Mike Reiss shares what's on his radar as the Patriots begin the last series of practices before the start of Training Camp.

Belichick's explanations. For the first time since the NFL draft, Belichick will hold a news conference with reporters and there is a lot of ground to cover. For example, this will be the first chance to hear Belichick's explanations for his coaching staff shakeup and additions, why the team cut receivers Anthony Gonzalez and Chad Ochocinco, if he expects Waters on the club, and what it means to have Gronkowski locked up through 2019, among other topics.

How's it coming together in the secondary? Over the last three weeks, a variety of combinations have been used in the defensive backfield. Devin McCourty, who played safety in sub packages late last season and in the playoffs, has been exclusively at cornerback, while second-year cornerback Ras-I Dowling is back in the mix after playing just two games (both starts) last season because of a season-ending hip injury. The club looks like it has a lot more depth at cornerback and each practice gives the coaching staff a chance to assess the best fits. Ditto at safety, where Patrick Chung remains the constant, with free-agent signee Steve Gregory, rookie Tavon Wilson and veteran Will Allen showing up at different times in recent weeks.

Rookies and their retention. At this point, rookies have been with the club for six weeks and have had a lot thrown at them. This is the culmination, all the individual parts coming together over the three-day camp. How will they respond? This could be a good gauge to see how first-round draft choices Chandler Jones and Dont'a Hightower, and their fellow rookies, are handling the jump from college to the NFL from a retention standpoint. The youngsters haven't looked out of place to this point.

Jeff Howe gives us five things to watch at Patriots minicamp and notes three practices will be open to the media.

1. Consistency Is Key: The chance to watch three consecutive practices is valuable in understanding how the Patriots view certain players. While it stuck out that players such as running back Shane Vereen and cornerback Devin McCourty got a lot of reps at their positions during organized team activities, only three of the Patriots’ 10 OTAs were open to the media. Therefore, certain players could have been used in completely different roles during the private sessions. Minicamp will offer a glimpse at how the coaches believe the players have progressed during the nine weeks of offseason workouts.

2. Offensive Rhythm: Tom Brady got into a nice groove Thursday with Wes Welker, Deion Branch and Julian Edelman, and Brady also has worked closely with Brandon Lloyd during OTAs. It’s obvious how much Brady trusts Welker and Branch, but the quarterback hasn’t been able to find that type of rhythm with a third wide receiver in years. That’s why the Patriots signed Lloyd and two of Brady’s other recent favorites in Jabar Gaffney [stats] and Donte Stallworth. It’s time to see how much they can stick out during minicamp.

4. Special Teams Standouts: The depth charts are crowded at wide receiver and cornerback. While the players are carving out a hierarchy at each position, the wild card comes on special teams. That’s why Matthew Slater has been on the roster since 2008, and Edelman has been one of the NFL’s better punt returners when healthy. It’s also how Kyle Arrington stuck around before becoming a starting cornerback. The Patriots have given Stallworth a chance as a kick returner, and cornerbacks like Sterling Moore, Alfonzo Dennard and Will Allen will need to display value on special teams to make the squad. That’s why it’s worthwhile to see how many opportunities certain players earn when they’re working through a crowded depth chart.

TEAM TALK

• Andy Hart gives us his minicamp watch list.
• The New England Patriots signed veteran WR Jesse Holley, first-year OL Mike Ingersoll and rookie free agent TE Tyler Urban Monday.
• Andy Hart offers his stock analysis of each player within each position, starting at Quarterback.
• Patriots Today - A taste of the Patriots' operation. (3.32 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Zolioke hits the right notes. (3.19 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Rodak lists the full 89-player roster heading into minicamp today.
• Jeff Howe notes that Jerod Mayo's leadership has become one of the Patriots' most valued assets. At 26, he's one of the oldest players on defense.
• Christopher Price notes Dan Connolly got paid like a starter but he's still not locked in on one position.
• Shalise Manza Young reports Sterling Moore is happy to have his first full offseason, and is still learning multiple positions in the backfield.
• Tom E. Curran calls Kevin Faulk the most successful third-down back in history,
• Christopher Price checks in with the five Patriots' UFAs who are still on the open market.
• Mike Reiss explains why Jeremy Ebert's case is different than Taylor Price's.
• Christopher Price posts a quick primer on the incredible story of new Patriots' receiver Jesse Holley. (8.11 min. video)
• Christopher Price takes a closer look at some of the Patriots biggest rivals to size up the competition: The Houston Texans.
• Greg A. Bedard charts the official Gronkowski salary and cap numbers from his new contract.
• Greg A. Bedard Patriots Notebook: Sebastian Vollmer had a "small procedure" to help get his back right and is expected to be ready for Training Camp in late July; Vollmer is entering the final season of his rookie deal; The final numbers are in on the contract extension signed by TE Rob Gronkowski; Mandatory minicamp will run today through Thursday.
• John Beattie posts a video clip of Wes Welker doing the "Dougie" at his youth football camp. He has a bit more finesse as a dancer than Gronk.
• Jeff Howe answers a few questions from readers.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Procedure on ailing back affecting Patriots' Sebastian Vollmer.
• NFL Total Access (NFL.com) Willie McGinest's top 5 QB-WR combos. (1.25 min. video)
• John Clayton (ESPN) New CBA causing fits for coaches.
• Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) NFL rankings: Aaron Rodgers rules at QB. Brady third (behind Brees.)
• Ryan Van Bibber (SB Nation) NFL dynasties: Which teams will enter the elite?
• Omar Kelly (Sun-Sentinel) Chad Ochocinco signs with Miami Dolphins.
• Chris Burke (SI) Who knows what Dolphins are getting in Chad Ochocinco?
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Mike Carey says game "unquestionably" will be different with replacement officials.
• Kerry J. Byrne (Cold Hard Football Facts) 40 and fabulous: In praise of passer rating.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL still needs stiffer DUI penalties.