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Jenni Carlson (The Oklahoman) Don't count Wes Welker out.
"Obviously, this isn’t something you can really just fight through," he said. "You’ve got to go in stages. You’ve got to make sure you’re doing everything possible to heal the right way and make sure you’re ready to go."
He works every day with his knee to increase his flexibility and improve his extension. Only three months after the surgery, he is already jogging again. "I’m happy about where we are," he said. "Hopefully, we can just continue to have positive days and keep moving forward."
Welker isn’t ready to target a date for his return. "It’s so early right now, it’s hard to put any sort of timetable on it," he said. "My main deal is just working hard and putting myself in the best position possible to be ready whenever I’m ready. No telling when that’s going to be or how long it’s going to take, but all I can do is just work hard."
"Every day," Welker said, "is looking a little bit brighter."
Tom E. Curran says Brady can, because of his standing and resume, walk in and pull rank.
Even if he's a part-time participant, he can demand higher performances from a guy who's been there every day without that rankling that player because he's got the notches on his belt that announce, "I've done everything you are attempting to do."
It would be one thing if Brady were in Cabo or Milledgeville and not pushing his son on a swing in a California playground.
But he isn't. The team-time he's sacrificing now is something he's earned. It would be better for the New England Patriots if he were at Gillette. But it's better for Brady to be near his kids as much as he wants in the offseason. It is, very much, what it is.
TEAM TALK
- Andy Hart offers his top-to-bottom list of the Patriots draft picks and how they might contribute in Year 1.
- Andy Hart notes signal caller and defensive captain Jerod Mayo could be one of a number of players inspired to take on a larger, more vocal leadership role for the Patriots in 2010.
- Scott Barboza reports Patriots RB Sammy Morris stopped by the Air National Guard's 104th Fighter Wing in Westfield, MA, to thank them for all they do for us.
- Patriots Today - Morris and the military (1.46 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Tedy Bruschi asserts it doesn't matter where Tom Brady spends his off-season, his work ethic should never be in doubt. (55 second video).
- Shalise Manza Young reports Tom Brady was trying to make a point in his SI interview with Peter King. Twice he mentioned that he and his teammates must be receptive to coaching.
- Karen Guregian notes recently signed free agent RB Chris Taylor may add depth to the position, but he's a long-shot to earn a roster spot.
- Albert Breer gives Maroney credit, with some metrics from Pro Football Focus, that show Maroney to be a very decisive runner.
- Jeff Howe reports Rob Gronkowski's Draft-day emotions will translate well to the football field.
- Albert Breer shows what the Patriots' deal with Dallas looked like from Radio City Music Hall.
- Mike Reiss talks about the one-year pact signed by WR Buddy Farnham.
- Kirk Minihane wonders why can't politicians leave the sports to us.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Woody Paige (Denver Post) Josh McDaniels says Tim Tebow has the "IT" factor, like a certain Patriots QB.
- NY Post Rex Ryan says Brady's super 'smart' [for praising the Jets and saying the AFC East won't be a walkover for New England this season.]
- NFL Total Access has the latest on Tom Brady, JaMarcus Russell, Robert Meachem and more. (1.50 min. video)
- Kerry J. Byrne (Cold Hard Football Facts) JaMarcus vs. history's No. 1 QBs.
- Chase Stuart (NY Times) In NFL, it's better to be smart than young.
- Paul Kuharsky (ESPN) On Cushing, we're asking the wrong question.
- Michael S. Schmidt (NY Times) Drug use may cost Cushing NFL rookie award.
- Vic Carucci (NFL.com) Gailey believes Bills can pull off Dolphins-type turnaround.