Patriots notebook

Brady ‘disconnect’ isn’t vexing to Kraft

By Shalise Manza Young and Albert R. Breer

Globe Staff / June 11, 2010

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FOXBOROUGH — Robert Kraft said it in March, he said it in May, and he said it again yesterday: The Patriots are privileged to have Tom Brady on their team.

But with the topic of Brady’s contract a hot one after a Yahoo! Sports report last week said there is a “growing disconnect’’ between New England and Brady’s bunch, Kraft was asked about the quarterback again yesterday during an interview on Sirius NFL radio.

Kraft reiterated his desire to have all players working out in Foxborough for as much of the offseason as possible, even though Brady spent much of the winter and spring on the West Coast with his older son and traveling the world with his wife and infant son.

But as a father and family man, Kraft understands Brady’s need to spend time with his young family. He added that it is difficult to judge what is right or wrong, noting that Brady’s life has changed greatly in the 10-plus years since he was drafted.

“Look, we are so lucky to have Tom Brady,’’ Kraft said when asked about negotiations. “He’s under contract. He’s here. I’m privileged to have a pretty special relationship with him. And I think he knows how I feel about him. I think we both want to solve the problem, or the issue. I don’t know that it’s a problem . . . it’s complicated.

“We basically have had a policy that we keep all those conversations between the principals, so it’s not something we’re going to discuss or do in the media.’’

On the subject of coach Bill Belichick electing not to have a named coordinator on either side of the ball, Kraft supports the decision.

“I have full confidence in him, and that’s the reason he has autonomy; he’s earned the right to do that,’’ Kraft said. “We’re not big on titles around here.’’

An influential voice in league matters, Kraft expressed confidence that the NFL and the Players Association will reach an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement.

“A work stoppage, besides being very disappointing to the fans in 2011, would be very expensive for everyone,’’ he said. “It would be costly for both sides. But the bottom line is the CBA doesn’t expire until March of 2011, and we have a wonderful year of football in front of us.’’

Gordon let go

The Patriots released defensive lineman Amon Gordon. A 2004 late-round pick of the Browns, Gordon was signed April 21 . . . Wes Welker was once again with his teammates for stretching, agility work, and some position drills. During route work, Welker made a pretty sideline catch, about 25 yards downfield . . . In seven-on-seven work with the first-teamers facing one another, the offense converted three straight first-down passes: Brady to Randy Moss, Julian Edelman, and then Brandon Tate. Moss was quite vocal with the defense, boasting about the offense’s prowess. In competitive 11-on-11 work, Moss and Brady’s words seemed to fire up the defense, as the offense failed to get into the end zone from the 10-yard line and a full set of downs, with both Brady and Brian Hoyer under center . . . Ty Warren, Brandon McGowan, Matt Light, Nick Kaczur, Logan Mankins, Aaron Hernandez, Taylor Price, and Kade Weston were not present. Warren apparently is back in town after tending to academics at Texas A&M, but there was no word as to why he wasn’t on the field.