FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- One lasting image on the first day of the New England Patriots' mandatory minicamp Tuesday came when quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Martellus Bennett split to the second practice field during special-teams drills.
For the next segment of practice, it was just Brady and Bennett near the end zone. At times, they went full speed. Other times, it was a bit slower as they worked to get in sync before they would discuss the nuances of route-running and what each was anticipating on the play.
“It’s a lot of communication,” Bennett relayed.
In some ways, it was the essence of a spring practice -- two new teammates building a foundation they hope will produce big-time results down the road. The opportunity was there for them to do so because fellow tight end Rob Gronkowski wasn’t at practice.
“It’s just like the student-to-teacher ratio. When it’s lower, you have a better chance of learning the material,” Bennett said.
As for Gronkowski, Patriots coach Bill Belichick didn’t want to specify the reason for his absence, but I’m told Gronkowski has consistently been at the team’s facility this offseason and has been working hard behind the scenes.
The Patriots traditionally have taken a cautious approach with Gronkowski’s health, and there’s no reason at this point to think he won’t be there when it counts.
Some other notes from Tuesday's practice:
Top rookie Jones looks smooth as punt returner. It was a windy day, and that created some challenging work for the team’s punt returners: rookie Cyrus Jones, receiver Keshawn Martin and undrafted rookie V'Angelo Bentley. At one point during practice, Bentley dropped a punt, and it was followed by Martin doing the same. Jones, a second-round pick out of Alabama, appeared to be the most comfortable of the group as he navigated the windy conditions by showing good judgment and reliable hands. On defense, Jones played alongside Malcolm Butler and Justin Coleman as the nickelback.
Stork back at center. When reporters were last present for a practice, during organized team activities on May 26, second-year player David Andrews received some quality repetitions at center when Brady was at quarterback. That was notable in the competition with incumbent starter Bryan Stork and third-round draft pick Joe Thuney. On Tuesday, Stork was back in the pivot, and Thuney also took a few snaps as he works at both left guard and center. Thuney had a white towel tucked under the back of his jersey pants (sometimes quarterbacks like that to dry their hands before taking the snap), which was a reminder to onlookers that he's also working at center.
Who was absent? The Patriots had 13 players not practicing Tuesday: receiver Julian Edelman; cornerback Logan Ryan; running back LeGarrette Blount; safety Duron Harmon; running back Dion Lewis; safety Nate Ebner; guards Tre' Jackson, Josh Kline and Shaq Mason; offensive tackles Sebastian Vollmer and Nate Solder; receiver Danny Amendola; and Gronkowski. Long-snapper Joe Cardona (Navy) was back after missing some OTA work, as were defensive tackles Frank Kearse and Alan Branch.
Dobson and Ninkovich make top plays. The plays of the day were turned in by receiver Aaron Dobson (one-handed, long-bomb TD catch from Jimmy Garoppolo with Darryl Roberts in coverage) and defensive end Rob Ninkovich (interception of Brady in 7-on-7 drills). Dobson followed up the catch with a nice sideline grab later in the session, while on Ninkovich’s pick it looked like a receiver fell down in the area as Ninkovich dropped into coverage off the left side.
Navy coaching staff on hand. Belichick seemed pleased to have Ken Niumatalolo and his Navy football coaching staff on site to watch practice. Patriots scouts also lined the field during the session. Belichick said of Niumatalolo, “We have a great relationship. He’s a good friend, and everything I’ve asked, he’s always been there for me.”
Turn down the volume. With no speakers at practice, the Patriots didn’t blast music as they sometimes do to stress communication, so there is no set list to report. What a bummer; I had been brushing up on A$AP Ferg to be prepared.
Step up to the mic. Several Patriots players stopped by the interview area after practice, with the group including Butler, tight ends Bennett and Clay Harbor, quarterbacks Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett, Jones, receivers Chris Hogan and Dobson, fullback James Develin, and Cardona. The Patriots return to the practice field Wednesday, with reporters arriving on the field at 11:25 a.m. ET.