By Shalise Manza Young, Globe Staff

The Patriots have announced a free exchange of any Aaron Hernandez jersey on July 6-7.

Any Hernandez jersey that was purchased at the Patriots ProShop or through PatriotsProShop.com can be exchanged for a different player's jersey of comparable value at no additional charge.

"We know that children love wearing their Patriots jerseys but may not understand why parents don't want them wearing their Hernandez jerseys anymore," team spokesman Stacey James said in a statement. "We hope this opportunity to exchange those jerseys at the Patriots ProShop will be well received by parents."

This opportunity for a free exchange is limited to the weekend of July 6-7 and is available only at the Patriots ProShop at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. The hours of operation are 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sunday.

The exchange is for jerseys available in the ProShop only and is limited to one per person. For more details and restrictions, please visit the Patriots website at www.patriots.com.

By Zuri Berry, Boston.com Staff

Ultimately, the Patriots did exactly what they were supposed to by cutting Aaron Hernandez immediately for his connection to a murder investigation.

And like drips and drabs, more details keep coming out about the team’s former tight end. He’s now being investigated in connection with a double homicide in Boston in 2012. He’s also being sued by a former associate for allegedly shooting the man after an altercation in Florida.

That’s three incidents of alleged shootings in which Hernandez is connected. No one apparently really knew who he was outside of his inner clique. And with his banishment -- and more than appropriate incarceration for the time being -- the Patriots now have to turn turn to figuring who will replace his varied skillset.

The balance of the team’s roster has gaping holes in the tight ends department. The team will already be without Rob Gronkowski for an extended period, so the options going into training camp and preseason may appear to be lackluster for the uninitiated. But there’s actually some pretty good players left.

FULL ENTRY

By Zuri Berry, Boston.com Staff

Former Patriots tackle Matt Light, who retired after the 2011 season, said he never embraced anything Aaron Hernandez stood for.

What he meant, we're not sure.

Light, speaking to the Dayton Daily News, played two years with Hernandez, so he got a chance to see him up close. What's more, the usually good-natured Light is not known to criticize, much less comment, on former teammates or other players.

He tells the Daily News: “I never talk about other guys, but I will say I have never embraced -- never believed in -- anything Aaron Hernandez stood for."

Light's comments, according to the Daily News report, came on Tuesday, a day before Hernandez was arrested and charged with murder and five other weapons charges in connection with the death of a Dorchester man.

By Shalise Manza Young and Ben Volin, Globe Staff

The Patriots released tight end Aaron Hernandez on Wednesday morning, less than two hours after the player was taken into custody by state and local police in connection with the murder of Boston resident Odin Lloyd.

Authorities charged Hernandez with murder, including several llegal firearms charges. But the Patriots decided to cut ties with their young star tight end before those charges were known.

A source told the Globe that the team had been prepared to cut Hernandez as soon as an arrest occurred.

He was ordered held without bail.

In all, Hernandez pleaded not guilty to six charges.

The team released a statement in announcing his release:

“A young man was murdered last week and we extend our sympathies to the family and friends who mourn his loss. Words cannot express the disappointment we feel knowing that one of our players was arrested as a result of this investigation. We realize that law enforcement investigations into this matter are ongoing. We support their efforts and respect the process. At this time, we believe this transaction is simply the right thing to do.”

Hernandez’s arrest comes nine days after the body of 27-year-old Lloyd was found murdered in an industrial park about a mile from Hernandez’s home in North Attleborough.

New England has wasted no time and is clearly doing everything it can to distance itself from Hernandez.

Immensely talented, Hernandez fell to the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft because of character issues while at the University of Florida – teams were worried about his several failed drug tests and associations.

But Hernandez, 23, had been a quiet star since entering the NFL, compiling 1,956 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns in three seasons with the Patriots. The tight end will still count $4.073 million against New England's salary cap for 2013.

The Patriots structured Hernandez's 2012 contract extension in such a way that he earned large chunks of money through workout and roster bonuses. A source told the Globe it looked like the team had protected itself financially "in case he was a knucklehead."

Of course there was no way of knowing that this type of trouble -- being tied to a murder investigation -- is what would come to pass.

The NFL released a statement regarding Hernandez's arrest as well:

"The involvement of an NFL player in a case of this nature is deeply troubling. The Patriots have released Aaron Hernandez, who will have his day in court. At the same time, we should not forget the young man who was the victim in this case and take this opportunity to extend our deepest sympathy to Odin Lloyd's family and friends."

Hernandez has already pocketed approximately $10.15 million from a seven-year, $40 million contract he signed before the 2012 season: $9.25 million in signing bonus money ($6 million up front, and a $3.25 million payment on March 31), $540,000 in base salary from last season and $400,000 in roster and workout bonuses over the last two offseasons. He has another $3.25 million signing bonus payment due on March 31, 2014, but it is unclear at this time whether the Patriots will be able to avoid paying it.

It is also unclear as of now whether the Patriots will be able to recoup some or all of the signing bonus money already paid to Hernandez, whether it can avoid paying him $2.5 million in guaranteed base salary due in 2013 and 2014 and if they can get salary cap relief in the future.

In addition to the $4.073 million against the salary cap in 2013, Hernandez could cost as much as $9 million against the cap in 2014.

By Ben Volin, Globe Staff

Can Tom Brady reclaim the top spot? Or will he continue to slide down the rankings?

Those are the two big questions for Patriots fans when the NFL Network unveils the final installment of the Top 100 Players of 2013 feature this Thursday at 8 p.m.

Brady was No. 1 in 2011, the first year of the show, and fell to No. 4 last year, behind Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Calvin Johnson. And he’s got some stiff competition again this year – here is the top 10, in alphabetical order:

Tom Brady – New England Patriots, QB
Arian Foster – Houston Texans, RB
Calvin Johnson – Detroit Lions, WR
Peyton Manning – Denver Broncos, QB
Von Miller – Denver Broncos, LB
Adrian Peterson – Minnesota Vikings, RB
Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers, QB
Aldon Smith – San Francisco 49ers, LB
J.J. Watt – Houston Texans, DE
Patrick Willis – San Francisco 49ers, LB

Given what Adrian Peterson accomplished last year coming off the torn ACL – rushing for 2,097 yards, second-most in NFL history – it’s hard to imagine he won’t be No. 1. And Calvin Johnson, who almost had the first 2,000-yard receiving season in NFL history (1,964), is a good bet for No. 2. Houston’s J.J. Watt also deserves serious consideration for the No. 1 spot – his 20.5 sacks, 25 quarterback hits and 30 pressures were absolutely incredible, especially given that he plays 3-4 defensive end – but these votes are almost always about offensive players.

As for the quarterbacks, Brady might be ranked third behind Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning this year. Brady had more yards, but Rodgers and Manning each had more touchdown passes and higher passer ratings.

In case you were wondering, here’s the Top 10 from 2012:

1. Aaron Rodgers
2. Drew Brees
3. Calvin Johnson
4. Tom Brady
5. Darrelle Revis
6. DeMarcus Ware
7. Larry Fitzgerald
8. Adrian Peterson
9. Haloti Ngata
10. Patrick Willis

Here’s the Top 10 from 2011:

1. Tom Brady
2. Peyton Manning
3. Adrian Peterson
4. Ray Lewis
5. Ed Reed
6. Troy Polamalu
7. Andre Johnson
8. Darrelle Revis
9. Drew Brees
10. Julius Peppers

And here’s Nos. 100-11 for 2013:

100. Dennis Pitta – Baltimore Ravens, TE
99. Trent Williams – Washington Redskins, T
98. Maurice Jones-Drew – Jacksonville Jaguars, RB
97. Heath Miller – Pittsburgh Steelers, TE
96. Dashon Goldson – Tampa Bay Buccaneers/San Francisco 49ers, S
95. Max Unger – Seattle Seahawks, G/C
94. Daryl Washington – Arizona Cardinals, LB
93. Anquan Boldin – San Francisco 49ers/Baltimore Ravens, WR
92. Gerald McCoy – Tampa Bay Buccaneers, DT
91. Troy Polamalu – Pittsburgh Steelers, S
90. Percy Harvin – Seattle Seahawks/Minnesota Vikings, WR
89. Cameron Wake – Miami Dolphins, DE
88. Jacoby Jones – Baltimore Ravens, WR
87. Bernard Pollard – Tennessee Titans/Baltimore Ravens, S
86. London Fletcher – Washington Redskins, LB
85. Charles Woodson – Oakland Raiders/Green Bay Packers, CB
84. Steve Smith – Carolina Panthers, WR
83. Lance Briggs – Chicago Bears, LB
82. Logan Mankins – New England Patriots, G
81. Colin Kaepernick – San Francisco 49ers, QB
80. Dwight Freeney – San Diego Chargers/Indianapolis Colts, DE
79. Luke Kuechly – Carolina Panthers, LB
78. Joe Staley – San Francisco 49ers, OT
77. Aaron Hernandez – New England Patriots, TE
76. Matthew Stafford – Detroit Lions, QB
75. Brandon Flowers – Kansas City Chiefs, CB
74. Robert Mathis – Indianapolis Colts, LB
73. Antonio Gates – San Diego Chargers, TE
72. Mario Williams – Buffalo Bills, DE
71. Trent Richardson – Cleveland Browns, RB
70. Chad Greenway – Minnesota Vikings, LB
69. Tim Jennings – Chicago Bears, CB
68. Demaryius Thomas – Denver Broncos, WR
67. Darrelle Revis – Tampa Bay Buccaneers/New York Jets, CB
66. Earl Thomas – Seattle Seahawks, S
65. Dwayne Bowe – Kansas City Chiefs, WR
64. Alfred Morris – Washington Redskins, RB
63. Stephen Tulloch – Detroit Lions, LB
62. Chris Johnson – Tennessee Titans, RB
61. Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers, QB
60. Jared Allen – Minnesota Vikings, DE
59. Derrick Johnson – Kansas City Chiefs, LB
58. Victor Cruz – New York Giants, WR
57. Doug Martin – Tampa Bay Buccaneers, DB
56. Terrell Suggs – Baltimore Ravens, LB
55. Jason Pierre-Paul – New York Giants, DE
54. Julius Peppers – Chicago Bears, DE
53. Champ Bailey – Denver Broncos, CB
52. Vincent Jackson – Tampa Bay Buccaneers, WR
51. Russell Wilson – Seattle Seahawks, QB
50. Richard Sherman – Seattle Seahawks, CB
49. Justin Houston – Kansas City Chiefs, LB
48. Duane Brown – Houston Texans, OT
47. Tony Gonzalez – Atlanta Falcons, TE
46. Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers, QB
45. LeSean McCoy – Philadelphia Eagles, RB
44. Wes Welker – Denver Broncos/New England Patriots, WR
43. Eli Manning – New York Giants, QB
42. Haloti Ngata – Baltimore Ravens, DT
41. Jason Witten – Dallas Cowboys, TE
40. Ndamukong Suh – Detroit Lions, DT
39. Roddy White – Atlanta Falcons, WR
38. Vernon Davis – San Francisco 49ers, TE
37. NaVorro Bowman – San Francisco 49ers, LB
36. Geno Atkins – Cincinnati Bengals, DT
35. Dez Bryant – Dallas Cowboys, WR/PR
34. Charles Tillman – Chicago Bears, CB
33. Patrick Peterson – Arizona Cardinals, CB/PR
32. Frank Gore – San Francisco 49ers, RB
31. Clay Matthews – Green Bay Packers, LB
30. Vince Wilfork – New England Patriots, DT
29. Justin Smith – San Francisco 49ers, DT
28. Joe Thomas – Cleveland Browns, OT
27. Brandon Marshall – Chicago Bears, WR
26. Julio Jones – Atlanta Falcons, WR
25. Rob Gronkowski – New England Patriots, TE
24. Marshawn Lynch – Seattle Seahawks, RB
23. Andrew Luck – Indianapolis Colts, QB
22. Larry Fitzgerald – Arizona Cardinals, WR
21. Reggie Wayne – Indianapolis Colts, WR
20. Jamaal Charles – Kansas City Chiefs, RB
19. Joe Flacco – Baltimore Ravens, QB
18. Ed Reed – Houston Texans/Baltimore Ravens, S
17. Matt Ryan – Atlanta Falcons, QB
16. AJ Green – Cincinnati Bengals, WR
15. Robert Griffin III – Washington Redskins, QB
14. Andre Johnson – Houston Texans, WR
13. Ray Rice – Baltimore Ravens, RB
12. DeMarcus Ware – Dallas Cowboys, DE
11. Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints, QB

By Shalise Manza Young, Globe Staff

The Patriots have announced that they signed second-round pick Aaron Dobson. Dobson was the last of the team's seven draft picks to sign.

The 59th overall pick, Dobson is a 6-foot-3, 203 pound receiver. A three-year starter at Marshall, Dobson finished his career with 165 receptions for 2,398 yards and tied Troy Brown for fourth in school history with 24 touchdowns. Last fall, he had 57 receptions for 679 yards and three touchdowns.

Under the rookie salary slotting system, Dobson's deal is four years, with an approximate value of $3.43 million, including an $873,360 signing bonus.

Dr. Robert Watkins, the surgeon who operated on Rob Gronkowski on Tuesday, has released a brief statement:

"New England Patriots’ tight end Rob Gronkowski underwent a microscopic lumbar discectomy surgery performed by Dr. Robert Watkins at Marina Del Rey Hospital in Los Angeles. The surgery went well. The timing of his return to football will depend on his progression through the rehabilitation program."

Watkins performed the same procedure on Giants' defensive lineman Jason Pierre-Paul earlier this month.

By Ben Volin, Globe Staff

Massachusetts State police are questioning Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez in relation to a homicide near Hernandez’s home in North Attleboro.

According to Sports Illustrated, Hernandez is not currently a suspect after the body of a 27-year-old man was found Monday afternoon in an industrial park near Hernandez’s home, but a car rented in Hernandez’s name has emerged as a key piece of evidence.

According to ABC News, the victim is an associate of Hernandez, who has not been cooperative thus far with police. Police are reportedly are seeking a warrant to search his house.

Hernandez, 23, was the Patriots’ fourth-round pick in 2010 and is currently rehabbing from shoulder surgery. He has become one of the team’s top offensive stars, catching 18 touchdown passes in three seasons.

By Ben Volin, Globe Staff

The good news for Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is that doctors felt confident enough that the infection in his forearm had cleared that they could perform surgery on his back Tuesday.

But now he faces a lengthy rehab and a lot of uncertainty over when he can return to the football field.

Gronkowski, 24, had surgery to fix a herniated disk performed in Los Angeles by noted back surgeon Robert Watkins. The surgery is relatively routine and takes less than an hour, according to experts, and Gronkowski’s surgery went off without a hitch, a league source told the Globe.

When the Patriots can get Gronkowski back, though, is unclear. The generally accepted rehab schedule from disk surgery is approximately 12 weeks – six weeks for the scar to heal, and six weeks to get strength and conditioning back to the point where he can play football. But that appears to be a best-case scenario.

The 12-week window puts Gronkowski right up against the Patriots’ Week 1 game at Buffalo Sept. 8. He conceivably could be ready to play in the opener. More likely, the Patriots would opt to be conservative and hold him out anywhere from one to six games.

Gronkowski is a near-lock to begin the preseason on the physically unable to perform list, which means he can't participate with the team in training camp practices. He can be taken off the PUP list at any time in the preseason, but if he remains on it at the start of the season, he must by rule sit out the first six games.

The Patriots could also opt to take Gronkowski off the PUP list before the start of the season but still hold him out for as many games as they see fit.

This is the second back surgery Gronkowski has undergone. He had a similar disk operation in September of 2009 and missed his final season at the University of Arizona, finally getting medical clearance to return to football activities in January of 2010.

Tuesday’s surgery was on a different disk than the one that was repaired in 2009, according to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus,

The disk injury dropped Gronkowski to the second round of the 2010 draft, but he has not missed a game because of a back problem in three NFL seasons, catching 38 touchdowns in 43 games. Rosenhaus said Gronkowski played the entire 2012 season with the back condition.

Tuesday’s surgery came almost a month after Gronkowski had his fourth surgery on his left forearm. He broke the forearm last November and again in January, and the wound became infected, necessitating two additional surgeries to clear it out.

Gronkowski was forced to wait a month after the last forearm surgery before having the back surgery because the infection needed to be completely eradicated.

By Zuri Berry, Boston.com Staff

While on his way to attend Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, Patriots running back Shane Vereen told Boston.com that he doesn't feel any pressure filling Danny Woodhead's old role as the team's change-of-pace running back.

Vereen, who was speaking on behalf of Fanatics.com, a sports apparel retailer with licenses across the four major sports and college, discussed being a hockey fan, the Bruins, the Patriots, and his role on the team going into training camp.

Here are excerpts of Vereen's comments:

How did you get hooked up with Fanatics.com?
"That's a great question. They approached me. I jumped on the opportunity. You know at first I didn't know much about them, but I'm learning more and more.

"I got my own personalized jersey with my name and number on the back. My family is gonna start using Fanatics now. It's a different experience."

What does this mean for you, the Shane Vereen brand, moving into a different sort of limelight?
"It's pretty cool, I'm excited for it. I'm just trying to do the best job I can."

Tell me more about the jersey you're wearing?
"It's the black jersey with my name and number on the back. It has an old school Bruins logo with the bear."

Is that similar to the bear you used to wear at Cal?
"Yeah, I guess it does look similar. It's a kind of similar bear, although they're the Bruins. We don't like to talk about those other Bruins (UCLA), if you know what I'm saying."

That leads me into my next question. We hear you're a big hockey fan now. As a guy from the Los Angeles area, where do your allegiances lie, with the Kings or the Bruins?
"I think I hope for the LA teams to do well in any sport. However, I was not a big hockey fan until I moved to Boston. I kind of adopted it. So that's why I'm a big Bruins fan."

Did Julian Edelman, also a native Californian, get you into hockey?
"No, not entirely. But he's part of it."

Can you break down the Bruins' keys to winning this series for us?
"No chance I can give you hockey talk. But I can give you three keys of what I think. I got three of my own keys, I think.

"No. 1 is they play good defense. Offense wins games, defense wins championships.

"No. 2 is be more physical -- be the more physical team, I should say.

"And No. 3 is if you're not cheering in Fanatics gear, then you're not a true fan. Just for today. (Laughs.) Just for today."

Give me some cross analysis here: You're a fast guy -- I think everybody knows that -- and you haven't quite popped yet as far as full potential for the Patriots. Tyler Seguin is also a speed guy for the Bruins who some would argue hasn't quite popped yet, either. Would you say he's the Shane Vereen of the Bruins?
"That's funny. I actually had the opportunity to meet Tyler. He's one of my good friends. It depends on the game. If he plays bad, then no, I can't be associated with him. But if he plays good, then yeah, we're just alike. (Laughs.)"

Which Bruin is your favorite?
"I'd definitely say Tyler. But I like [Brad] Marchand, too. He's a little guy, but he fights back. He's got that little man complex. I guess I shouldn't say that. But he's good."

Do you consider yourself a fashionable guy, in comparison to, say, Stevan Ridley with his onesies and moon boots?
"I would never wear moon boots and onesies. However, I do have a couple of onesies courtesy of Stevan. But I won't be wearing any of them any time soon."

Patriots minicamp wrapped early. That's usually a sign that Bill Belichick has liked what he has seen. You've got the next month off; what do you do in your free time to prepare for training camp and the season?
"Stay focused. Trying to get myself ready for a long season. I've got to be able to be durable and last the full 16 games. That's important."

Are you able to get around town -- not in California, but here -- and not be recognized?
"Yeah, there's times when people recognize me. It shows that fans are real supportive of what you do. I love it. I love being in a city where people take it this seriously."

Danny Woodhead's departure is being universally seen as an opportunity for you to fill a role as the change-of-pace running back, the third-down guy, and the guy who plays a critical part of the no-huddle. Do you feel the weight of that responsibility, the anticipation for you to fill that role, when you talk to fans?
"I don't know if I feel pressure. I know that everybody on the team has a job and a role. When your number is called, you have a job to do. That's what I like, that's what I look forward to. I'm just hoping that when my number is called, I can fulfill my job to my best ability."

Two weeks ago, I asked on Boston.com which running back on the Patriots roster would surprise us the most this season. Can you answer that?
"I can't answer it. But hopefully all of us. I do think we have a good running back group and we can all surprise. I'm looking forward to it."

Last question: Give us your Stanley Cup Final prediction. How many games? Who wins?
"Bruins in six. And as soon as they win, everybody needs to go to Fanatics.com and pick up championship gear so they can become a better fan. (Laughs.)"

@zuriberry

By Shalise Manza Young, Globe Staff

The Patriots have signed rookie running back George Winn.

Winn, who is 5 feet 10 inches, 218 pounds, was not drafted out of Cincinnati but was signed by the Texans. Houston released him a couple of weeks later. As a starter in college in 2012, Winn had 243 carries for 1,334 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Winn was recruited to Cincinnati by Massachusetts native and current Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly, and is a cousin of former NFL receiver Derrick Mason.

New England now has 88 players on its roster; teams can carry 90 into training camp.

By Shalise Manza Young, Globe Staff

According to an NFL source, tight end Rob Gronkowski will undergo back surgery on Tuesday.

The diskectomy, the official name for the procedure to fix a herniated disk, will be performed in California by Dr. Robert Watkins, considered one of the best in the business when it comes to this particular surgery.

Colleague Ben Volin wrote last week about the recovery process after a diskectomy, and also how former players responded to getting the procedure.

As is well known at this point, Tuesday's surgery will be the fifth Gronkowski has undergone since mid-November – he had to have his left forearm, initially broken against the Colts, operated on four times.

The date of Gronkowski's back surgery was first reported by ESPN.com.

Tim Tebow's use will continue to be much debated here in New England. (Charles Krupa / AP photo)

By Zuri Berry, Boston.com Staff

All everyone wants to know is what the Patriots plan to do with their new lefthanded Swiss Army knife, Tim Tebow.

Will he lead the team into uncharted waters as a wildcat QB? Will he show up in the backfield, behind Tom Brady as a fullback? Will he show off his pass catching ability, maybe as a tight end?

Will he be the team's backup quarterback? (What of Ryan Mallett?)

Daring to ask Patriots head coach Bill Belichick to specify one or the other is as humorous as it is useless. Thus feeds the Tebow fire. Therefore, we don't just term it a circus because what it is comes across as clear as stripes on a zebra.

It's a project. And one that Belichick is quite ready to take on, with all the hoopla that comes along for the ride. But it is one that has reasonable expectations, or aspirations, and low risk (2 years, base $1.36 million).

Why is that? Because there is reason to believe that Tebow can function in the Patriots offense in a subset of plays that will make him a useful addition. And although Tebow may be rated on the low end of mobile quarterbacks, no one is questioning his mobility, or the trend that is occurring in the NFL at his position.

FULL ENTRY

By Shalise Manza Young, Globe Staff

Summer break is starting a little early for Patriots players and staff – the team has announced that Thursday's final minicamp practice and media access have been canceled.

It's safe to assume that Bill Belichick was pleased with the amount of work his team got done not just this week but throughout the spring. He also canceled the final day of minicamp last year.

The team will reconvene around July 24 or 25 for training camp.

By Zuri Berry, Boston.com Staff

FOXBOROUGH -- The Globe's Ben Volin and I review the Patriots second minicamp practice, scrutinizing Tim Tebow's day and we also have an interview with wide receiver Michael Jenkins.

By Shalise Manza Young, Globe Staff

Patriots owner Robert Kraft met with reporters Wednesday afternoon and of course was asked about his team's newest player, Tim Tebow.

"If you want to win in this league, you need quality depth management," said Kraft. "In the age of the salary cap, whenever you can get a competitive, first-grade person to join your team, you never know what happens.

"But for me personally, having Tim Tebow on this team, he’s someone who believes in spirituality, he’s very competitive and works hard and has a great attitude and he’s a winner.

"Having him as part of our franchise is great but he has to compete just like anyone else. We’re blessed to have a lot of people like that, but the fact that spirituality is so important to him is very appealing to me."

Kraft added that Tebow handles himself in a first-class way and that he's never heard anyone say something about the quarterback that isn't positive.

Speaking after the annual Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards celebration, Kraft tired of all of the Tebow questions, redirecting one about the media frenzy by saying how excited he is to have football back and how excited he is about the team New England is building.

Later, when asked how the Tebow signing came about, Kraft said Tebow is "just one of 90 people right now" and wondered if they hadn't talked about the player enough.

He did stick by his belief -- first voiced in 2009, when Michael Vick was released from prison and was a free agent -- that he sees no reason for Tom Brady to come off the field for an athletic-type quarterback to take a couple of snaps.

"In my mind, we have the greatest quarterback of all-time on our team and every time he has the ball in his hands, we have a chance to do something great. Nothing has changed in that regard for me," Kraft said.

The Patriots owner saw Tebow play a few times when he was at Florida, and his team has faced Tebow a handful of times since Tebow was drafted in 2010, so he has seen him on-field a fair amount.

"I think he’s hard-working and very cooperative," said Kraft. "I don’t think there’s any coach who wouldn’t like to have a team full of people like he is. Like [Tom] Brady, he comes out there and works hard, or Vince Wilfork, Jerod Mayo.

"They come in, they work hard, they prepare hard and they’re all business. You can’t get enough people like that on your team. We’re honored that he’s with us."

On Tuesday, Bill Belichick said signing Tebow was a team decision, and that it included Kraft's input.

"He spoke to me about it," said Kraft. "Look, life is about collecting good people around you who you like to have with you and who want to win. I think he, like many of our other players, fall in that category. You can’t have enough good people around you. He has the added dimension of spirituality being so important to him and that personally appeals to me a lot."

By Zuri Berry, Boston.com Staff

FOXBOROUGH -- The Patriots continued minicamp Wednesday, with the fervor over new quarterback Tim Tebow beginning to subside.

The Patriots practiced before a considerably smaller crowd of journalists -- down from the 80-plus credentialed media members Tuesday -- while entertaining a VIP group at Gillette Stadium's practice fields.

Tebow, the former Broncos and Jets quarterback who was signed Tuesday, was 5 of 7 passing on nine reps of 11-on-11 drills with the backups. In his second day with the team, he still appeared to be getting acclimated to the offense, holding the ball too long on two particular plays and making another risky throw. However, one of his incompletions was a drop.

Missing from the practice was tight end Aaron Hernandez, who had been on the field Tuesday and spoke with reporters. Also missing were Rob Gronkowski (back/forearm), Julian Edelman (foot), Nick McDonald (unknown), and Kanorris Davis (unknown).

Another group of players had limited reps, including Devin McCourty, Brandon Spikes, Stevan Ridley, Brandon Bolden, Alfonzo Dennard, rookie Aaron Dobson, rookie Josh Boyce, and rookie Brandon Ford.

Tom Brady found himself working with wide receivers Danny Amendola and Michael Jenkins, tight ends Daniel Fells and Michael Hoomanawanui, and running back Leon Washington in the first group.

By Shalise Manza Young, Globe Staff

Bill Belichick was in front of reporters again Wednesday before the Patriots took the field for Day 2 of minicamp, and while the crowd was still a bit larger than usual for this time of year, it wasn't the madhouse it was Tuesday, a.k.a. The Day Tebow Arrived.

And, thankfully, the press conference wasn't all about the team's new third-string quarterback.

Judging by his comments, Belichick is not pleased with linebacker Brandon Spikes, who opted to skip voluntary workouts and OTAs in favor of working out on his own in South Florida.

When asked Tuesday about the recovering Rob Gronkowski and his contact with the team, Belichick took a thinly veiled swipe at Spikes, saying pointedly, "All of our players except one have been here regularly through the offseason up until this week."

On Wednesday, he was asked specifically for his reaction to players who do not take part in voluntary OTAs.

"It is what it is," said the coach. "We all know what the rules and guidelines are, and that's what they are."

But can a player's position on the team be hurt if he chooses not to participate?

"It is what it is. We don't make the rules."

So there's that.

Minicamp is the last event of the offseason, with the team next reassembling for training camp. The last several weeks have been a time for the Patriots to start installing a good percentage of the playbook in advance of camp.

"Definitely over half, let’s put it that way," Belichick said. "There are a lot of things we don’t do – a lot of situational things and situational plays and some adjustments and things like that.

"But it’s a foundation, it’s a base. Definitely everything we do from here will build on what we’ve done. I think that’s really the important thing, but it’s a pretty good chunk."

As for Tim Tebow, Belichick wasn't willing to offer any observations from his first practice as a Patriot, which was Tuesday (Belichick's press conference Wednesday was held before practice).

When the question came about how Tebow looked, Belichick gave a general answer, saying everyone on the field was trying to get better day by day.

A second attempt at a Tebow question brought this response: "I don’t think evaluating players on a couple plays is really a good practice. We’ll wait until we have a little bit more information and make our evaluations as a staff, talk about players after a chunk of time, after we’ve had a chance to see things.

"Any player you put out there, the first day is a learning experience. As you do it the second, third, fourth time, just like when we all do anything multiple times, we get better at it, hopefully, get more experience, get more comfortable and do it better. I don’t think that’s any different than any football player at any position."

By Ben Volin, Globe Staff

The Patriots continue to search for talent at wide receiver, and held a private workout for former Colts receiver Austin Collie before Tuesday's minicamp practice, a league source told the Globe.

Collie, 27, is trying to get career back on track after suffering a torn patella tendon in his right knee on Sept. 24, ending his 2012 season with just one catch for six yards. Collie was cleared by doctors last week to return to football activities, and left New England without a contract offer. Collie is supposed to work out with two other teams this week before personnel around the league start leaving for summer vacation, and hopes to find a home by the start of training camp in late July.

A 2009 fourth-round pick out of BYU, Collie had 172 catches for 1,839 yards and 16 touchdowns in his first three NFL seasons, all with the Colts. Though he had multiple concussions in 2010, Collie played in all 16 games in 2011 and he has no post-concussion issues, a source said.

By Zuri Berry, Boston.com Staff

The Globe's Shalise Manza Young and I review the first Patriots minicamp practice, which featured the introduction of new quarterback Tim Tebow. We have comments from Tebow and linebacker Brandon Spikes, who joins the team after missing organized team activities.