Field Yates reports the process of negotiating the new deal has been an emotional one for Hernandez.

"As soon as we started talking about contracts, I was emotional from that day on," he continued. "Honestly, it's hard for me here [at the gala] to stay, keeping my mind off it, and it's just, like I said, it's surreal. Probably when I'm done with this conversation I'll get some tears in my eyes. But it's real, and it's an honor."

"I called [my family] and told them obviously what the contract was, and the basics about about it," he said. "They were all crying. I was crying right with them. This is probably one of the best days of my life. I'll remember this day forever. I just hope I keep going, doing the right things, making the right decisions so I can have a good life, and be there to live a good life with my family."

"I couldn't be with a better franchise," Hernandez stated. "I know Tom's [Brady] going to be around for a while. I love the coaches, I'm close to my family. The whole organization is actually an organization. A lot of places are called organizations, but are they really organized."

"This is a place that not only did it change my future from them paying me, but it just changed me as a person," he said. "You can't come here and act reckless and do your own stuff, and [I] was one of the persons that I came here, I might've acted the way I wanted to act, but you get changed by Bill Belichick's way. You get changed by the Patriots' way. Now that I'm a Patriot, I have to start living like one, and making the right decisions for them."

TEAM TALK

• Game Preview: New England Patriots at New York Giants. Broadcast info, series history (ugh), team connections and more.
• Erik Scalavino writes Aaron Hernandez is humbled by his contract extension and grateful to the Krafts and Belichick for changing his life.
• Erik Scalavino reports the Boston TE Party will rage on for several more years, plus more news and notes from Monday at Gillette.
• The New England Patriots made a series of roster moves Monday to reach the NFL roster limit of 75 players.
• New England Patriots report Zoltan Mesko receives the 2012 Ron Burton Community Service award.
• Monday Press Conference: Bill Belichick.

LOCAL LINKS

• Field Yates resets the Patriots roster as it stands at 75 players.
• Ron Borges writes about the cuts to Stallworth and Gaffney through the eyes of Deion Branch.
• Jeff Howe reports Aaron Hernandez hit the jackpot and the TE calls it a blessing.
• Field Yates passes along some thoughts on the Aaron Hernandez deal and what it means for the franchise.
• Mike Rodak notes Robert Kraft was sincerely touched by Aaron Hernandez's $50K donation to the Myra Kraft Giving Back Fund.
• Field Yates details Aaron Hernandez's contract extension, broken down by season.
• Greg A. Bedard can't help taking a dig at the Patriots organization for how they've done business in the past.
• Julian Benbow reports Bill Belichick is happy with the Hernandez deal.
• Mike Reiss compares Hernandez's deal with Gronkowski's.
• Tom E. Curran says that classifying the $40 million the Patriots agreed to pay Aaron Hernandez as dipping into "Wes' money" is ignoring the reality of the two players' situations.
• Field Yates tells us Wes Welker's reaction to the Hernandez deal. "It's good for him. I'm definitely happy for him. He's a great player and done a lot of great things for us. Good to have him here."
• Mark Daniels notes Wes Welker is happy for Hernandez.
• Julian Benbow reports Wes Welker missed Friday's preseason game against the Buccaneers due to a "personal issue." He returned to practice Monday and expects to be on the field for Week 1.
• Mike Reiss (ESPN) What TE deals mean for Welker. (1 min. video)
• Mike Rodak tells us how Brandon Bolden could benefit from Larsen release.
• Mike Reiss examines the Pats' decision on Ross Ventrone.
• Greg A. Bedard takes another shot at the 53-man roster: Woodhead, Cunningham, Thomas, Edelman, Shiancoe, White, Tarpinian and Dennard are on the bubble.
• Christopher Price forecasts the final 53, following Monday's cuts.
• Mike Rodak offers some quick-hit soundbites from Bill Belichick's news conference Monday.
• Field Yates highlights Tom Brady talking sacks on WEEI Monday morning.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Aaron Hernandez says Belichick and "the Patriot way" changed him.
• Staff Report (Pro Football Weekly) Analysis: Hernandez, Patriots agree to long-term extension.
• Doug Farrar (Yahoo! Sports) Aaron Hernandez on Robert Kraft: 'He changed my life.'
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Tom Brady: I deserve as much blame as the offensive line for sacks.
• Brian McIntyre (NFL.com) Tom Brady: Sacks aren't all on Patriots' offensive line.
• Analysts Debate (NFL.com) Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning heads most anticipated games.
• Dan Hanzus (NFL.com) Tom Brady has Aaron Rodgers beat in prank dept.
• James Walker (ESPN) AFC East preseason stock watch.
• Staff Report (Fox News) New England Patriots 2012 Season Preview.
• Kerry J. Byrne (Cold Hard Football Facts) Michael Holley is right: Boston is a football town.
• Michael Lombardi (NFL.com) Eli Manning, Rob Gronkowski among blue/red chips on offense.
• Staff Report (Sporting News) AFC reports: Team-by-team training camp insider updates.
• Peter Schrager (Fox Sports) Ten takeaways after Week 3 of the NFL preseason.
• Peter Schrager (Fox Sports) NFL's most overrated players in 2012.
• Ben Austro (Nat'l Football Post) Explaining the issues behind the NFL Officials strike. Money is only part of the problem.
• Sam Borden (NY Times) With referees out, NFL players throw flag on novice fill-ins.