The rain that pelted the Patriots during their first day of mandatory minicamp wasn’t coming down when Bill Belichick spoke to the media before Tuesday’s practice session, though storms are in the forecast for later in the day.
The Patriots head coach had to address two less-than-sunny topics from this week’s minicamp: the absence of All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore and an injury to prized free-agent tight end Jonnu Smith during his first practice with the team.
Gilmore reportedly will not attend mandatory minicamp as he seeks a new contract; he’s currently on the books for $7 million this season.