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Observations From Patriots OTAs On Thursday

BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots held their third OTA session of the year on Thursday, but it was the first time the media was invited to watch.

It was 85 degrees and humid, giving the session a training camp feel to it. We won't learn too much from these days sessions, given players aren't in pads and can't really hit each other, but it's football. Even 11-on-11 drills can serve as an appetizer with training camp just over two months away.

Here are some of the observations from Thursday's OTA session.

All Three Quarterbacks Get Their Reps

Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo and rookie Jacoby Brissett all got some work in on Thursday.

WBZ-TVs Dan Roche said Brady looked like his usual self while Brissett made the mistakes you would expect out of a rookie.

Size Matters

Rochie also said the size of Terrance "Pot Roast" Knighton was apparent, even from far away. It was almost as though Vince Wilfork was back on the field for the Patriots.

Who's That?

Part of OTAs is getting a good feel for everyone on the roster -- including their uniform numbers.

Roche noticed running back Donald Brown a lot on Thursday, donning the No. 34 jersey, as well as tight end Clay Harbor. On defense, it was rookie Cyrus Jones who was turning the most heads. He's wearing the No. 24, hoping to become the latest corner to enjoy success with the Patriots in that jersey.

Bill Belichick Was In Mid-Season Form

If you don't think OTAs should be taken seriously, don't say that to Bill Belichick.

Also of note: despite the warm weather Belichick was out and about in his usual hoodie.

Bill-Hoodie
It was hot and humid for Thursday's OTAs at Gillette Stadium, but that didn't stop Bill Belichick from rocking the hoodie. (WBZ-TV)

One Newcomer Made His Presence Known

The Patriots traded for tight end Martellus Bennett to give Brady another big target in the middle of the field. It didn't take long for him to make an impact.

Roche said that Brady first pass of the 11-on-11 drills went Bennett's way, and he targeted his new tight end quite often throughout the day.

Dante Scarnecchia Is Back Big!

Scar is back along the offensive line after a two-year retirement, and that brief time away from football hasn't softened him one bit.

Roche said Scar was very active with all the young linemen, making it clear where they are supposed to be along the line with his hands-on approach.

Several Notable Absences

While the Patriots had all three of their quarterbacks in action, there were several big name players missing from Thursday's session.

Highlighting that list are Rob Gronkowski, LeGarrette Blount and Dion Lewis on the offensive side, and Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan and Duran Harmon on the defensive side. It's unclear why Gronk, Butler, Ryan and Harmon were absent from the session, while Blount and Lewis both finished last season on injured reserve.

Receivers Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola were also not on the field, but that was to be expected as they both recover from offseason surgeries.

There wasn't much of an offensive line on the field either, as Nate Solder, Sebastian Vollmer, Tre' Jackson, Shaq Mason, and Josh Kline were all missing. On the defensive line, Alan Branch and Frank Kearse were both absent.

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