The Patriots officially opened training camp today. Here are some thoughts as the Patriots officially open the 2016 season.

1. How will the Patriots divide up the quarterback reps? Word is Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett will get equal reps early in camp.

2. Speaking of reps. Running backs coach Ivan Fears will have his hands full figuring out reps for a crowded backfield. 

3. Rob Gronkowski will practically be in bubble wrap in this camp and I’m ok with that. I don’t see any reason for him to play in more than one pre-season game.

4. Same goes for Julian Edelman. There is no reason to push him in camp. Let him rest up and get ready for the regular season. Ditto for Danny Amendola.

5. The Patriots offensive staff will have plenty of evaluating to do at wide receiver. It’s crowded. Do the Patriots give veterans like Nate Washington and Aaron Dobson an extended look or do they give more reps to rookies Malcolm Mitchell and Devin Lucien?

6. The competition in the secondary for the nickel and dime spots will be interesting to follow. Obviously we know Logan Ryan and Malcolm Butler will start. The third and fourth corner spots are up for grabs. 

7. The rotation at defensive end ought to be interesting. With Chandler Jones gone, the Patriots are going to rely on veterans Chris Long and Jabaal Sheard to replace some of Jones production. I’m also curious to see how many reps Trey Flowers and Geno Grissom get. Bill Belichick is high on both.

8. Offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia has a lot of work to do in regards to figuring out who his top eight offensive lineman are. He will be evaluating his guys from individual drills to group settings to team period.

9. I’m guessing we’ll see more of a no nonsense Belichick in this camp. The attention to detail in all phases of the game will be off the charts. No Brady means more pressure on everyone else. 

10. I’m curious to see how the Patriots use their personnel defensively. There will be a lot of moving parts on that side of the ball.