Surprise: Collins MIA
Reason for LB’s absence unknown
FOXBORO — Of the nine Patriots who missed the opening practice of training camp yesterday, there was only one surprise, and it was a big one.
Linebacker Jamie Collins was absent for unspecified reasons. He participated throughout the offseason workout program and wasn’t placed on any injury lists to open camp, so there haven’t been any disclosed ailments.
Collins did report to Gillette Stadium this week, so it seems highly unlikely he would have had a drastic change of heart and decided to hold out over a contract dispute. Collins, of course, is in the final season of his rookie deal and is only set to earn $917,865 in cash in 2016. He could be viewed as one of the most underpaid defensive players in the NFL.
But for now, it might be wise to view Collins’ absence as something simply worth monitoring unless a string of absences pushes through the weekend. Jonathan Freeny took the bulk of Collins’ reps alongside Dont’a Hightower, and rookie Kamu Grugier-Hill also got a quick look with the first team during 11-on-11s.
Chef Gronk
If you can believe it, tight end Rob Gronkowski had the quote of the day. While discussing the pluses of Jimmy
Garoppolo’s game, Gronk noted the quarterback’s ability to maneuver throughout the pocket and scramble when necessary to keep the play alive. He was then asked if Garoppolo is a superior scrambler to Tom Brady.
“No one makes better scrambled eggs than me,” Gronk replied.
In slightly less believable fashion, Gronkowski yelled at himself at one point midway through the first practice. He dropped a Brady pass during his first target in 7-on-7s. And later in the first 11-on-11 period, safety Jordan Richards broke up a Brady pass for Gronk, which yielded a loud scream of frustration.
“Definitely frustrating for those couple of seconds, but you definitely have to move on to the next play,” Gronkowski said. “But I’ve got to definitely limit those. Hopefully, those just happen today. If we see more, then I don’t know, you can write those down, ‘Another dropped pass.’ Hopefully, they don’t happen in games. Getting them out now, that’s what I’m doing.”
Gronkowski finished the day with three catches in team drills, including two from Garoppolo and one from Brady.
Veteran experience
The seasons stack up quickly, and cornerback Malcolm Butler had a stark realization.
“It’s Year 3 already,” Butler said. “It goes by so fast.”
The positive there is Butler has noticed an increasing comfort level with that additional experience.
“I know what’s going on,” he said. “I know the ropes. I’m getting experience. The game is slowing down. I’m getting better mentally and physically, which I hope everyone else is, too. You can relax a little bit, enjoy it.”
Free work
Guard Jon Halapio had a brief stint with the Boston Brawlers of the Fall Experimental Football League during his time out of the NFL.
Though the Brawlers were a semipro team, Halapio said he was never paid. A Patriots sixth-round pick in 2014, Halapio tried to keep an optimistic tone while discussing that situation with the FXFL, noting it kept him in shape enough to get another shot in the NFL.
“I take it as if I didn’t play, I wouldn’t have this many opportunities,” Halapio said.
Quick hitters
Rob Ninkovich primarily worked with the defensive ends, though he took a sporadic rep or two off the line as a linebacker. He remained with the defensive linemen during positional drills, which is the strongest indication there isn’t a positional change in his future. It appears more and more the Patriots used Ninkovich at linebacker during the spring to lay a foundation in case they need him in an emergency situation during the season. . . .
Guard Shaq Mason, who was removed from the physically unable to perform list, needed to stretch his legs after positional drills, but he returned to practice. He didn’t participate in team drills and was riding the stationary bike at the end of practice. . . .
Defensive end Jabaal Sheard had a left foot or ankle issue early, but quickly rejoined the group and didn’t need to sit out any team drills. . . .
With rain in today’s forecast, the Patriots warn fans that if practice is moved indoors, it will not be open to the public. Updates and changes to the practice schedule can be accessed at patriots.com/training camp or by calling 508-549-0001.