Patriots OTA notebook: Brian Hoyer’s turn to shine, Dont’a Hightower returns

It’s almost as if the Patriots’ quarterbacks are taking turns in the spotlight. Mac Jones was the star of the team’s first open OTA practice two weeks ago, followed by Jarrett Stidham last week. During Thursday’s final open practice before minicamp, it was Brian Hoyer taking center stage.

While the two younger quarterbacks seemed to be more conservative in their decision-making (Cam Newton didn’t practice due to a thumb injury he suffered last week), Hoyer time and time again opened up the offense, taking shots downfield in team drills. More often than not, he was connecting with his receivers.

It wasn’t a concentrated effort either – the 35-year-old QB was spreading the ball around. His targets on some of his longer pass completions included Jakobi Meyers, Gunner Olszewski, Isaiah Zuber, Marvin Hall, and Devin Asiasi, who hauled in a rainbow that traveled over 55 yards in the air.

MROE: Videos from Thursday’s Patriots practice

Hoyer’s confidence and experience compared to the other two signal-callers on the field was apparent, and portrays part of the reason the team chose to bring him back as a free agent. His ability to play aggressive and take chances, combined with his experience in both the NFL and Patriots’ offensive system (a field  where Jones and Stidham may be lacking) will allow him to test the defense mentally as well as physically. In other words, he’s the most likely to go out there and just sling the ball around.

Of course, it’s just one session. Like with Stidham last week, it’s certainly encouraging to see guys play well, but it doesn’t mean they’re locked in to take over the starting job. Competition breeds success, and one quarterback playing well will help push the whole room. The good news for the Patriots is it seems like everybody at the position is clicking heading into minicamp next week.

Beyond Hoyer’s performance, there were a number of notable happenings at Thursday’s practice. Here’s the big takeaways…

• Tricky Stidham

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  Over the last few practices, Stidham’s play-fake ability has stood out. It’s an element of his game he’s clearly worked on, and it’s noticeable how effectively he’s getting the ball in and out of the running back’s chest, and hiding it with his body without losing sight of the play developing down field.
  
  Sure, this is a small element of the game, but details are important. The Patriots project to be a play-action-heavy team this year, and if Stidham is going to play it’s a skill that will help him be successful.

• Dont’a Hightower returns

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  After a report from ESPN’s Mike Reiss Thursday morning that linebacker Dont’a Hightower has had a notable presence inside Gillette Stadium in recent weeks, Hightower made his 2021 practice debut. The 31-year-old linebacker appeared to be moving well after a year off (COVID opt-out) and participated in both positional and team drills. 
  
  Hightower wasn’t the only player making his first appearance of the year on Thursday. Devin McCourty, J.C. Jackson, Trent Brown, and Adrian Phillips also worked out for the first time in front of the media. Dalton Keene, Rhamondre Stevenson, Damien Harris, and Joshuah Bledsoe had been present but non-participants during the first two sessions of media availability, but took part in drills on Thursday.

• Have a day, Josh Uche

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  There weren’t many team reps for the defensive front during Thursday’s practice, with most of the team drills consisting of 7-on-7’s. Still, during the few reps that were available it was hard to not notice Josh Uche.
  
  The second year linebacker was flying off the ball, and got around the edge a number of times in passing drills. He collected two “sacks” (getting to the QB before the throw in non-contact drills) in a handful of plays.
• Kendrick Bourne brings the energy

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  With Cam Newton not taking part in practice, the Patriots’ offense wasn’t just missing their QB1 but also the emotional leader of the group. On Thursday, newly-signed wide receiver Kendrick Bourne seemed to take on that responsibility. Bourne is a high-energy guy who clearly has fun on the football field, and that excitement seemed to rub off on those around him.
  
  That’s not to say Bourne is just out there to be a mascot. The 25-year-old put together yet another solid practice in both individual and team drills. While he’s not the most explosive receiver, he’s incredibly sound technically and has strong hands - the two most common traits of pass catchers who succeed in the Patriots’ offense.

• Hunter Henry banged up?

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  About halfway through practice, tight end Hunter Henry stepped aside to speak with the Patriots’ training staff. He seemed to be focused on his left ankle, which the trainers taped up. Henry stayed on the field through the end of practice, but didn’t run any more routes.

• Special teams focus

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  Halfway through practice, the team spent about half an hour on kickoff and punt coverage/return drills, 11-on-11. Bill Belichick mentioned Thursday morning that the team is “starting to get into more of football instead of just drills and fundamentals,” so this was a logical step. 
  
  This extended period put the focus on the team’s best unit from last season, and they didn’t disappoint. Jake Bailey in particular showed no rust. Even though the drill seemed to be designed to encourage returns, he was still booming kicks. Here’s his hang times. 

  
  
  • 4.33 seconds
  • 4.38
  • 4.49
  • 4.59
  • 4.38
  • 4.45
  • 4.25
  • 4.42
  • 3.72
  • 4.35
  • 4.25
• Play of the day

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  On one of his few downfield throws of the day, Jarrett Stidham connected with Kristian Wilkerson in a team drill on what was a great play by both the quarterback and receiver. Throwing into a tight window, Stidham put the ball where only Wilkerson would have a shot at it, and Wilkerson laid out to make an impressive horizontal grab.
  
  There was another notable connection between Brian Hoyer and Marvin Hall, again in team drills. Hall was working against cornerback Dee Virgin on the outside. Hoyer threw him a jump ball, with Hall high-pointed perfectly, and adjusted in the air to keep himself in bounds.

• Odds n’ ends

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  • While the rest of the team was working on kickoff drills using a Jugs machine, Jake Bailey and Joe Cardona were left off to the side. They ended up having a field goal kicking contest of their own. Bailey hit from 70 yards off a tee, but perhaps more impressive was Cardona - the long snapper - knocking a line-drive through from about 45 yards out. 
  • Matt LaCosse had a strong practice, and has looked solid so far this spring after opting out last year. It’s hard to see where he fits on the 53-man roster between the two newly-signed tight ends and last year’s draft picks, but he’s doing his part.
  • While most New Englanders have been struggling with the recent heat wave, Bill Belichick has made sure to make the most of the opportunity. “We've had some good, warm weather out there. Good Boston weather the last couple of weeks,” Belichick noted before Thursday’s practice. “So that's I think helped us a little bit too with our just overall conditioning and ability to go out there and run around.”

• Taking attendance

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  The Patriots were without 14 of their players on Thursday, most notably Cam Newton. Newton’s absence was announced by Belichick before practice on Thursday. Wide receiver Nelson Agholor also missed his first public OTA session of the spring. Lawrence Guy and Rashod Berry were also missing for the first time.
  
  Here’s the other 10 players that missed practice:
  
  

  • RB Sony Michel
  • RB James White
  • RB Brandon Bolden
  • WR Devin Smith
  • TE Jonnu Smith
  • OT Isaiah Wynn
  • DT Byron Cowart
  • LB Terez Hall
  • CB Stephon Gilmore
  • K Nick Folk

The Patriots’ will have their final OTA practice on Friday, which will be closed to the media. They’ll regroup after the weekend, with mandatory minicamp beginning on Monday.

MORE: Bob Socci breaks down Patriots OTAs with Zolak & Bertrand

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Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.