Everyone’s excited about Wes Welker signing his franchise tender, which is the focus of a lot of today’s stories.   Here’s a few of the ones out there worth checking out:

BOSTON HERALD

Pats WR Julian Edelman on Wes Welker signing tender: “It says he’s a great teammate.” – Karen Guregian
Guregian has reaction from Welker’s teammates after the veteran signed his franchise tender yesterday.

Tom House Pitches analysis of Tom Brady – Karen Guregian
Guregian writes that after the passing of Brady’s former mechanics coach Tom Martinez back in February, Brady now has  turned to Tom House to make sure his throwing motion remains consistent.

He’s now in a better place – Mark Daniels
Daniels has a good piece on Donte Stallworth, who says he’s much more mature now then he was the last time he played in New England.

BOSTON GLOBE

Wes Welker’s long-term future is next question - Shalise Manza Young
Manza Young ponders the future of Welker now that he’s signed his tender, and wonders if a long term deal is coming.

ESPN BOSTON

Welker Simplifies his route – Mike Reiss
Reiss takes a look at Welker’s decision to sign his tender and writes that while he could have played hardball, that’s just not the way he works.

NESN

Chandler Jones Ready to Take on Patriots’ ‘Heavy’ Playbook and 19 Other NFL Thoughts – Jeff Howe
Howe has his weekly piece that’s always an interesting read, and this one has some good stuff as well.

Wes Welker Shows He’s One of the Greatest Team-First Players in Patriots History By Signing Franchise Tender – Jeff Howe
Howe looks at Welker signing his tender and has a good take on the veteran’s decision.

PROVIDENCE JOURNAL

With Welker Back, Pats look loaded at wide receiver – Paul Kenyon
With Welker back in the fold, Kenyon looks at the group that will be competing for a roster spot in the coming months.

PATRIOT LEDGER

Dennard Arraignment May 30 – Glen Farley
According to Farley Patriots 7th round pick Alfonzo Dennard will reportedly be arraigned May 30th on a charge of third-degree felony assault of a police officer.

ENTERPRISE NEWS

Stallworth now realizes return to Patriots isn’t just a dream – Glen Farley
Farley has a good piece on Donte’ Stallworth, who called his return to New England “surreal”.

Stallworth’s noticed a change in McDaniels – Glen Farley
Farley has a couple of quick comments from Stallworth on how McDaniels has changed since he was last  in New England.

Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker reportedly signed his $9.5 million franchise tag on Tuesay, which should end any speculation of a potential holdout. (Photo: US Presswire)

The veteran reportedly signed his franchise tag tender on Tuesday, which now gives him a one-year fully guaranteed contract for the 2012 season as well as leaving the door open for the two sides to also potentially work out a long-term deal.

By league rule the Patriots and Welker have until July 15th to work out an extension, and it will be interesting to see if this sudden change by Welker – who had previously seemed reluctant to even come into camp prior to the start of the regular season without a new contract – is a positive sign that the talks are moving in the right direction.

Welker announced the signing on Twitter, saying “I signed my tender today.  I love the game and I love my teammates!  Hopefully doing the right thing gets the right results. #leapoffaith”

The signing also shuts down the potential media circus that could have taken place next week as the team prepares to come together for OTA’s, and will allow the players to focus on the task at hand - which is trying to get back to work and prepare for another season.

“I think we’re all on the same page and we’re all trying to collectively come together and make something happen,” Welker said during his interview with WEEI yesterday.  Hopefully we’ll see him locked up for a few more seasons in the coming months.

Here are this morning’s top stories:

BOSTON HERALD:

Wes Welker to Play – Karen Guregian
Guregian highlights an interview yesterday by Wes Welker with WEEI where the receiver told the radio station, “there are 9.5 millions why I wouldn’t miss any regular season games.”  Guregian also looks at his contract situation, and notes that that statement hurts his leverage in the ongoing negotiations.

Welker on minicamp: ‘I’d really like to be there’ – Matt Pepin
Pepin has an article on Welker, who after saying last month that he might skip the team’s minicamp this month, Welker said on Monday that there’s still a chance he’ll attend.

ESPN BOSTON

Some Freaky Additions for Patriots – Field Yates
Yates highlights a piece from CBSSports.com’s Bruce Feldman, who publishes his annual college football “Freak list” and it previously included Dont’a Hightower, Nate Solder, and Ryan Mallet.

Spikes eyed as breakout performer - Mike Reiss
Reiss takes a look at Brandon Spikes after FoxSports.com’s Alex Marvez picked him as the one player who could be primed for a breakout season.

Can Brady really play until 45? – Field Yates
Yates has an article on Tom Brady after Welker declared on Monday that he has no doubt he could see the veteran QB playing another 10 years.  Yates notes that should Brady play until he’s 45, that would make him the oldest starting QB in NFL history surpassing three big names who started at age 44.

Welker: Feels like ’07 with receivers – Mike Reiss
Reiss has an article on the fact that the Patriots have one of the deepest wide receiver groups in football, and Welker thinks it’s great.

NESN

Sources: Wes Welker, Patriots Still Not Close on Contract Extension, July 15 Is Key Deadline for Negotiations – Jeff Howe
Howe has an entry on the Welker negotiations, which at this point don’t have the veteran receiver close to a new deal.

Rob Gronkowski, Rob Ninkovich to Co-Host Joe Andruzzi and Friends Golf Tournament – Ricky Doyle
For those interested, Gronk and Ninkovich will be co-hosting the event with Joe Andruzzi at Granite Links in Quincy on June 18.  There’s more information in this entry.

WEEI

Markell Carter Welcomes the Idea of Joining Patriots’ Rookies to Get Extra Work – Christopher Price
Price has a good article on Markell Carter, and writes that last year’s practice squad player was more than happy to be out working with the rookies this past weekend.

CSNNE.COM

Pats Leverage on Welker is his love for game – Tom E. Curran
Curran has a great article on Welker and feels that in the end the fact the receiver is “addicted to football” will be the reason why he’s out on the field next season.

Welker excited for Patriots’ receiver competition – Phil Perry
Perry looks at New England’s deep receiving core, and has comments from Welker during yesterday’s interview where he said he’s looking forward to seeing the competition at the wide receiver spot in the coming months at Training Camp.

Welker: Brady’s football passion ‘like a sickness’ – Tom E. Curran
Curran has an entry with quotes from Welker, who said that, “it’s almost like an illness he has” when referring to Tom Brady’s love of the game.

ENTERPRISE NEWS

Pats Welker on upcoming season: I’ll be there – Glen Farley
Farley also highlights yesterday’s Welker interview where the receiver said while he was unsure of whether or not he’ll attend any of the camps, when the regular season arrives, he’ll be there.

WORCESTER TELEGRAM:

Patriots rookie has a catchy number – Rich Garven
Garven takes a look at Jeremy Ebert, who will be wearing #80 this season which for any fans who have followed the team for a while know was most recently Troy Brown’s old number.

A quiet morning news wise, but after doing some digging here are a few of this morning’s top stories:

ESPN BOSTON

Can Patriots rookies make impact? – Mike Reiss
With minicamp now in the books, Mike Reiss ponders whether or not we could see some of them make an impact this season.

Brady Checks in with MMQB – Mike Reiss
Reiss highlights some comments from Tom Brady in Peter King of SI.com’s Monday Morning Quarterback.

Spikes vs Hightower on NFL Radar – Mike Reiss
Reiss highlights a piece written by ESPN’s John Clayton, which highlights what should be an interesting battle between Brandon Spikes and Dont’a Hightower this preseason.

CSNNE.COM

Brady: I’ll keep working to be a lifelong Patriot - Staff Report
CSNNE.com has an entry highlighting an interview with SI’s Peter King, where Tom Brady tells him he wants to play his entire career in New England, but thinks he’ll have to keep earning the job year after year.

BOSTON GLOBE

With Patriots, Undrafted Doesn’t Mean Unwanted – Greg Bedard
Bedard writes that when it comes to undrafted NFL free agents, it’s a bit like the Island of Misfit Toys and the Patriots are the kingdom for them.

Rookie Justin Francis has connections with Patriots – Shalise Manza Young
Manza Young writes that when Justin Francis, one of the Patriots’ seven undrafted rookies, signed with the team, he immediately had a built-in support system.

WORCESTER TELEGRAM

Brandon Bolden follows Patriots’ BenJarvus Green-Ellis – Jennifer Toland
Toland has an article this morning on former Ole’ Miss runningback Brandon Bolden, who is trying to achieve the same success that former Ole Miss runningback BenJarvus Green-Ellis had here in New England.

METROWEST DAILY NEWS

PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK: The numbers add up for McDaniels and Lloyd‎ – Glen Farley
Farley looks at the success Brandon Lloyd has had under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, highlighting how much better his numbers were playing in his system.

Back to business for Patriots draft pick Ebert – Glen Farley
Farley has a good article this morning on Jeremy Ebert, who now returns to life as a business student at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management following this weekend’s rookie minicamp.

LEDGER ENQUIRER

Ex-UK QB Mike Hartline with Patriots, Learning From Brady – Staff Report
The publication out of Georgia has a brief mention on Mike Hartline, who is trying to learn from Tom Brady here in New England.

UNION LEADER

PSU Senior Read to Join Patriots Cheerleader Squad – April Guilmet
Guilmet has a good article this morning on Allison Smedley, with a great story on how the former Londonderry High School senior helped a fellow classmate who was being bullied.  Now she’ll be living her life’s dream: cheering with the New England Patriots’ cheerleading squad.

After taking a look through the photo archive this morning, here are a few shots from Friday’s first minicamp session:

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on as the rookies go through their drills.

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Rookies Jake Bequette (left), Chandler Jones (center), and Eric Kettani (right) during Friday’s minicamp.

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Rookie Chandler Jones hitting the sled on Friday.

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Chandler Jones (left) and Dont’a Hightower (right) share a few laughs during Friday’s practice session.

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Rookie Dont’a Hightower hitting the sled during his first practice in New England.

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Rookie Tavon Wilson working out during New England’s first day of rookie minicamp.

After a quick look online, here are some articles worth checking out this morning:

BOSTON.COM

Matt Patricia says job title don’t matter – Shalise Manza Young
In this article Patricia says that the title given to him by the team this week won’t have any effect on his approach to his job.

Old job waiting for McDaniels – Christopher Gasper
Gasper has a good column on the return of Josh McDaniels to New England.

BOSTON HERALD:

McDaniels excited by depth on offense – Karen Guregian
Guregian has an article on McDaniels, and all of the options that he has at his disposal in his second tour with the team.

Fitting right in with Pats – Mark Daniels
Daniels has a good column on Dont’a Hightower, who is fitting right in with his new team.

NOTEBOOK: Patricia: It’s True Blessing – Mark Daniels
Patricia told Daniels yesterday that he’s “blessed” to be where he is after starting at a small school to becoming a defensive coordinator here in New England.

ESPN BOSTON:

Analysis – Roster Heavy on Front Seven – Mike Rodak
Rodak notes that the Patriots currently have 27 defensive front seven players on their roster, which as of Friday was the most of any NFL team.

Prodigal Son Josh McDaniels Returns – Mike Reiss
Reiss has a look at the return of Josh McDaniels to New England.

Wilson Considers Himself a Student of the Game – Field Yates
Yates has a good article this morning on Tavon Wilson, who is looking to prove his critics wrong.

SnapShots – Day 1 Of Minicamp – ESPNBoston.com
Here are some photos from yesterday’s first day of minicamp in Foxboro.

WEEI.COM

Runningback Brandon Bolden Ready to try and Make His Mark – Christopher Price
Price has a good article this morning on Bolden, who is looking to try and earn a spot with the team just like New England’s previous Ole Miss back, BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

NESN

Patriots Youngsters Give Up Spotlight During Transition Into Rookie Camp – Jeff Howe
Howe has a good article on Day one of minicamp, with comments from several rookies.

Dont’a Hightower Recognizing Terms in Patriots’ Playbook Due to Experience at Alabama - Jeff Howe
Hightower notes the similarities with New England’s terminology and what he dealt with in college in this entry.

PATRIOTS.COM

Wilson Soaking It All In – Erik Scalavino
Scalavino writes, “Fairly or unfairly, Tavon Wilson will be saddled with expectations in the NFL,” and has comments from the rookie.

CSNNE.COM

Rookie Bequette Eager to Prove Himself - Mary Paoletti
Paoletti has a good article on Jake Bequette,  who is looking forward to getting acclimated with his new football team.

METROWEST DAILY NEWS

It’s back to school (sort of) for Patriots Rookies – Glen Farley
Farley writes that the atmosphere was like the first day of school at Gillette Stadium on Friday.

Ebert Guilty of Rookie Mistake – Glen Farley
Farely writes that Ebert mistakenly referred to Troy Brown as “Tim Brown” yesterday.

NASHUA TELEGRAM:

Bequette out to prove he belongs – Tom King
King has an article on the Pats’ rookie, and ponders whether or not reporters will get him confused by mistakenly calling him “Josh” due  to the similarities in the pronunciation of his last name.

Dont’a Hightower and the rest of the Patriots rookies will get to work for the first time this weekend. (US Presswire)

There’s been plenty of excitement since draft weekend, but starting today fans will finally get an opportunity to hear about how the newest Patriots rookies start to fit in here in New England.

Rookie minicamp is set to open today, which should finally shed some light as to some of the strengths each player has and we’ll get to learn a little more about them since media members will finally have a little more access to them. Access is still somewhat limited, with the media only able to view a little over 30-minutes of each session, but either way it’s still going to be nice to finally be able to begin to get a feel for where some of the new guys may fit in.

In the meantime here are a few thoughts on five players who should be pretty interesting to hear about over the coming days:

Chandler Jones – There has been a lot written about New England’s first selection, and Jones’ long arms and big frame are going to be interesting to hear about during these first few practices.  It’s also going to be curious to hear about where they end up lining him up, and what roles that they begin working him in.

Dont’a Hightower – The same can be said about Hightower, who with his versatility is definitely an intriguing player.  He’s a guy who most analysts expect to have an immediate impact this season, and it’s going to be interesting to hear about how and where they begin working him in.

Tavon Wilson – The surprise of the Wilson selection is going to have the rookie under the microscope this weekend.  The expectations are high because of Bill Belichick’s comments after he was selected, and how he performs is likely going to be one of the biggest stories of this minicamp.

Nate Ebner – Ebner is definitely another interesting character, and he’s made it clear he loves the game and just flat out loves hitting people.  He won’t get to do that this weekend during what is generally more of an instructional few days for the rookies, but how he looks on the defensive side of the ball is also going to be something to keep an eye on.

Alfonzo Dennard – From most reports Dennard seems to be a guy whose risk was worth the reward despite his legal issues.  The seventh-round pick out of Nebraska was arrested just before the draft, which Bill Belichick acknowledged afterwards clearly affected where he was selected.  Most of the chatter after the fact talked about what a great talent he was and how this was a fantastic move by the Patriots. Needless to say this will be the first glimpse of whether or not he lives up to those expectations.

Here are this morning’s top stories:

What to Expect From Rookie Minicamp – Field Yates
Yates has a preview of what to expect with the start of minicamp set to begin today.

Patriots Sign 7 Undrafted free agents – Field Yates
Yates has a report on 7 undrafted free agents who were announced by the team yesterday.

Brady’s big connection off the field – Field Yates
Yates looks at Brady’s contribution of promoting an organ donor website, and how it’s helped the lives of quite a few people thanks to his efforts.

What deals Jones, Hightower can expect – Field Yates
Yates looks at what New England’s two first round draft picks can expect in terms of their rookie contracts.

Snapshot look at coaching staff – Mike Rodak
Rodak takes an overall look at the coaching staff following yesterday’s news that Matt Patricia will officially be New England’s defensive coordinator.

Analysis: Coaching staff changes – Mike Rodak
Rodak breaks down the coaching staff changes, including Patricia’s role along with the rise of Brian Flores.

Patricia named DC; Steve Belichick hired – Mike Reiss
Reiss has an article on Patricia officially being named as defensive coordinator, along with the fact another Belichick is joining the coaching staff.

Versatile Gallery happy to join winner – Field Yates
Yates has a good article on Robert Gallery, who is looking forward to being part of a winning organization.

ESPN

Two-Tight End Set is Latest Copy-Cat Trend – John Clayton
Clayton has an interesting look at the Patriots duo of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez and the effect they’ve had on the rest of the league.

BOSTON HERALD

NOTEBOOK: Team coordinates Matt Patricia Title – Karen Guregian
Guregian files her notebook this morning, which leads off with the Patricia announcement among other topics.

Rugby Star Nate Ebner Will Turn Heads – Karen Guregian
With rookie minicamps set to begin, Guregian expects Ebner to grab some attention.

Rookies under the microscope – Karen Guregian
Guregian takes an in-depth look at each of the rookies as we get set for the start of minicamp.

Big Gallery Set to Open - Tom Layman
Layman looks at Robert Gallery, who is looking forward to getting to work.

WEEI

Arkanas Coach: Versatility and Maturity Make Jake Bequette a Unique Find for the Patriots – Christopher Price
Price caught up with Bequette’s former coach, and has some great insight on the Patriots rookie.

A Closer Look at the Patriots Rookies who were signed Thurrsday – Christopher Price
Price has a great look at the seven rookies who were added to the roster on Thursday.

BOSTON GLOBE

Matt Patricia promoted by Patriots – Shalise Manza Young/Greg Bedard
Young and Bedard file their notebook this morning, which leads off with the Patricia promotion and looks at how the rest of the coaching staff shapes up.

NESN

Patriots Mailbag: Stevan Ridley Looks Ready to Carry Load, Kevin Faulk Could Join Coaching Staff - Jeff Howe
Jeff Howe has his mailbag this morning which touches on a variety of interesting topics, along with the fact he feels Stevan Ridley is ready to carry the load for the Patriots.

Patriots.com
From the Hart: Vrabel says Ebner is able – Andy Hart
Hart has comments from former Patriot Mike Vrabel, who had some good things to say about rookie Nate Ebner.

ENTERPRISE NEWS

PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK: Belichick fills out his sideline staff – Glen Farley
Farley also files his notebook on the Pats naming Patricia as his defensive coordinator along with the fact he hired his son as an assistant.

Did a lot of digging this morning, but unfortunately it’s a very quiet morning news-wise.  In the meantime here are each of today’s links that I was able to come up with:

BOSTON GLOBE

For Chandler Jones, athletic success is family business – Shalise Manza Young
Young has a great feature this morning on the three Jones brothers, with all three boys in the family having success in the world of sports.

WEEI

Syracuse Coach Says Best is Yet to Come With Chandler Jones – Christopher Price
Price also has a good article on Jones this morning, and leads off with the fact that if you were a broker, “you might call Chandler Jones” a long term investment for the Patriots.

PATRIOTS.COM

From the Hart: Jones Doused with Praise – Andy Hart
Hart also has an article on Jones, who says he models his style after Julius Peppers and Aldon Smith.

ESPN BOSTON

Kraft a Finalist for Halas Award – Mike Reiss
Reiss writes that Patriots owner Robert Kraft is a finalist for the Halas Award, which is an award presented annually by the Pro Football Writers of America that is given to the person they feel has performed with abandon despite personal challenges off the field.

Saints-Like Approach for Pats at RB? – Field Yates
Yates ponders the Patriots backfield and compares the team’s approach to the same “dilemma” that the New Orleans Saints had last season.

Gronkowski to appear on ‘The Choice’ – Field Yates
Yates notes the announcement that Rob Gronkowski will be among the names participating in Fox’s new dating show ‘The Choice”.

Looking closer at Gaffney deal – Mike Reiss
Reiss has a closer look at the two-year contract signed by Patriots wide receiver Jabar Gaffney.

Closer look at Warren’s contract – Mike Reiss
Reiss also breaks down Gerard Warren’s one-year deal, and gives his analysis on the signing.

Another quiet morning as we inch closer to this weekend’s rookie minicamps, but here are this morning’s top stories.

BOSTON HERALD

Patriots feel for rookies – Karen Guregian
Guregian has a good article this morning leading into this weekend’s start of rookie minicamp, and has comments from Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski on how tough it was to have to come into a completely new environment after being drafted.

NOTEBOOK: Daniel Fells welcomes opportunity at TE – Tom Layman
Laymon has comments this morning from former Denver Bronco tight end Daniel Fells, who isn’t worried about the fact the Patriots had Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez and elected to sign in New England.

BOSTON GLOBE

NOTEBOOK: Daniel Fells glad to focus on football – Julian Benbow
In this article Fells talks about the fact that last year in Denver with Tebow Mania was a “circus” and he’s looking forward to just being able to focus on football here in New England.

ESPN BOSTON

Four to quibble with on projection – Mike Reiss
Reiss talks about a “ridiculously early” 53-man roster projection, and debates four players with colleagues Mike Rodak and Field Yates.

Pats TE a believer in Tebow – Field Yates
Yates has comments from Fells, who is among the believers in Tebow.

MASSLIVE

Wes Welker tops first edition of New England Patriots’ wide receiver power rankings – Nick Underhill
Underhill takes a look at what should be an interesting battle at the wide receiver position.

NESN

Matt Light May Have Outside Chance to Reach Canton and 19 Other Patriots Thoughts – Jeff Howe
Howe ponders whether or not Matt Light will someday make it to the Pro Football Hall of fame, along with 19 other Patriots thoughts.

VOTE: Which of Matt Light’s Pranks n Patriots Personnel was the Best? - NESN Staff
NESN has gathered a list of some of the best pranks played by Light, and now want you to vote for the best one.   It’s a tough call – because there are definitely some good ones.

WEEI

The Second Time Around, it all worked for Daniel Fells and the Patriots – Christopher Price
Price has a great look at how Fells’ experience in Denver helped him get a sense of how they do things in New England, and that’s why he jumped at the opportunity to sign here.

METROWEST DAILY NEWS

Patirot Place Casino Plan is Pulled – Bridget Murphy
For any fans who were hoping to see a resort-style casino come to Foxboro, it appears that isn’t going to happen.

ATTLEBORO SUN CHRONICLE

Patriot Hall Nominees appreciative – Mark Farinella
Farinella  has an article this morning looking at New England’s potential Patriots Hall of Fame inductees, with Troy Brown and Fred Marion both joining former coach Bill Parcells on the ballot.

TAUNTON DAILY GAZETTE

Patriots’ Fells believes Tebow can be an NFL QB – Glen Farley
Farley has a quick entry this morning with a quote from Fells, who says Tebow needs “a little bit of time” but could become an NFL quarterback.