Ian Rapoport notes Patrick Chung was at the stadium Tuesday when the doors officially opened at 10 a.m.
"Let’s get ready to go, man," Chung said. "I’m happy to be back. I miss the fans, I miss you guys, even though you guys give us a hard time sometimes. But I’m glad to be back, man. Glad to be back, all my family guys are here."
"Everybody was happy [to be back]," Chung said. "I feel like I haven’t seen my brothers in a while. It’s hard to not be able to communicate with the guys you’re playing with, the guys that are taking care of their body, teaching you the playbook. It’s hard not to have that communication and now it’s back, it’s like we never missed a beat."
"I wasn’t away from the game," he said. "I was definitely working, we were definitely working, a bunch of guys were working out, but I’ve been away from my teammates, I’ve never been in a lockout now. It’s over now and we’re ready to go."
Ian Rapoport notes Wes Welker never felt like he left football.
"A few weeks ago, I flew out to LA to work with Tom (Brady) and it was nice to get out there," Patriots WR Wes Welker said while meeting with media members a few minutes ago. "Throw the ball around, kinda get back in the groove a little bit. It kinda gets you excited about the year and wants you to get out there. But it’s definitely one of those deals where, you knew it was going to happen, but you really didn’t know… you’re happy it’s here and are really looking forward to it."
"It’s great to have it back," Welker said. "At this time of year, money starts running low and everything like that, so it’s nice to start getting paychecks again. We’re excited. It’s good to have football back. I know everybody is excited. The fans are excited, and the players are just as excited. We’re ready to get out there and play. We haven’t had OTAs or anything like that, but there shouldn’t be any excuses about guys not being fresh and ready to go. We should be out there having a good camp and some good games coming up in September."
Mike Reiss reports Frank Bauer had this to say on Logan Mankins accepting the Patriots' franchise tag:
"Early this morning, Logan spoke with Bill [Belichick] and both are very happy, happy to get started. Logan is looking forward to being with his teammates and coaches, with a fresh start."
TEAM TALK
- Patriots Training Camp schedule announced.
- Paul Perillo describes the scene at Gillette Stadium as the players returned to undergo physicals, fill out papework and get ready for tomorrow.
- Erik Scalavino bids bye-bye to Banta-Cain.
- Ask PFW: Football is back!
- Patriots Today - Back to business (3.13 min. video)
- Patriots Today - They're Back! (2.25 min. video)
- Patrick Chung talks with the New England media about getting back to football. (4.11 min. audio)
- Wes Welker speaks with the media about returning to football. (5 min. audio)
- PFW in Progress - 7/26/11: The PFW crew discusses the agreement of the new CBA, players reporting to Gillette and potential roster moves. (2 hour program)
LOCAL LINKS
- Christopher Price reports it was back to the business of football as the Patriots returned to Gillette Stadium for the first time since the NFL lockout ended.
- Ian Rapoport details the Patriots players first day 'back to school' and the festive atmosphere in the locker room.
- Monique Walker reports the players, happy to be back, will be completing conditioning tests today and meeting with coaches in preparation for the start of camp.
- Karen Guregian gives us five questions worth following, heading into this year's camp.
- Mike Rodak sees Mankins' decision to sign his tender as more 'pragmatic' than 'mended fences'.
- Tom E. Curran thinks right now is the best time for the Patriots to take care of Logan Mankins and sign him up long-term.
- Christopher Price explores whether the relationship between Logan Mankins and the Patriots is finally thawing.
- Amalie Benjamin reports Devin McCourty won't set any limits on himself, and he's prepared to make that important jump as a second-year player.
- Greg A. Bedard notes Patriots fans jumped in right where they left off before the lockout, raising concerns about the pass rush.
- Mike Reiss looks at the depth chart and wonders where will the pass rush come from.
- Ian Rapoport gives us a rundown of the Patriots' current pass-rushers.
- CSNNE provides a quick summary of each of the ten undrafted free agents that will take part in this year's Patriots Training Camp.
- Dan Shaughnessy writes a touching piece on Robert Kraft, and what this last week must have been like for him.
- WEEI highlights Tedy Bruschi's appearance on The Big Show Tuesday.
- CSNNE posts the Patriots' full preseason schedule with kickoff times and where to watch.
- Ian Rapoport Patriots Notebook: Tully Banta-Cain was released following his surgery and he leaves grateful for the opportunity he had in NE; Ron Brace is determined to start this season right by passing his conditioning test; CB Tony Carter was released but appreciated the call from Belichick.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Kevin Fishbain (Pro Football Weekly) Mankins puts Patriots at ease with quick decision.
- Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) Players are eager to play ball again.
- Don Banks (SI) Ten storylines that will dominate fast-paced, post-lockout world.
- Greg Gabriel (Nat'l Football Post) Signing rookie free agents isn't just about money.
- Wes Bunting (Nat'l Football Post) Where did the top undrafted free agents land? OT/TE Will Yeatman (Maryland): New England.
- Dennis Dillon (sporting News) Traveling men: Here's where the big-name free agents may land.
- Peter Schrager (Fox Sports) NFL free-agent frenzy: Who are the hottest chicks at the dance?
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) First day ends with less activity than expected.
- Staff (NFL.com) Fans among winners with lockout over and football back.
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Nate Davis (USA Today) Hot reads:Wednesday's NFL player news, moves. Donte Stallworth signs with Redskins