Stephon Gilmore’s return lifts Pats in padded practice
FOXBORO » Stephon Gilmore was back at practice Tuesday after missing the past four workouts to tend to a personal matter away from Foxboro.
His absence, which Bill Belichick referred to as being “excused” during his regularly scheduled WEEI radio appearance Monday, was extended given Gilmore also had to go through several days of testing due to the COVID-19 protocols in place before he was allowed back.
However long it lasted, many of his teammates were just glad to have the AP Defensive Player of the Year back on the field, and working with the unit.
“It’s always good. Steph is a guy that we all look up to,” said safety Terrence Brooks. “I know, speaking for me, I like to have Steph out there because I can learn from him.
Just the way he covers, the way he goes about practice, the way he carries himself.
“It’s always good to get your brother back in the build. We definitely missed him. It felt good to have him out there, you don’t need to worry about as many receivers when he’s out there.”
Linebacker Chase Winovich, who considers himself the president of the Gilmore fan club, at least from a social media perspective, was also happy to see the shutdown corner return to the huddle.
“I love playing with Steph. He’s just a beast,” Winovich said before later adding: “I love Steph, he’s a great teammate and it’s great having him on the field.”
Gilmore was a full-go during Tuesday’s session. He participated in team drills. Of note, he went 0-2 during 1-on-1s, both times against Mohamed Sanu.
The other, other Belichick
Last season, new safety Brooks came to love playing under safeties coach Steve Belichick. The same went for playing for his new head coach and Steve’s father, Bill.
So perhaps it should come as no surprise that after Steve shifted to coaching outside linebackers this offseason and was replaced by his brother Brian Belichick, Brooks is still having fun on the field.
“He’s a good dude. I love that guy, too,” Brooks said of Brian Belichick after practice Tuesday. “He’s very enthusiastic, he’s ready to work every day, he’s ready to get us better. I feel like the standard hasn’t changed. He still expects a lot out of us and tells us where we need to be. For the most part, I think he’s done a great job.
“Not too far off from his brother and from his dad, so it’s pretty sweet.”
Under Brian Belichick, Brooks is competing for a starting job at strong safety, which was previously occupied by Patrick Chung. His primary competition, Adrian Phillips, has missed the last several practices due to an unknown injury. With the Belichicks, Brooks says he’s never been better as a player.
Got milk?
In a strange turn of events after practice Tuesday, second-year linebacker Winovich jumped from speaking with reporters about football to his physical recovery to … dairy?
“It’s one of those things where I feel like there’s a subtle war against milk,” Winovich said. “And as an avid dairy drinker, I definitely enjoy that. And my Twitter account has become a bit of a beverage review account. But I obviously enjoy milk, think dairy farmers do excellent work around this country.
“We need to appreciate them and the beautiful cows that are also milked and produce this delicious milk.”