New England Patriots Report

Gronk impresses Welker

July, 26, 2012

7/26/12

5:10

PM ET

By Mike Reiss | ESPNBoston.com

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Rob Gronkowski

Stew Milne/US PresswireRob Gronkowski, right, was back on the field Thursday after offseason surgery on his ankle.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Having recovered from offseason ankle surgery, tight end Rob Gronkowski was a full participant in the Patriots' opening practice of training camp Thursday. At one point, the single-session-record crowd of 12,000 roared when he caught a pass from quarterback Tom Brady.

Turns out spectators weren't alone in being impressed. Receiver Wes Welker was, too.

"He looked good out there, he looks really good. Those young guys heal up pretty good," Welker said, before turning to humor. "You know, I was a little skeptical with the 'Summer of Gronk' and everything."

The "Summer of Gronk" was a reference to Gronkowski's highly publicized offseason activities.

Gronkowski is tentatively scheduled to speak with reporters Friday.

Mike Reiss

Patriots reporter, ESPNBoston.com

Covered Patriots since 1997
Blogging on Pats since 2004
Joined ESPNBoston.com in 2009

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ABOUT THIS BLOG

Mike Reiss

Mike Reiss first started covering the Patriots in 1997 with the team's official newspaper, Patriots Football Weekly, before moving on to the MetroWest Daily News in his hometown of Framingham. From 2005 to 2009, he covered the Patriots for The Boston Globe, while also writing on the NFL. He started his popular Patriots blog in 2004. Send any questions or comments for Mike to his mailbag. Follow him on Twitter (@MikeReiss).

Mike Rodak

Mike Rodak began covering the Patriots for ESPNBoston.com in July 2010. A native of Grafton, Mass., Mike attends Providence College, where he assists the athletic department in game management, facilities, and logistics. Follow him on Twitter (@mikerodak)

Field Yates

Field Yates begins his contributions to ESPNBoston.com in 2012 after having written for a number of football-related sites around the web. Field began his professional career after college with the Kansas City Chiefs, working in both the scouting and coaching departments of the franchise before redirecting his focus to a career in media. He also interned for four summers in the coaching and scouting departments with the Patriots. Follow him on Twitter (@FieldYates).