Pats’ Camp: Underway with high expectations

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

John Rooke, GoLocalWorcester Sports MINDSETTER™

Been waiting long?

After an injury-plagued finish to the 2013 season ended with an AFC title game loss in Denver last January, the 2014 Patriots finally return to the sports-consciousness of New England.

Training camp. Running, blocking...yes, even some tackling will now take place over the next few weeks at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. The spring-time "getting to know you" sessions are now in the rearview mirror, and the Patriots have their sights set dead ahead.

Just like everyone else, it seems. And not a moment too soon.

"Its always an exciting time of year to start training camp," head coach Bill Belichick understated Wednesday, just before the team began its traditional conditioning run session. Actual practices will start Thursday morning. "I thought that we've had a real productive spring with a lot of our players and new coaching staff members...and it's kind of put us in a position to start camp and kinda get it going.

"The spring preparation has been a real important part of this whole process," Belichick added, "so now we'll get into the next step and hopefully get off to a good start these next couple of days. "

Every set of eyes - whether they come from the fans or members of the media - should be focused on a couple of key areas as practices get started. One, on the relative health of tight end Rob Gronkowski...who has been medically cleared to play after suffering a torn ACL last season against Cleveland. Gronk won't start the year on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, which is certainly a positive sign. His presence in the Patriots' offense, when healthy, should make New England a real threat in the AFC once again.

Rob Gronkowski

"Rob has always worked hard," Belichick said. "He worked hard as a rookie, so he has always worked hard when he's here. I can't speak for the rest of the time, but from what we've seen he has been consistent."

"Gronk is Gronk," defensive end Rob Ninkovich said. "He's 'Yo soy fiesta,' right? I think he's a tremendous player. Personality-wise, he's one of the best guys you could ever meet. He's a great guy off the field. He'll say hi to anybody and do anything for you.

"I'm happy to see his progress and to see him coming into this season and staying healthy," Ninkovich added. "Obviously that's what everybody is talking about. I don't want to speak on his behalf, but he's one of the hardest-working guys I've ever seen as well."

Having played in just 18 games over the past two seasons, missing the first six games of 2013 with a forearm injury, his presence has certainly been missed. But is there too much emphasis being placed on his return? "It's a positive," guard Logan Mankins said. "We were all hoping Gronk would have a good recovery and so far he has. We'll just see where he is and how good he is right now. It's great to have him out there. He's a dynamic blocker. He does a great job blocking and he's a big target for Tom (Brady) to get the ball to when he gets open. Any time you can have Gronk on the field, it's great."

Darrelle Revis

The other area getting a fair share of attention will be on the other side of the ball. Defensively, tackles Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly return from season-ending injuries, as does linebacker Jerod Mayo. But the newcomer in the secondary - the one out on his own Island, perhaps - is drawing the eyes of coaches, teammates and anyone nearby. Cornerback Darrelle Revis can be a game-changer, and everyone knows it.

"I like to think every year we have a special group on defense," fellow cornerback-and-sometime-safety Devin McCourty said, when asked about off-season workouts the secondary had together - with Revis. "I think right now, we have a bunch of guys willing to work hard...it's always good when you work out with your teammates, you develop a stronger friendship, a stronger bond. (It's been) really good for us to be out there and for us to work out together, and get better as teammates."

So, football is finally here. The hum-drum of training camp is starting for the coaches and players...while the excitement and anticipation builds for another season. And considering the way the winter sports teams ended around here - and the way the 'boys of summer' are traveling thus far - it's about time.

We've been waiting too long.

Follow JR on Twitter: @JRbroadcaster

Training camp opens to the public Thursday, July 24th at 9:15 am on the practice fields located behind Gillette Stadium. Fans planning to attend practice should check with patriots.com for last minute updates, or call the camp hotline at 508-549-0001.