Video: David Thomas on tight ends

With five tight ends currently on the roster, including a pair of veteran acquisitions during the offseason, David Thomas knows the Patriots will have difficult decisions to make at the position.

For now, Thomas is enjoying the competition.

"We're all out there doing our best to work hard, get better," said Thomas. "We're definitely pushing each other to get better, helping each other when we can. There's a lot of great guys in there, it's been a good competition so far."

A third-round pick in 2006, Thomas missed much of his sophomore campaign due to a foot injury. He bounced back to appear in 15 games last season, catching 9 passes for 93 yards, without a touchdown.

Thomas knows he'll be be challenged by recent additions like Chris Baker and Alex Smith, but he enjoys their presence.

"[Baker and Smith] are good players," said Thomas. "They've been in the league for a good bit and proven themselves. They are really good guys in the locker room and it's good to have them around."

In today's Patriots notebook, Benjamin Watson gave his thoughts on the tight end situation.

"That's something that you learn," he said. "[Coach Bill ] Belichick even says, 'Don't take stuff personally,' although it's hard sometimes because we're all human beings. We all have emotions. You just realize that it's part of the business and guys come in all the time.

"If you look back over the past however many seasons, guys have come and gone at every position. Tight end isn't the only position to ever have new guys come in.

"It's just about doing what I can do, coming in every day and practicing, and then the coaches, they make those personnel decisions. I can't worry about that."

With the departure of Heath Evans, the Patriots do not currently have a pure fullback on the roster, which could potentially add value to the tight end position. Also, recent changes to the wedge rule on kickoff returns could impact how teams utilize tight ends on special teams.

"We'll see how that plays out," said Thomas. "Every team has to deal with. We'll see what the best to go about doing the wedge is. Typically, coaches figure that out and we just do what we're told."