Welker’s status entering training camp has been a hot topic in New England and throughout the NFL.

Many felt that Welker was going to be ready to play, so the medical staff must not have cleared him.

He is still on track in his recovery from ACL surgery and could be back for the start of the season.

It gives the Patriots a chance to evaluate some other wide receivers who can now get more reps with Welker on the sidelines.

Welker, who is recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee, had been expected to miss the start of the season. But he has recovered well ahead of schedule, with the Patriots saying he’ll be able to participate in all drills, including ones with contact.Welker torn his ACL in the last game of the regular season in 2009, and an extended absence this season would’ve been difficult for New England to deal with considering how productive he is. Welker has exceeded 100 catches and 1,000 yards receiving in each of his three seasons in Foxboro, and set career-highs with 123 catches and 1,348 yards in 2009.

In fact, it seems as though the sides may actually be farther apart now than they were before.

Brady wants to become the NFL’s highest-paid quarterback, but the Patriots are balking at that commitment.

The Patriots probably have some reservations after watching Brady’s uneven performance last year.

The quarterback believes he is set for a monster season now that he has a full year under his belt following ACL surgery.

The Patriots could end up re-signing him at some point, but both sides will go separate ways for now.

Springs played just one season for the Patriots, taking the field for 12 games and recording an interception.

New England drafted Rutgers cornerback Devin McCourty in the first round, making Springs expendable.

Several NFL teams will likely express an interest in Springs, but his age and injury history could make him a tough sell.

Welker seriously injured his knee late in the season last year and underwent offseason surgery.

The wideout also elected to have surgery on his rotator cuff since he knew he would be sidelined with his injured knee.

He said that it is so early in the recovery process that he can possibly put together a timetable for his return.

It’s likely that the Patriots will have to play most, if not all, of next season without Welker.

The quarterback is splitting time between his homes in New England and California, spending as much time with his family as possible.

That means that Brady has been much more absent in the offseason this year than in previous years.

He said that he expects that it will take him a little bit more time to adjust to his teammates in training camp because he isn’t around as much.

With that said, he feels like he is in a much better place this year than last when he was coming off of ACL surgery.

The team has been awarded a sixth-round pick from last year’s trade of tight end David Thomas to the New Orleans Saints.

The Patriots were to receive a seventh-round pick, but Thomas’ production bumped it up to a sixth-rounder.

This means New England now has 11 selections in next year’s NFL Draft, including two first-rounders.

They always seem to acquire additional picks, which means it could be a scary good draft for New England.

Thomas had not been happy since the middle of last year when he was left inactive for a game by head coach Bill Belichick.

The head coach further angered him sending him home from practice after he arrived late because of traffic due to a snowstorm.

Overall, Thomas was disappointing in his few years with the Patriots, never living up to the hype after leaving Baltimore.

The Ravens could show interest in him, but it’s more likely he ends up with the New York Jets.

The Patriots gobbled up cornerback Devin McCourty after trading back from pick No. 24 with the Dallas Cowboys.

McCourty is a physical cornerback who started to make a name for himself just weeks before the draft.

The Patriots could use some cornerback help, and McCourty is also an outstanding special teams player.

The fact he is so good on special teams makes him the perfect selection for head coach Bill Belichick, who loves versatile players.

Holt spent last year with the Jacksonville Jaguars after playing many years with the St. Louis Rams.

The Rams were looking to rebuild and get younger and Holt’s skills had declined, so they let him go.

Holt caught 51 passes for 722 yards and no touchdowns last year with the Jaguars, who are a run-oriented team.

The Patriots could certainly use depth at the wideout position with Wes Welker’s status still unknown.