New England Patriots

Although this is the first week Tom Brady and Danny Amendola have been on the field together during official workouts, the quarterback and one of his newest receivers began getting acquainted in early April.

Robert Kraft is used to rooting against John Mara in February.

FOXBORO — The man behind Rob Gronkowski’s $54 million contract extension still feels comfortable with his investment.Patriots owner Robert Kraft said yesterday the initial word remains positive in regard to the tight end’s fourth arm surgery. Of course, a source told the Herald on Monday that 12 cultures and frozen tissue samples were taken to definitively determine if his infection has cleared, and those results will come back within the week. But the doctors at least felt confident enough to carry on with the procedure and insert a new plate.

FOXBORO — Now that the ink is dry and the contracts are buried in a filing cabinet somewhere less important than where they house the playbooks, the real work can begin on the Patriots’ revitalized secondary.The Pats succeeded in efforts to retain their free agent defensive backs, and they even added some pieces along the way. As a result, the top of their depth chart is nearly locked in, but there will be some intriguing battles for jobs.

FOXBORO — At one point yesterday, when Tom Brady was working out separately with wide receivers Danny Amendola and Michael Jenkins, Amendola went in motion behind the Patriots quarterback, zipped across the middle on a quick slant and was hit in the hands with a bullet of a pass.“Perfect, Danny!” offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels shouted in praise.

Bob Kraft stood in a bright sun yesterday on the patio of the Hyatt Harborside Hotel near Logan Airport with the gleaming Boston skyline in the background. When it comes to hosting a Super Bowl, that’s where that skyline will remain for some time — in the background.

Wide receiver T.J. Moe was an undrafted free agent out of Mizzou. (AP) The Patriots spent more guaranteed money on their undrafted free agents this year than any other team in the league, according to Brian McIntyre of Yahoo! Sports and NFL.com. According to McIntyre, the Patriots apparently spent $140,000 in guaranteed money on their undrafted free agents. Wide receiver T.J. Moe (who had several other suitors) got the biggest payday, as the Mizzou product received a signing bonus of $8,000 and $22,000 in guaranteed base salary (regardless of whether or not he makes the final 53-man roster) for a total of $30,000 in guaranteed money. In addition, according to McIntyre, several other UDFA’s also got sizable paydays. Nevada tight end Zach Sudfeld has a total of $17,000 in guaranteed money ($12,000 signing bonus and $5,000 base salary). Offensive tackle Elvis Fisher of Missouri got $15,000 in guaranteed money, while Kent State guard Josh Kline ($14,000), Tennessee fullback Ben Bartholomew ($10,000) and safety Kanorris Davis of Troy ($10,000) also got at least $10,000. NFL teams are allowed to spend a maximum of $78,170 in signing bonuses on undrafted rookie free agents this offseason, but there are no limits to the amount of guaranteed money teams can include in deals signed by undrafted free agents. Of course, big dollars for UDFA’s is nothing new for the Patriots. Last summer, they outbid several teams for the services of running back/return man Jeff Demps, guaranteeing him a whopping $211,000 ($200,000 base salary guarantee, $11,000 signing bonus), regardless of whether or not he made the final roster. Of course, Demps ended up spending the entire year on IR before wanting to play football part-time while also running track, so while a sizable payday for a UDFA is nice (and tells you something how that player may be regarded around the league), it’s no guarantee of future success.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft is cautiously optimistic that the infection in Rob Gronkowski’s left forearm has finally cleared and that Monday’s surgery (his fourth) will be the last on the big tight end’s arm.

Shalise Manza Young and Zuri Berry give an overview after the second day of Patriots OTAs. Also, an interview with Danny Amendola.

Wide receiver Danny Amendola might be expected to pick up where Wes Welker left off for the New England Patriots, but Amendola isn't concerning himself with comparisons to Welker.