Jeff Howe reports Devin McCourty is preparing for both cornerback and safety positions.

"There’s no one set position," McCourty said yesterday. "If I knew, I would tell you."

Because Belichick consistently preaches versatility, McCourty said he never ruled out the possibility of switching positions, even after a successful rookie season.

"Here? To tell you the truth, I wouldn’t have told you ‘no way’ at all," McCourty said. "We’ve got guys that played offense and defense. To think a guy can’t move and play some corner and some safety, I don’t think it’s crazy."

Regardless of his position, McCourty said his top goal for 2012 is to maintain consistency. To achieve that, he’s become more dedicated to self-scouting, watching film to see how receivers try to attack him. Those tendencies can be telling, and they point him in the right direction for training purposes.

"You put everything into this," McCourty said. "Sometimes you get good plays, you get bad plays. I think in this sport, you really have to focus on what’s next and how to go from there, working on your game, trying to improve.

"Last year, to me, is over. The ups and downs and different things played a part of that. But I still feel like I put in work, and I’m going to keep putting in work and trying to improve."

Jeff Howe reveals Devin McCourty might have played through more pain than anyone realized last season, after suffering a separated right shoulder in the Week 10 victory over the Jets.

"It’s doing better," McCourty said. "I’m rehabbing it. It’s getting stronger, progressing."

"It’s like anything," McCourty said. "During the season, you always get some bumps and bruises. Rehabbing, working through it, I was able to get back pretty fast."

TEAM TALK

• The New England Patriots announce the franchise tender signing of WR Wes Welker and the signing of sixth-round draft choice DB Nate Ebner.
• Andy Hart helps us get to know Patriots punter Zoltan Mesko in PFW's latest installment of Inside the Helmet.
• Paul Perillo breaks down the Patriots roster position by position: Running backs.
• Andy Hart offers a Patriots positional stock analysis: Offense.

LOCAL LINKS

• Christopher Price notes the OTAs started Monday at Gillette.
• Jeff Howe reports Devin McCourty says his shoulder is 'getting stronger'.
• Field Yates hears from Rob Gronkowski's former coach Mike Stoops, who describes Gronk as "just a monster".
• Mike Reiss notes Matt Light was making the rounds at ESPN on Tuesday.
• Mike Riess posts two soundbites from Matt Light's interview with Colin Cowherd on Wes Welker's contract negotiations and Brady's longevity.
• Mike Reiss notes Matt Light played a game of "Patriots Percentages" on NFL Live.
• Jeff Howe reports James Ihedigbo is still recovering from his shoulder injury, is less than 100%, and would love to re-sign with the Patriots.
• Christopher Price breaks down the contract status of the Patriots' rookies.
• Mike Reiss comments on one of the big trends in the NFL, which has been sparked by the Patriots. It's the "Big Nickel".
• A CBS Boston staff report tells us how Bill Belichcik's creative offensive system is changing the NFL.
• John Beattie posts the transcript of his online chat with Kevin Faulk.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) Three reasons Patriots shouldn't break the bank for Wes Welker.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Matt Light will be perfectly content in retirement.
• James Walker (ESPN) Is Aaron Hernandez third-best tight end?
• Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Breakout players 2012. Nate Solder makes his list.
• James Walker (ESPN) Ranking AFC East defenses. Patriots last.
• Eric Edholm (Pro Football Weekly) AFC East players in the crosshairs.
• Adam Rank (NFL.com) Gridiron breakdown: Patriots vs. Spurs.
• Pat Kirwan (CBS Sports) Got a (Big) Nickel? You'll need one to combat hybrid offenses this fall.
• John Clayton (ESPN) Trade deadline under review; Other bylaws also up for discussion at next owners meeting.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Tabled rules changes on the docket for owners meetings.
• Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) Mandatory padding? A tough sell for skill players.
• Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) NFL meetings: Required hip, leg pads part of bigger safety push.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFLPA plans to fight looming leg pads rule.
• Mike Freeman (CBS Sports) Some 'Bountygate' Saints still fighting mad: Railroaded by NFL?
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Foxworth, Kessler make case to players, agents on CBA gains.