Patriots Minicamp Day 1: Butler Present; Gronk Doesn't Practice
BOSTON (CBS) -- The New England Patriots kicked off a three-day minicamp on Tuesday, and while we're still a ways away from meaningful football, there is plenty to be learned from this week's practices.
Here are some observations from Day 1 of the Patriots' minicamp:
Malcolm Butler Was There, But 13 Patriots Missed Practice
Forget about any contract issues with the Super Bowl XLIX hero. Butler was present on Tuesday after missing OTAs a few weeks ago.
And that OTA absence sounds like a family issue Butler had back home.
But the Patriots were without 13 players for Tuesday's session, including some key guys on offense.
Gronk Doesn't Practice
The biggest name on that DNP list is tight end Rob Gronkowski, who hadn't missed an offseason practice until Tuesday.
We'll have to wait and see if there is something going on with the All Pro tight end, or if he gets to ease into things this season.
Neither Does Danny...
Another big question from Tuesday is where is Danny Amendola? He was running all over the place Friday night during Brady's flag football game at Harvard Stadium, but missed Tuesday as well.
Enough Snaps For Everyone Under Center
The snaps were pretty evenly distributed among New England's three quarterbacks, though rookie Jacoby Brissett only saw action with the third team:
Pats Hall Of Famer Troy Brown Helps On Special Teams
No, TB80 didn't suit up and return a few kicks. But he did assist in coaching the special teams unit.
And it sounds like rookie corner/kick returner Cyrus Jones is already impressing those on the Patriots beat.
Stork Back At Center Of Attention?
As for who will be snapping the ball to Tom Brady (or potentially Jimmy Garoppolo for four games), it looks like Bryan Stork is back to being the man with the ball in his hands.
Brady Putting In The Work With Bennett
Patriots fans are really going to like Martellus Bennett, especially in the red zone:
Patriots Welcomed Navy Staff To Gillette
Long snapper Joe Cardona was present on Tuesday, and so was his former coach at Navy.
