Having been absent from New England's offseason workouts and OTA practices this spring, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was at Gillette Stadium over the weekend for the ninth-annual Buzz Off event for pediatric cancer.
Beyond getting his hair cut, as he does each spring to support the charity that's raised some $9 million over the years, Gronkowksi created a buzz by confirming that he will be in attendance for the Patriots mandatory mini-camp this week.
The Boston Globe notes that Gronkowski said he’ll be a “full go” for the three-day camp. The Globe wonders if order will be restored in Foxborough with Tom Brady also expected to be on hand for mini-camp workouts after the quarterback has also stayed away from previous offseason work. The Globe writes that recent Patriots-bashing comments reveal something about life in the NFL these days. A Globe column says local pro sports owners, including Patriots boss Robert Kraft, have been giving mix signals on social issues. The Globe notes that the horse named for Gronkowski should be a go for the upcoming Belmont Stakes.
The Boston Herald declares that Gronkowski got the buzz and will be at practice on Tuesday, the papering doubling up on stories that the tight end would be at mini-camp. The Herald writes that the Patriots intend to think big when it comes to the wide receiver position.
ESPN.com's mini-camp primer focuses on Brady and Gronkowski set to make their spring debuts in New England. ESPN.com has Gronkowski confirming his mini-camp plans. ESPN also has the Patriots well represented on the list of things that will define the 2018 NFL season.
ESPNBoston.com's must-read Sunday notes lead off with Shea McClellin countering recent perceptions by saying his two seasons with the Patriots were the best of his career.
WEEI.com passes along word that Brady has a sit-down interview with Oprah set to drop. WEEI.com wonders how Patriots players will react when Brady and Gronkowski hit the practice field this week. WEEI.com has NFL media analyst and former receiver Reggie Wayne disputing recent comments made about his short time in New England.
NBC Sports Boston offers its report on Gronk’s expected mini-camp participation.
NFL.com has Cassius Marsh talking again, this time about how current 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo frequently shredded the Patriots defense last fall on the practice fields of Foxborough. NFL.com also writes a story about Gronkowski being set to go camping. NFL.com looks at the so-called Patriot Way being “under siege.”
SI.com has a few notes on the Patriots, including word that Marsh “pitched a fit” during halftime of last season’s win over the Raiders in Mexico, earning the defensive end his release a couple days later.
USA Today passes on additional information on the Marsh incident from The Athletic, saying the self-proclaimed pass rusher threw a Gatorade jug amid displeasure with his playing time.
MassLive.com gets ready for mini-camp with a very interesting Patriots roster projection that somewhat surprisingly doesn't have receivers Jordan Matthews or Malcolm Mitchell making the cut.
