Welcome to first and 10, a roundup of all the (mostly) Patriots-related news you need to start your Friday. Grab your coffee and let’s get to it.
Happy Memorial Day weekend! Here's hoping everyone enjoys a pleasant and safe next few days. Some quick thoughts before we get things started this morning.
--You knew Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski weren't going to be on the field Thursday -- remember, they didn't show last spring either -- but it was still a little strange to have both of them completely off the radar. In their place (and based in no small order on the news of his new deal earlier in the week), it felt a little like Julian Edelman's team. There was all sorts of above-them-marquee talent on the field, but Edelman was clearly the acknowledged leader. He was all over the field, a tone-setter for the first open practice of the spring. Bob Socci had a nice note here about Edelman and his work as a punt returner on Thursday. Maybe I'm breaking one of my own rules and making too much of one spring practice, but between his new deal and what transpired Thursday, the year is certainly starting on an up note for Edelman.
--N'Keal Harry took a lot of reps on Thursday. It's really early, but you can see what the Patriots are looking for -- he went head to head with some of New England's defensive backs, and was able to convert on a nice back-shoulder reception. He didn't look overwhelmed -- a big body who can go up and get it.
--Cool to see Troy Brown and Kevin Faulk on the field working with players on Thursday. Not sure if it was just a one-off thing, or if the two will be more involved going forward. Whatever the case may be, the sight of the two of them -- and Jerod Mayo playing a heavy role with the defensive coaching staff -- is a nice nod to the past.
--There are four more open practice dates where we will get to see them before they break for the summer: June 4-6 (mandatory minicamp, which Brady is slated to attend) and June 10 (the final OTA session). My money is still on Bill Belichick calling off one of those for some sort of surprise group outing, but we'll see.
Now, on with the links…
1. Greg was impressed in his first look at the 2019 Patriots.
2. I put together a practice report from Thursday’s session.
3. We’ve got post-practice video from Jamie Collins, Dontrelle Inman and N’Keal Harry.
4. Mark Farinella of the Associated Press writes on Julian Edelman — with his new deal in hand, getting down to the business of football. "We got something done," the veteran wide receiver said Thursday. "Business is business, and we're done with that, and all I know is that we're here and I'm going to be here for a few more years. I couldn't be any more happy."
Veteran free agent jersey numbers for OTAs: pic.twitter.com/15vAuUb4kE
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) May 23, 2019