The Patriots kicked things off with a shorts and shells practice on Thursday and will have a similar affair on Friday before busting out the pads this weekend. Despite the lack of full contact there was still plenty that could be gleaned based on the post-practice tweets from the best beat writers who were there live, as I plan to be tomorrow and Sunday.

Here are the tweets that stood out, especially ones that answered some of my questions:

Pats appear to be looking at Phillip Dorsett as an inside WR. He spent considerable time working with Julian Edelman and Brady. Also, Dorsett shook Gilmore for a nice TD in goal line 11s.

— Kevin Duffy (@KevinRDuffy) July 26, 2018

With Kenny Britt out, Dorsett is going to be one to watch this summer. Working inside is interesting, but there’s an obvious need there and if he’s versatile enough to play any receiver spot he’s going to play a big part in the offense this year. We’ll see how Kenny Britt looks as he’s expected back soon per Jeff Howe.

Tom Brady was 11 of 15 in the first practice of camp. Trent Brown and Joe Thuney started on the OL with Wynn as the backup LT. Sony Michel’s reps with the starters seemed notable. Practice ended with hill sprints.

— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) July 26, 2018

As expected Brown stepped into the left tackle spot and Thuney returned. I’m not sure I quite understand where all the Thuney dislike comes from. Many seem to want to replace him but I still think he’s an ascending player. Wynn working at backup left tackle is VERY interesting and a sign that after the spring where he played some guard they’re going to give him a look at left tackle now. Brown vs. Wynn is very real.

Defense today: Flowers-Guy-Shelton-Clayborn / Hightower-Roberts / McCourty-Chung-Harmon / Gilmore-Rowe

— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) July 26, 2018

Say hello to the base defense, a three-safety nickel with a mix of Hightower and run-stopper Roberts. Malcom Brown is still recovering, swap him in for Guy when he’s back. Makes sense to have Gilmore-Rowe out there to start, experienced group to get the initial communication and calls down. Then start taking a look at the three and four cornerback packages with new faces like Jason McCourty and the rookies.

Van Noy should swap in for Roberts (and Rivers/Butler/Wise for one of the DTs) in the “sub” passing down packages. But Roberts is clearly atop the depth chart and slated to play a significant role as a top-three linebacker. I was excited about him in 2016 as a rookie when he’d come on, blow up a running play, then get off the field when they were throwing it. The defense had to rely on him more in 2017 and he lost some of the early pop he had as a rookie, often caught by play action. His inadequacies led the team to experiment more with Marquis Flowers in an effort to get more athletic in the middle of the field.

Brian Flores wore the headset for the Patriots defense and asserted himself as a strong voice during red-zone work. Plenty of man power working with the defense. Belichick, Bielema and Brendan Daly, for instance, all worked with Flores in a period with front-seven players.

— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) July 26, 2018

Gonna be a group effort for a season or two with Flores but I’m excited just to see a new twist on the Belichick Patriot Defense. What characteristics from Matt Patricia left? Which remain? How do they get the defense more ready to go this year than they were last year when they were shredded?

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