FOXBORO -- If Day 1 belonged to the quarterbacks, Day 2 saw Patriots defensive backs exact a bit of revenge.
OK, that may be a bit dramatic for this point in camp, which has lacked any contact drills, and has looked like a continuation of the team's spring passing camps. But the point remains: Friday appeared to be a positive day for the Patriots secondary.
After a slow start to camp in which the defense watched both Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo complete over 70 percent of their attempts -- Brady threw just three incompletions on Thursday -- the team's second workout on the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium featured a glut of positive plays from those in the defensive backfield.
The one that drew the loudest reaction from fans -- after a delay during which they processed who was responsible -- was when Malcolm Butler swatted away a Brady pass to Aaron Dobson in the end zone. Happening right in front of coach Bill Belichick, it was a play that briefly showed what can happen when a defense's pass-rush and coverage on the back end are in sync. Linebacker Jonathan Freeny pressured Brady off the edge, which forced a quick throw, which allowed Butler to make a play on the ball.
For this time of year, it might be hard to find a more well-executed few moments.
It has looked as though Butler and third-year corner Logan Ryan have seen plenty of reps simultaneously with safety Devin McCourty in the deep part of the field, but there were other names responsible for some of the unit's brighter moments.
Free-agent acquisition Bradley Fletcher broke up two passes -- one to Josh Boyce in a 7-on-7 period, and one to Brian Tyms in a 11-on-11 period -- that would have gone for touchdowns; safety Patrick Chung helped disrupt a throw from Brady to tight end Scott Chandler in the end zone; rookie safety Jordan Richards made a positive play for the second straight day by being in good position to help force an incompletion to Rob Gronkowski; safety Tavon Wilson broke up a handful of passes, including an impressive bat of a back-shoulder throw from Brady to Chandler; and another newcomer, slot corner Robert McClain, who has been lauded by Belichick more than once since signing, broke up a would-be score to receiver Jonathan Krause.
New England Patriots
"He’s a smart kid, very disciplined, works hard, very hard working guy, has a good understanding of football, the different positions on defense, the different positions in the kicking game," Belichick said of McClain before Friday's practice. "He’s a versatile player with some experience, so he’s been in a lot of NFL games. We’ll let him compete with the other players at his position and see how it goes. But we think he’s a guy who is established in the league, so we’ll see how he does in our situation and the things we ask him to do. But he’s a great kid to have around – really alert, bright, good learner, good teammate. I just think he fits in well with this team. I’m glad we have him."
It wasn't a perfect day for those chasing Brady's throws all over the field. Rookie Darryl Roberts was beaten three times in a short span when given tough assignments -- twice by Julian Edelman and once by Danny Amendola. Butler was beaten by Edelman at one point as well, and Chung was on the wrong end of a Brady-to-Gronkowski connection. Even McCourty appeared to get a little over-aggressive during one rep, contacting Edelman deep down the middle of the field before the ball arrived.
But by and large, for a secondary whose construction has elicited plenty of questions this offseason, Friday's practice was one to build on. Whether it can continue that positive momentum this weekend, when pads are expected to be introduced, will be worth watching.