New England Patriots

Wearing a grey suit, no tie and sporting a full head of hair that for the first time since 2006 will not be under a Patriots helmet when the NFL kicks off in the fall, Wes Welker signed autographs and took questions from reporters and fans alike last night at the Capital Grille on Boylston Street.

Trey Wingo, Mark Schlereth and Jason Taylor of ESPN’s “NFL Live” discuss the potential impact of the recent series of offseason distractions involving key players like Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez might have on the Patriots.

The investigation into a man’s death a mile from Hernandez’s home is still ongoing.  New information has been provided. Odin Lloyd, 27, was found dead Monday evening close to a vehicle that was rented to Aaron Hernandez. ABC News say a source claimed the man was shot.  He was found a mile away from Hernandez’s home. Police said today that Lloyd was dating the sister of Hernandez’s girlfriend, and that authorities are trying to reach that woman because they are concerned about her safety.

Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez is in the middle of a police investigation involving the death of man a mile away from his house. While that is going on, now there is a civil lawsuit alleging he shot a Connecticut man in the face in February, according to court records. New York attorney David Jaroslawicz told ESPN’s Ed Werder that he represents Alexander S. Bradley, the man who said Hernandez shot him while the two had an argument when leaving a Miami nightclub. Jaroslawicz said he filed a personal-injury lawsuit on behalf of his client but that the suit was withdrawn because of an inaccuracy. Jaroslawicz claims his client and Hernandez have been friends for several years. Jaroslawicz claims Bradley spent several weeks being treated at a hospital and has endured several operations with even more necessary to repair damage from the gunshot wound. The original lawsuit alleged that Hernandez shot Bradley in the face but the refiling contends that Bradley was shot in the arm but the bullet traveled into his head and caused damage there, including the loss of his right eye. According to the suit, the two had an argument in a strip club and later, in the car, Hernandez pointed a gun at Bradley, and the gun went off and Bradley was hit. When asked if his client had a police report of the incident, Jaroslawicz declined to provide information. According to USA Today, his client was in the hospital for weeks and, “I’m sure the police were there.”

The NFL live crew considers whether offseason distractions like Aaron Hernandez's developing situation can have any impact on the Patriots' regular-season preparation and performance.

Embroiled in the investigation of the shooting death of a man near his Massachusetts home this week, New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez also is the subject of a civil lawsuit alleging he shot a Connecticut man in February, according to court records. Odin Lloyd, 27, was found dead Monday evening about a mile from Hernandez's sprawling house in an upscale subdivision in North Attleborough, Mass. Lloyd was shot, sources told ABC News.

Wes Welker speaks with the media Wednesday night. (WEEI.com photo) CHESTNUT HILL — Wes Welker said he didn’t have any regrets about his departure from the Patriots, but did acknowledge there were some melancholy feelings when he returned to New England for an event Wednesday. The wide receiver was in town as part of an event involving noted hair restoration expert Dr. Robert Leonard, who recently gave an assist to the follicly-challenged Welker. Talking with reporters, Welker said that he didn’t regret leaving the Patriots for the Broncos as a free agent in March, and added that there were no hard feelings between him and the franchise. “Never any regrets. I think you go out there and play your game and you don’t really look back. In decisions and the way I play, I never want to have any regrets. So I never look back like that,” he said. The 32-year-old Welker, who arrived in New England via a trade with the Dolphins prior to the start of the 2007 season, became the first receiver in NFL history in 2012 with at least five seasons of 100 or more receptions. Overall, in six seasons with the Patriots, he caught 672 passes for 7,459 yards and 37 touchdowns. However, in the days after Welker signed a new deal with Denver, there was a lot of debate about which contract was better, as representatives for the wide receiver disputed the claims put forth by New England and owner Robert Kraft. But Welker, who surpassed 100 catches in five of his six seasons in New England, said Wednesday he doesn’t feel underappreciated for what he did with the Patriots, “Unfortunately, it’s the business side of football,” he shrugged. “As a player, you don’t like [it], but you understand it. You just move on and look toward the future.” Welker did confess to being “a little sad” being in the area on Wednesday while recalling some of the good times. “Just because you had so many years here and it was such a great time and everything else. But you try and think about it too much and go on to the future and just hope for the best,” he said. “It’s been great. I was walking around Boston and people were coming up and [saying], ‘Thank you for everything’ and stuff like that,” he added. “It’s been really cool to come back and see that. I was afraid maybe they might throw stones at me or something. They’ve been more than great to me. It’s been great to be able to come back.” Welker was reticent to compare the environments in New England and Denver, saying both are “very competitive atmospheres. It’s all very tough. It’s hard to compare each other or find the differences or anything else.” “It’s all the NFL,” he said. You just have to roll with whatever is there. I feel like I’m in a good situation, and I’m excited about it.” In making the transition from the Patriots to the Broncos, Welker has the chance to go from one Hall of Fame quarterback to another in Tom Brady to Peyton Manning. One of the reasons Welker was so successful in New England was because of his chemistry with Brady. Welker said Wednesday he and Brady remain “very close,” and added that they still talk “every once and awhile.” But Welker added that in the short time he’s been in Denver, it’s easy why the two quarterbacks have been as successful as they have over the course of their respective careers. “They’re both professionals,” he said. “It’s obvious that they’re the best in the game and you get to see why they are the best — the way they study, the way they prepare and get ready. It speaks volumes as to why they are successful.” Welker will get another chance to return to New England on Nov. 24 when the Patriots host the Broncos at Gillette. “You have the whole season in front of you, so you’re always working towards trying to be at your best,” he said. “You definitely want to play your best at certain times — especially on Sundays — and I look forward to coming back and playing. “I’ve enjoyed my time in Denver so far, and I’m really looking forward to the team we h

BROOKLINE, Mass. -- Making his first appearance in Boston since signing with the Denver Broncos as a free agent this offseason, former Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker said on Wednesday evening that it's great to return to the place he played for six seasons and has been met with a warm reception. "It's been great," Welker said at an event promoting his hair transplant by local doctor Robert Leonard. "It was really cool, I was walking around Boston and people have been walking up and just been thankful for everything and stuff like that.

Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports I have always been adamant that Tim Tebow has what it takes to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. I still believe that with all my heart. The guy is simply a natural-born leader who knows how to help whatever team he’s on win — you know, provided said team actually gives him some playing time. Now he may find himself leading from the tight end position. Since being signed by the New England Patriots just over a week ago, many people, myself included, have discussed the fact that playing for new head coach Bill Belichick is the best thing that could’ve happened to Tebow. And while I think the 25-year-old is capable of backing up obvious starting quarterback Tom Brady before taking over as New England’s regular signal caller in a few years, it may be best for him to see some snaps at tight end, especially after the back surgery that has left two-time All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski‘s status for the upcoming season in doubt and the recent legal issues for the team’s other talented tight end, Aaron Hernandez. Ironically enough, should Tebow get the chance to prove himself at another position, he could very well unseat former college teammate Hernandez, who was one of his favorite targets with the Florida Gators. I’m not saying Tebow will remain a tight end for the rest of his career — although he certainly has the intangibles — but should Gronk and/or Hernandez miss some time due to their current situations, he could step in and become the Patriots’ latest project. And wouldn’t that be fun? Josh McKinney is a writer for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @SuperJMac32, “Like”  him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans gave Michael Griffin a big contract extension a year ago. Now they hope they've given him enough help so that he plays like a Pro Bowl safety once again.The Titans shuffled Griffin back and forth between the safety positions last season, and he tied for the team lead with four interceptions. But the defense was one of the worst in the NFL, and Griffin struggled shifting between jobs.So Tennessee signed veterans Bernard Pollard and George Wilson this offseason to make sure Griffin only has to worry about playing free safety.