guard Shaq Mason returned to practice after starting training camp on the PUP list. He got very limited action.
  • Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola were not on the field. Nate Washington, however, was on the field without pads.

Observations

  • Kevin Faulk went through a long list of thank you’s during his Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which preceded the Patriots annual season ticket holder’s practice at Gillette Stadium. Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, Scott Zolak, and others spoke during the ceremony.
  • Brady appeared on stage in Faulk’s jersey to praise Faulk’s career. Watch his full speech here.

  • Practice was a quick 1 hour and 15 minutes long. There were four sets of 11-on-11 drills. There was also a big focus on special teams, as the Patriots practiced kickoffs, punts, and field goals. Players did a lot of watching on the sideline, which is atypical of a Patriots practices.
  • Stephen Gostkowski completed an onside kick by kicking it 10-yards straight ahead. Gostkowski also practiced a number of funky squib and pop-up kicks.
  • Thuney got work at left guard with the first team in light of Cooper’s absence. Ted Karras and Josh Kline were working at right guard.
  • While Brissett has been a bit slow reading the Patriots’ defense, Garoppolo has looked sharp and decisive.
  • With Edelman, Amendola, Hogan, and Washington out, Chris Harper and DeAndre Carter continue to have strong training camps. And yet they’re still long shots to make the roster. The receiver position is loaded for the Patriots this year.
  • Harper made an outstanding touchdown catch, stabbing his legs down quickly to stay in bounds on the sideline.
  • Logan Ryan made an athletic play to break up a pass from Garoppolo. Ryan deflected it into the air for Devin McCourty, who intercepted the ball. Brock Vereen nabbed an interception and a pass breakup on Brissett.

11-on-11 Drills

  • Final stats:
    • Brady: Three sets, 12 of 14.
    • Garoppolo: Three sets, 11 of 14 with an interception.
    • Brissett: Four sets, 16 of 34 with an interception.

To comment, please create a screen name in your profile

Conversation

This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com