FOXBORO (WBZ-AM) -- Patriots fans can exhale now--for the first time this spring, two of the New England Patriots' best players were finally on the field at Gillette Stadium. Pats QB Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski attended Patriots mini-camp Tuesday, and all eyes were on them.
Fans were concerned after both sat out the Organized Team Activities (OTAs) for two weeks.
At mini-camp, Head Coach Belichick refused to comment on Brady missing the OTAs, saying they were a voluntary program and reporters would have to ask Brady about it. He was asked if he and his star quarterback were in a good place right now.
"I've always had a good relationship with Tom," he said.
He also deflected a question about whether it's good to have his star quarterback back on the field--and whether or not his absence from the OTAs gave other players more of an opportunity to shine.
"It's good to have all the players here, it's always good to work with all the players," he said. "I don't really think it's about who is or isn't anywhere. It's about each of us trying to make the most of our opportunities every day to get ready for the season."
Gronk told reporters he is back and ready to go. He said he feels he made the right decision to train on his own and skip the voluntary OTAs.
"I had to do what I had to do," he said. "Where I felt good enough to get my body right again, see where my body was at, see where my mind was at. I'm glad to be back out here and feel like I definitely made the right decision coming back out."
He said he thought hard about retiring in the off-season, but ultimately made the decision to stay with the Patriots. He admitted he was nervous to come back and compete at mini-camp.
"Whenever I step on the field for the first time, you always get those jitters," he said.
He was also asked about his relationship with Belichick.
"It's good, everything's good," he said. "You know, it just felt good to be back on the field, that's what matters most."
The coach wouldn't comment on contract talks with Rob Gronkowski--but he did have a lot to say about twins Devin and Jason McCourty on the team.
"It's hard to tell them apart," he said. "Got to take a second look. They're both great workers. I enjoy having both of them around. Just have to look a little closer to make sure I'm talking to the right one if they're not in uniform."
Belichick also refused questions about the Philadelphia Eagles' White House visit debacle.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports