Ben Volin of the Boston Globe believes it's still unclear whether or not Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski will be ready for the start of the season.
"He was actually bursting, planting, and cutting during the early portions of Thursday's practice open to the media, and doesn't look like he's having any limitations," notes Volin. Â READ MORE>>
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Mike Reiss](http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4763810/quick-hit-thoughts-around-nfl-pats-183) of ESPN Boston writes that Patriots WR Danny Amendola's play has "caught the eye" during OTAs.
Reiss adds, "For Amendola, the question remains the same as it has in recent years: Does that change, and do the injuries continue once the pads come on?" READ MORE>>
Doug Farrar of Sports Illustrated writes that Patriots first round draft pick Dominque Easley could redefine New England's defensive fronts.
"As I pointed out in his SI 64 scouting report, Easley's most prominent attribute is that he can play convincingly and at a starter level in so many gaps," writes Farrar. "There are multiple examples of him blowing up protections everywhere. He even has the speed and turn to disrupt from a wide-nine stance. For his size, Easley flashes tremendous upper-body strength — he plays 20 or 30 pounds heavier than he is in that sense, but he has the field speed and agility of a linebacker when he's in space or covering in short areas." READ MORE>>
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Alex Marvez](http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/photos/ready-to-explode-breakout-players-for-every-nfl-team-060914) of FOX Sports believes Patriots LB Jamie Collins is ready to break out in 2014.
"A 2013 second-round pick, Collins displayed the potential to become a consistent difference-maker in last season's second-round playoff win against Indianapolis," adds Marvez. "Collins notched a sack and an interception and handled Colts tight end Coby Fleener in coverage. Such versatility – a trait cherished by New England head coach Bill Belichick – has the Patriots grooming Collins for an even bigger role in 2014." READ MORE>>
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports believes Patriots QB Tom Brady is still a top-five quarterback in the NFL.
"It's Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and then Brady," writes Prisco. "It's absurd to think otherwise, no matter what the data-heads say." READ MORE>>
