Patriots minicamp: Defense shines in final practice

FOXBORO – On the final day of Patriots minicamp, the defense made a stand.

Over the previous two days, Tom Brady’s had his way with the secondary. During these non-contact practices, that’s usually how it goes as Brady typically completes around 70-plus percent of his passes. On Thursday, the Patriots defense had other plans.

In Brady’s first 11-on-11 session, the defense was all over the place. The quarterback’s first pass was nearly [...]

FOXBORO – On the final day of Patriots minicamp, the defense made a stand.

Over the previous two days, Tom Brady’s had his way with the secondary. During these non-contact practices, that’s usually how it goes as Brady typically completes around 70-plus percent of his passes. On Thursday, the Patriots defense had other plans.

In Brady’s first 11-on-11 session, the defense was all over the place. The quarterback’s first pass was nearly intercepted by Jonathan Jones before Julian Edelman batted the ball out of the cornerback’s hands. Two plays later, Brady was sacked. He ended that first session with three incomplete passes on two pass deflections and a Matt LaCosse drop.

When it was all said and done, Brady finished 6/11 in full-team drills with four of his incomplete passes batted down by Jones, Duke Dawson, Jamie Collins and Stephon Gilmore. It was a strong finish for the Patriots defense.

Brady started the day going 4/4 in 7-on-7s. Jarrett Stidham had an up and down day going 1/1 in 7-on7-s before finishing 4/8 in full-team drills. Brian Hoyer had a strong day going 1/2 in 7-on-7s and 5/7 in 11-on-11s.

Early in practice, it was noteworthy that Brady and Hoyer had a side session with just N’Keal Harry and Jacobi Meyers. Josh McDaniels was there to coach both rookies up. Meyers had a solid day, with a nice touchdown grab from Stidham.

The play of the day came on a leaping Phillip Dorsett catch. The receiver caught the touchdown reception from Hoyer, but needed to jump over rookie JoeJuan Williams to do so.

Jamie Collins had a solid week. This marked his second day in a row where he knocked down a Brady pass. He’s lining up to start with the Patriots this season. Derek Rivers also saw time with the projected starting defense on Thursday.

J.C. Jackson was absent on Thursday after practicing the first two days of minicamp. Also missing was Patrick Chung, Sony Michel, Nate Ebner, Yodny Cajuste, Nick Brossette, Demaryius Thomas and Deatrich Wise.

Up next, the Patriots wrap up their offseason workout program with two days of OTAs next week on Monday and Tuesday. Monday is the last day of media access until training camp.