Practice report 08.08.17: Gronk strikes back

FOXBOROUGH — In what was very likely the final open public practice of training camp at Gillette (the Patriots go to West Virginia on Monday to face off with the Texans), the Patriots looked the part of defending champions as they had their way with the Jaguars.

Let's take a look at what went down:

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Gronk was back: We still haven't seen the whole "Gronk Experience" on the field since the first practice, but his play took a huge leap today and he was back to being the ultimate weapon in the red zone and third down. Whether it was one-on-ones with DBs, or in team drills, Gronk dominated the Jaguars' secondary. Not sure why Gronk was been muted as far as his post-play antics, but there's no question he has been. Could be something physical, or it could be as simple as Bill Belichick saw the film on the first day and said, "Hey Gronk, chill the hell out." Doesn't really matter, because all the Patriots want him to do is be healthy and dominate. We saw that today.

Brady, offense sharp: The first-team offense with Tom Brady at the helm had five drives of 11-on-11 in various situations, including goal line. They didn't go three-and-out on any of them, and I counted five touchdowns (some were in the same session, like goal line and low red zone).

Jaguars are not good: They have some nice pieces on both sides of the ball, but they are very far from being a good football team. QB Blake Bortles was either getting sacked, holding the ball and/or throwing it not close to his receivers on just about every play. And the defense keeps getting burned over the top. It was like the Patriots were scrimmaging their JV team.

TAKING ATTENDANCE

Reserve/injured list: DL Corey Vereen.

Physically unable to perform list: LB Dont’a Hightower, DT Alan Branch, OT Andrew Jelks (NFI).

Red non-contact jerseys: Just the quarterbacks, as usual.

Not participating: LT Nate Solder, S David Jones, WR Malcolm Mitchell, WR Matthew Slater, RB Mike Gillislee, TE James O’Shaughnessy, CB Eric Rowe, LB Trevor Bates, LB Shea McClellin, OT Tony Garcia.

Returned to practice: Mitchell, but not in team drills. He's getting closer.

New injuries: None.

Visitors: Robert Kraft, Chip Kelly, Teddy Bruschi, Willie McGinest, Troy Brown, Galynn Brady.

DRESS CODE

Full pads.

TOP PLAYS

• Malcolm Butler beautifully undercut a soft pass from Blake Bortles to Arrelious Benn and knocked it away.


• Bortles tried to go up top to Allen Robinson but Stephon Gilmore was all over the coverage, and then Duron Harmon cleaned it up. Another underthrown ball.


• Devin Lucien keeps making plays, including one along the sideline from Jimmy Garoppolo that beat tight coverage from two defenders.


• Brady and Gronkowski hooked up on a beauty of a play where the tight end ran and out to the sideline and Brady fit it into tight coverage.


• Brady and Brandin Cooks hooked up on another touchdown in the left corner of the end zone. Cooks is buying real estate there.


• Nifty back-shoulder throw from Brady to Dwayne Allen, and a nice adjustment by the tight end for the touchdown.