BB: Well, we're kind of working our way through the spring here. This is our sixth practice, first one of minicamp but sixth one counting OTAs. Just trying to move things along in the right direction. I think the players have worked hard. We have a long way to go. We've got a lot to work on, so today will give us another step there in that preparation. Dealing with a little bit of weather, which is good. We can always use that, so I'm looking forward to having a good day out here today. I hope you all enjoy it. It's nice.
Q: Did every player report to mandatory minicamp?
BB: Yeah.
Q: What is the organization's response to the comment by a family member that Tom Brady suffered a concussion last season?
BB: Well, I'm sure you know, Mike [Reiss], we file injury reports every week. So I'm not sure when the next one's due, probably sometime in September, but we'll have one for you then.
Q: How challenging is managing the reporting and treatment of concussions from a team standpoint?
BB: We file our reports in compliance with league guidelines.
Q: Have you seen progress in players self-reporting concussion-like symptoms?
BB: You know, our medical staff really handles the injury situation with players. Players don't come to me and I don't treat them for injuries. That's not really my job. That's what we have medical staff for.
Q: To what degree is player safety important to you personally, particularly as it pertains to concussions and head injuries?
BB: Yeah, I think I've talked about that quite a bit. Our foundation supports that cause. Personally, I've spent a lot of time on it.
Q: What have you seen from Malcolm Butler this spring since his return?
BB: He's been here.
Q: Is Butler the same guy now as before?
BB: He has another year of experience, but he's been here this spring.
Q: Do you like what you've seen from Jonathan Jones this offseason?
BB: Yeah, Jonathan is one of a number of players that are in their second year that you usually see a level of jump from those guys because they've been through our system before and have a better understanding of what's in the league and other schemes and so forth. I think all those guys from our rookie class last year have all made good progress - definitely ahead of where they were last year.
Q: Do you expect Jones to compete for a starting spot on the defense?
BB: I don't know.
Q: Would you classify Jacoby Brissett in a similar way and where have you seen his progress from last year?
BB: Yeah, same thing.
Q: Is it difficult to give a third quarterback the same number of reps to allow him to develop in an ideal way?
BB: Well, we have a lot of people out here so I think the reps have been split pretty equally across all positions. I think across all players, everybody's working. It's that time of year. Not sure that any of our players are ready to take the work load they would have in call it August or September. I don't think that's where we are right now anyway.
Q: In your experience, does looking good this time of year translate to looking good in September, or is that not always the case?
BB: It's a teaching camp. The most important thing for us is to get the information taught so the players have a chance to go out and execute it competitively in training camp.
Q: How much have you learned about rest and monitoring the number of reps for players starting at this time of the year?
BB: I mean, I don't know. I mean, we have 90 players. They're all in different situations. Some guys were here last year. Some guys weren't. Some guys played more than others. They're different ages, different levels of experience, so it's a little different for everybody.
Q: How is this offseason different for D.J. Foster now that he is healthy?
BB: Yeah, well he's part of that - last year's rookie class that's gained a lot of experience and has a lot better chance to make the jump this year based on all the things that are in the second year players' favor. He's part of that.
Q: You added your son Brian to the coaching staff from the scouting staff. What's the decision that goes into moving someone from scouting to coaching?
BB: Just try to make our staff as efficient as possible.
Q: Have you observed any shift in mindset from Cyrus Jones this offseason?
BB: Again, he's another player in that rookie to second year category. He's definitely further ahead than he was last year. You'd have to ask him about his mindset, but they're all ahead of where they were last year.
Q: Do you expect a similar leap for veteran players who are entering their second year with the Patriots but have been in the league for several years?
BB: Well, I'd like to think everybody improves every year. You have a chance to learn from the previous year and start all over again and put that to use. I think we all gain something. There's definitely a margin to it as the years add up, but yeah, sure. I think everybody improves in that extra year of experience.
Q: Have you been pleased with how the first-year players have picked up the system in a short amount of time?
BB: Yeah, this group has worked hard, similar to last year's group. Yep, they've been good. They've worked hard. They're trying. They've got a long way to go, but they're getting better every day and they're making progress. But they've got a long way to go, so we'll see. Just keep trudging along.
Q: What can you say about the popularity of the Patriots, proven by the large media contingent at a rainy practice in June?
BB: That's probably something better for you to talk about.
