Patriots are scheduled to be back on the field at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. Here's an initial snapshot at the roster and some observations:
NOT PRESENT
Can't be ruled out there are some contract situations playing into this: RB Rhamondre Stevenson, DE Matthew Judon, OG Mike Onwenu (coming back from surgery as well), OT Trent Brown.
Veterans: Judon, K Nick Folk, WR Juju Smith-Schuster, LS Joe Cardona, NT Davon Godchaux, DT Lawrence Guy.
Unknown/possible school implications: CB Christian Gonzalez, DE Keion White*, OG Chasen Hines, DB Isaiah Bolden.
*: Others marked White as present. It's always tough the first few days with new players and numbers. There are two 51s on the roster (White, Ronnie Perkins) and they both could be on the edge. I could have sworn that I saw only one, and it was a smaller in stature 51, leading me to believe it was Perkins. But I definitely could have been mistaken.
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Mac Jones: Looked very comfortable with what Bill O'Brien is doing with the offense. Showed some nice touch on the few deep passes that were thrown. Arm strength looks fine. Wouldn't say it's vastly improved or anything, but some improvement and it's good enough.
Bailey Zappe: Had some issues with pressure and seeing over the line. Had to tuck it and run more than the other QBs. Had a nice, sharp 15-yard with good heat that stood out.
Trace McSorley: Threw two interceptions but seemed to have a comfort level with the offense. Wore two gloves. Wonder if he's a Wildcat-type option.
Running backs
James Robinson: Good size and shiftiness from the new addition. Question will be about explosiveness and it didn't jump out in this session.
Kevin Harris: Looks a bit more trim and that has given him a little more juice.
Pierre Strong: Surprised he didn't put on a little more muscle - still on the thin side - but very active catching the ball.
J.J. Taylor: Had one of the biggest plays and bursts after a checkdown, but we've seen this before with him.
Ty Montgomery: Still listed as a WR, but he was definitely a third-down back in this practice and picked up where he left off before injury last season. Has a body like a Roman statue.
Wide receivers
Kendrick Bourne: Same as ever - quick hands catcher with some burst after the first catch. Hoping O'Brien likes him more than the previous regime.
Kayson Boutte: Definitely feeling his way as a rookie, which is to be expected. Didn't stand out with physical skills.
Demario Douglas: Early impression is that he'll be the rookie that acclimates quickly. Small stature as advertised, but so is his quickness.
Tre Nixon: Continues to make incremental progress as a slot.
DeVante Parker: About where he left off last season as a big-body boundary receiver. Didn't stand out one way or the other.
Tyquan Thornton: Looked like he was a little thicker but the most surprising thing was his usage from the slot. Talked after practice about running all the routes the same, which would be a nice Year 2 improvement.
Raleigh Webb: The special teamer looks like an H-back wearing No. 44 and with his build.
Tight ends
Anthony Firkser: Looked the part of a two-way, veteran tight end, which the team needs. In direct competition with ...
Matt Sokol: ... who has a big size advantage (6-5). Firkser is the smallest of the Pats TEs (listed as 6-2, 241).
Mike Gesicki: No surprise here that when the other TEs working on blocking, the newcomer worked with the receivers. Appeared smooth catching passes.
Hunter Henry: No question he's the No. 1 guy this early. Mac Jones still loves him some Henry.
Johnny Lumpin: The UDFA faces an uphill challenge to stick around as he lacks explosiveness. However, it's not a surprise that rookies are behind as far as football conditioning.
Scotty Washington: Looks great, despite wearing the doomed No. 17 jersey, but he didn't participate much.
Offensive line
Calvin Anderson: Got the nod at left tackle with Brown not present. Is about the only tackle with that possibility.
David Andrews: Back in command of a scheme he knows. Doesn't appear his job is in any jeopardy.
Jake Andrews: Only player listed at center with the starter, he got a lot of reps at LG and C. Rookie is built like a fire hydrant. Not overly athletic at first glance.
James Ferentz: Moved around at center and guard.
Atonio Mafi: Part of the young gun backup line at right guard. Thick build.
Conor McDermott: Now one of Belichick's guys after last season and he was the swing tackle with the starters backing up Anderson and Reiff.
Bill Murray: Suprise starter at times at RG with Onwenu out. Not bad for a former DT.
Riley Reiff: Will be one of the most closely watched players this year as he appears headed to starting at RT. Not exactly the most athletic build.
Sidy Sow: Starting off his rookie season at RT with the young guys. Definitely a big dude. We'll be watching his footwork going forward. At first blush, it was a bit plodding.
Cole Strange: Noticeably thicker, which will be important for him. Will be interesting to see him transition to this new (old) system, since it's new for him.
Andrew Stueber: Didn't stand out. Will take a closer look next session.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
DEFENSE
Defensive line
Christian Barmore: Not sure if he was in the rehab group at one point because he did not catch my eye. Tough for linemen to do that in shorts.
Carl Davis: Big run plugger got more reps with some starters out.
Daniel Ekuale: Still a solid sub guy. Will be interesting to see if he still has a role if Keion White is a depth sub-rusher at the very least.
DaMarcus Mitchell: Once again in the running for best build on the team. Lined up standing up on the edge at times.
Jeremiah Pharms: Depth player.
Sam Roberts: He made some strides last year and could have been headed for a decent role, but figures to be caught in the White sweepstakes.
Deatrich Wise: Since about Year 3, he's been about the same, steady guy. You can see the leadership provided on the field.
Edge
Anfernee Jennings: Had some nice rushes on the edge, and got Reiff once for a sack. Just steady.
Ronnie Perkins/Keion White: Whoever I saw wearing 51, neither flashed that much in the first session. Will watch closer.
Josh Uche: Appears physically to look the same and has that burst. Big contract year for him.
Linebackers
Ja'Whaun Bentley: He's the incumbent middle linebacker, for better or for worse, and it appears he won't be coming off the field anytime soon.
Chris Board: Special teams ace isn't going anywhere.
Olakunle Fatukasi: Was an intriguing candidate to flash before the offseason added more pieces.
Terez Hall: The coaches seem to continue to love him because he always has a large role with the backups.
Jourdan Heilig: The UDFA worked long and hard on special teams.
Marte Mapu: Started with Bentley at sub-linebacker even in a red jersey. Smooth, quick and covers the backs everywhere. Intriguing.
Calvin Munson: Hall and Munson are the tandem at backup ILB.
Jahlani Tavai: Belichick loves his thumping and versatility but it appears his coverage days might be over (thank goodness).
Mack Wilson: Should be the biggest beneficiary of the Raekwon McMillan injury, but it didn't appear that way on the first day. Young bucks getting the nod.
Cornerbacks
Myles Bryant: Everyone's favorite slot punching bag got a little burned on a Thornton deep pass (where was the safety?), but he's still a good, solid and versatile player in the secondary.
Tae Hayes: Was backup slot (got him confused with Marcus Jones with all the numbers switches and they're the same size). Got his hands on a few passes.
Jack Jones: Guess Belichick wasn't kidding when he said last year's suspension was in the past. Back in his boundary spot and active. Good start.
Jonathan Jones: No free safety for him in this one. He was back at No. 1 boundary corner and didn't get many (if any) snaps in the slot. Interesting.
Quandre Mosely/Rodney Randle: Didn't stand out.
Ameer Speed: Damn that rookie is tall (6-3). Worked almost exclusively with special teams.
Shaun Wade: Backup on the boundary is getting another and likely final chance. Has always done well in spring/summer.
Safety
Joshuah Bledsoe: Got into the mix at all the spots and was more of the impressive players. Knows what he's doing. A guy to watch in this safety group.
Kyle Dugger: Good on him not making a stink about his contract ... maybe that means progress is happening on an extension? Did not stand out in this practice, but I wouldn't worry about it.
Brad Hawkins: A depth safety at this point but he's active and making a push.
Jalen Mills: Seems to be a safety now and is definitely in the mix heavily. They're going to need him.
Jabrill Peppers: Has hit the ground running as a fully healthy player this time around. Looks like he's going to be impactful. Don't love him at FS.
Adrian Phillips: With Mapu at sub linebacker, Dugger in the box and Mills at FS, feels like Phillips is in a tough spot, but they love him and should.
Special teams
Tucker Addington: Longsnapper was solid filling in Cardona, but he's not for long with the vet getting an extension.
Bryce Baringer: Rookie punter looks the part, even in the goggles. Nice hang time to start.
Chad Ryland: Rookie kicker seems very solid and consistent with his ball contact.
Corliss Waitman: The second-year punter is no slouch, but it will take a lot to beat out a draft pick.
