Report: Bruschi to play in '05

According to a report on New England Cable News last night, Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who suffered a stroke in February, plans to play this season.

The cable network cited a source who said it would be surprising if Bruschi didn't play this season, placing the likelihood of his return at 90 percent.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick wasn't available for comment, but team spokesman Stacey James said Bruschi hasn't told the team whether he plans to play or sit out this season.

''Tedy Bruschi will make his intention known when he is ready," James said. ''As far as I know, he hasn't discussed it with the staff as yet."

Doctors cleared Bruschi for limited workout activities some time ago. He participated in team meetings at a June mini-camp, but did not take it to the practice field.

Bruschi's agent, Brad Blank, said yesterday he had spoken with Bruschi in the last couple of days but the linebacker hadn't indicated he had made any decision about playing in 2005.

The Patriots open training camp July 29 and will have to decide whether to put Bruschi on the active roster at that time.

In mid-June at the team's ring ceremony, Bruschi said he was in no rush to make a decision.

''I'm just taking my time making sure things are right," Bruschi said at the Patriots' Super Bowl ring ceremony in June. ''Just living one day at a time right now.

''The organization has been so supportive of me, I'm not pressured with any timetable. My family and I are worried about my health, and we're just making sure I'm getting better and that's the only thing we're focusing on right now."

First shall be first

The Patriots will be the first NFL team to begin the 2005 season, with approximately 17 rookies expected to report today at Gillette Stadium.

Over the next few days, the first-year players will participate in weightlifting and conditioning workouts, before being joined Sunday by returning quarterbacks and veterans who were on injured reserve at the end of last season. The group's first on-the-field workout, which is closed to the public, is Monday.

The rest of the team is due July 28, with a full-squad practice scheduled the following day.

The Patriots' top four rookies -- offensive lineman Logan Mankins, cornerback Ellis Hobbs, lineman Nick Kaczur, and safety James Sanders -- are unlikely to report today. Only players under contract are allowed to participate in training camp activities.

James said unsigned rookies aren't considered holdouts until practice sessions begin. The Patriots have just under $3 million (base pay) available per the league's rookie pool to sign its seven draft picks.

Fifth-round selection Ryan Claridge, a linebacker from Nevada-Las Vegas, quarterback Matt Cassel, a seventh-rounder from Southern California, and tight end Andy Stokes of William Penn (the last player selected in the draft) have signed and will be in Foxborough today.

Mankins, penciled in atop the depth chart at left guard, is the only rookie likely to start, but Hobbs impressed enough at mini-camp to challenge for playing time as a nickel back, and Kaczur should be entrenched as a second-teamer by the end of camp.

''It's important for rookies to get into camp to earn their place with the team," said Hobbs's agent, Kevin Omell. ''Ellis is looking forward to getting onto the field as soon as possible."

By July 31, all 32 teams will be in camp, though Philadelphia's veterans face the latest mandatory reporting date (Aug. 1).

Three teams -- Atlanta, St. Louis and San Diego -- joined the trend of holding training camp at the team's regular-season practice facility, as opposed to the traditional travel camp most often held on a small-town college campus.

Ten years ago, only six squads trained at home, but this year 15 teams will do so.

Green Bay is entering its 49th year at St. Norbert College in DePere, Wis. Three other teams have been at their training sites more than 35 years, including Pittsburgh, which has been at St. Vincent College (Latrobe, Pa.) for 39 years.

Nick Cafardo of the Globe staff contributed to this report.