Here’s what you missed from day one of Patriots training camp
The soft start to Patriots season is finally here. And as Bill Belichick said on Wednesday, “I think we’re all excited to get started.”
For those who couldn’t make it down to Foxborough, here’s everything you missed:
New England’s loyal fanbase is back
Eager to watch their team take the practice fields, hordes of people patiently lined up outside Gillette Stadium before the 9 o’ clock hour.
Two entrances to Patriots training camp. Two long lines. It is 7:50 a.m. and practice starts at 9:15 a.m. pic.twitter.com/xnGHqWpsGq
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 27, 2017
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/890548390223851520
Once the gates opened, a herd charged towards the field in a determined effort to grab the best seats in the house.
Happy first day of training camp @patriots fans! pic.twitter.com/W8MGxmovPL
— Pats Historian (@PatsHistorian) July 27, 2017
The bleachers and hills were soon flooded with plenty of onlookers, many of whom were proudly donning Pats garb.
Packed house on Day 1 of #PatsCamp! pic.twitter.com/gIk88uI8ub
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) July 27, 2017
In fact, there were so many fans trying to watch the team play that the facility opened up the ramps of Gillette Stadium, allowing for an aerial view of the fields.
Malcolm Butler on crowds at camp: There’s more people than I went to college with.
— Ryan Hannable (@RyanHannable) July 27, 2017
Because of overflowing crowds, Patriots have now opened ramps to Gillette Stadium so fans can watch from ramps overlooking practice fields.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 27, 2017
Lots of fan overflow for today’s Patriots’ training camp practice pic.twitter.com/EqgC5ZnIwC
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) July 27, 2017
And, of course, some came equipped with signs poking fun at NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and the Atlanta Falcons.
Sign game is strong this morning at #PatsCamp. #Boston25 #Patriots #PatriotsNation pic.twitter.com/PiYR6h5LBI
— Adam Liberatore (@bostonTVguy) July 27, 2017
But it appears that nothing was more exciting than when quarterback Tom Brady walked on to the field, as the crowd erupted in screams.
TOM BRADY
QB-12 gets a HUGE OVATION from fans in #Foxboro when he jogs onto field for first #Patriots training camp practice. #wbz pic.twitter.com/4J3UZDY66h— Scott Sullivan (@sullybunZ) July 27, 2017
Gronk on fan reaction to TB12: “Every single year, it gets louder & louder. If I was in the stands, I’d be up on my feet cheering for him.” pic.twitter.com/DYnHdo9X4h
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 27, 2017
The players are already lighting it up on the field
Nearly the whole roster was in attendance Thursday, with linebacker Rob Ninkovich, defensive end Kony Ealy and long snapper Joe Cardona reported to be absent in addition to linebacker Dont’a Hightower and defensive end Alan Branch, who were placed on the “physically unable to perform list.” While the day wasn’t perfect…
Jimmy Garoppolo, at one point during team drills, threw three straight incompletions. 2 were interceptions.
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) July 27, 2017
Video: TE James O’Shaughnessy, coming at you, from a red-zone drill early in practice. Connection with Tom Brady just a bit off. First day. pic.twitter.com/vONeQeLK5J
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 27, 2017
…there were certainly a fair share of highlights.
This grab by Austin Carr might have been the catch of the day. UDFA was the Big Ten receiver of the year last season. pic.twitter.com/Llevs4p2FK
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) July 27, 2017
Nice pass breakup here by UDFA CB Kenny Moore, who looked great again. Finished with four PBUs and a pick. pic.twitter.com/li4YwS46iM
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) July 27, 2017
Tom Brady to Julian Edelman. TD. pic.twitter.com/PVoa6SO64J
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) July 27, 2017
First practice is in the books. Brady was 20 of 24 and completed his last 14 passes. Hit Brandin Cooks three straight times in final period.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) July 27, 2017
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/890580032829222912
Gronk looked great. He spiked a ball in the end zone during 7v7s and the crowd went crazy.
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) July 27, 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJxnrXnzgno
The team is pretty pumped about the upcoming season
Rob Gronkowski
Rob Gronkowski: “I always want to take hits. When we put those pads on, I’m going to definitely be ready.
— Ryan Hannable (@RyanHannable) July 27, 2017
Gronkowski: I was probably the most eager to get going, get rolling. pic.twitter.com/iLxntcTRGo
— Ryan Hannable (@RyanHannable) July 27, 2017
“It was a great day,” said Rob Gronkowski. “A lot of competition out there.” #Patriots pic.twitter.com/ruuSoWajfA
— Jim McBride (@globejimmcbride) July 27, 2017
Gronkowski excited to be back out here after last season ended early for him. “I had a longer vacation than most of the guys.” pic.twitter.com/j5erM36HVt
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) July 27, 2017
Malcolm Butler
Malcolm Butler on facing Brandin Cooks with #Saints jersey vs. with #Patriots: “Glad to have him on my team.”
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) July 27, 2017
On the team’s offseason additions: “Just gotta keep working. We’re not even at our best football right now. Time will tell.”
What it’s like to be a Patriot: “It’s an honor to play for this team.”
Malcolm Mitchell
Malcolm Mitchell said he’s “good to go” after being limited this spring. Seemed to be a full participant today.
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) July 27, 2017
On the whether the new receivers bring added pressure: “Well, we’re a team. And our goal is to win games. However that needs to get done.”
Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick said Rob Gronkowski’s recovery from back surgery was completed at start of offseason program. “No limits that I’m aware of.”
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 27, 2017
Belichick doesn’t appear too worried about David Harris catching up to speed with #Patriots. References similar case with Ninkovich in 2009
— Tyler Sullivan (@TylerSully) July 27, 2017
Bill Belichick is already in midseason form in his second training camp presser:
“Last year’s last year.”
“Whatever it is, it is.”
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) July 27, 2017
Belichick asked about Brady’s age and managing him differently: No, not really.
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) July 27, 2017
Q: Do you plan to write a book before you retire?
BB: Really, I am just focused on training camp and the season. That’s what I am working on— Ryan Hannable (@RyanHannable) July 27, 2017
Julian Edelman
On his favorite part of camp: “Seeing the fellas, seeing what this team is going to be made out of, seeing the new guys, seeing the old guys. That’s always the funnest part, or the most fun.”
On how the team manages its high expectations: “You manage your expectations. You focus on what you have on your plate at that moment of time, the time right now. Right now at the start of training camp you make mistakes. You want to go out and learn from them and just continually try to improve to make each day the best it can possibly be going into the regular season. Constant improvement and expectations are expectations–you always have to manage those because if you get your hopes up, you get your feelings hurt.”
On the team’s vibe: “The vibe is always good in the beginning. You want to see the vibe after Day 12 of training camp. That’s the vibe you want to see, but everyone is excited to be back. It’s good to come and get to go out and practice in front of the fans, see these guys get all riled up. It brings an energy to practice so that’s always nice, so I guess it’s a good vibe right now.”
