Here’s a quick rundown of this morning’s top stories:<\/p>\n
Belichick has praise for this year’s TE Group –\u00a0<\/strong>As we know, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick puts a lot of importance on the tight end position, which is obvious given how many draft picks this team has used at that spot over the years.<\/p>\n With Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett as the clear leaders of this group heading into 2016, Belichick\u00a0has also been impressed with other players on the roster. \u00a0Clay Harbor started camp on PUP, but AJ Derby, Bear Pascoe, Steven Scheu and Bryce Williams are players who have been taking advantage of their opportunities. \u00a0There’s no question it’s one of the deepest groups that we’ve potentially ever seen, and he seems pleased with what he’s seen so far.<\/p>\n “Bear\u2019s an experienced player,” said Belichick on Wednesday during his media session. \u00a0“The guy has had quite a few snaps in this league, primarily as a run-blocker, short-intermediate type of receiver, but a tough guy that\u2019s got some length, and size and toughness in the running game. I\u2019d say similar to a Mike Williams role. [He\u2019s] different, but that concept.”<\/p>\n “I think Bryce has come in and done a good job. [He\u2019s] got a lot to learn. It\u2019s a big adjustment for him. \u00a0I think all three of the tight ends, including [AJ] Derby, who really had very few snaps last year, but AJ, and [Steven] Scheu and Bryce have all done a good job,” said Belichick. \u00a0“It\u2019s been probably as good of a tight end situation, overall from top to bottom, as we\u2019ve ever had here.”<\/p>\n “The guys are all competitive; they can all do enough things to be competitive. But Bryce [Williams] has done a good job catching the ball well. He\u2019s got good ball skills, has a receiver background, but you can kind of see that watching him play. It shows up out there.”<\/p>\n This is an important final couple of days as the Patriots will start working against the Saints next week beginning on Tuesday. \u00a0Gronkowski and Bennett have already impressed, with the two establishing some pretty good chemistry during the early portion of camp.<\/p>\n However, weeks like the one coming up are a great opportunity for the guys down the depth chart to try and earn a spot on the depth chart behind New England’s top tight ends, and for now\u00a0Belichick admitted that this stretch coming up will be key as they continue getting ready for the season.<\/p>\n “I think this is kind of an important, key time for us in terms of getting through the first few days, and getting the rust off and getting back into some contact-type practices to really start to improve our level of execution,” said Belichick.\u00a0 “Hopefully we can continue to try and do that, get involved in some additional situational football, and by the end of the week be in position to compete against New Orleans when they come in here next week.”<\/p>\n Belichick reminds everyone, it’s not just Brady’s birthday –\u00a0<\/strong>Tom Brady turned 39-years old on Wednesday, but he wasn’t the only one who had a birthday.<\/p>\n Offensive lineman Chris Barker turned 26, and his coach tried to make sure it didn’t go unnoticed.<\/p>\n “Well, first of all, I don\u2019t think we want to miss Chris Barker\u2019s birthday as long as we\u2019re celebrating,” Belichick said when he was asked about Brady’s work ethic contributing to his longevity.<\/p>\n “Yeah, no question, Tom works hard. [He] works very hard at all phases of the game. I think you have to, to play as long as he has.”<\/p>\n That\u00a0hard work\u00a0continued on Wednesday, with the veteran quarterback staying on the field to put in some extra time after practice. \u00a0The early part of it involved an accuracy competition with Jimmy Garoppolo, with the remaining portion including some additional conditioning\u00a0and agility work.<\/p>\n Brady was the last player to leave the field, and his approach remains as steady as ever, despite being suspended for the first four games of this season.<\/p>\n Branch returns\u00a0<\/strong>– Defensive tackle Alan Branch returned to action on Wednesday, marking the official end of his tenure on the NFI list to start camp.<\/p>\n The veteran had reportedly been battling a hip issue but even during his return he appeared a little limited. \u00a0Branch didn’t take part in many drills as the team is likely taking a cautious approach in easing him back into the line-up.<\/p>\n But despite being limited, Branch was just glad to be back out there.<\/p>\n