It was an eventful start to the summer for the New England Patriots as they kicked off their first practice of training camp behind Gillette Stadium on Saturday. And among the most notable performances was that of quarterback Tom Brady, who stole the show despite being off the field.
The 45-year-old quarterback, who announced his retirement earlier this year, was spotted at the practice, watching and learning from his teammates. While his exact role with the team remains unclear, it's evident that Brady is still deeply invested in the sport.
WR Kayshon Boutte was another standout performer, catching the attention of quarterback Drake Maye with a 40-yard gain on a deep ball down the left sideline. "It's nothing new," Maye said after practice. "You guys have seen it all year last year, and the year before. He just keeps doing things right. I'm proud of him for getting in there, jumping in there. He understands if he's got something down the sideline, and a ball down the field, that he's got a chance it's coming his way. Great catch."
Meanwhile, quarterback Tommy DeVito struggled during his first series on the field, going 0-for-3. He was the only quarterback to see significant action, but his performance left much to be desired.
WR DeMario Douglas continued to play a significant role in the team's passing offense, hauling in two passes from Drake Maye and serving as a key slot receiver. The fourth-year receiver has been actively involved in the team's spring sessions and appears to be building on that momentum.
Cornerback Christian Gonzalez, expected to be the highest-paid player in the NFL, made a strong impression in his first practice, providing tight man coverage on A.J. Brown. He was not seriously tested the rest of the session, but his participation was a positive development after minicamp.
Safety Mike Brown, the Patriots' offseason pickup, saw action with the starter-level defense in nickel packages, serving as the third safety alongside Kevin Byard and Craig Woodson. While he was beaten by DeMario Douglas at one point, his usage suggests that he might be more than a special teamer for New England.
The Patriots will hold their second practice of training camp on Sunday, with gates opening at 9:15 p.m. ET and the session set to start an hour later. As the team continues to build chemistry and fine-tune their skills, fans will be eager to see how they progress in the coming days.
Source: Yahoo Sports