NFL

Brady says he's cleaned up his mechanics with the help of QBs guru Tom House. "Over the years, I was a little inefficient and I learned how to get away with it," Brady said. "I've been working (on) what's called ground-force production ... Getting the power from the ground, which translates from the ground to your legs, to your hips, to the shoulder, and all the energy is going toward the target." Going on 36, Brady's arm strength isn't quite what it used to be, but it hasn't mattered as he's averaged 4,654 passing yards and a 36:8 TD:INT ratio over his past three seasons. He's locked in as a top-five fantasy QB.

Gronkowski emerged from surgery Monday afternoon. The new plate will continue to hold together the fracture in his left forearm, which was surgically repaired four times because of complications due to the infection. Gronkowski is now expected to undergo back surgery in 3-4 weeks, the recovery timetable for which will last roughly ten weeks. He's still got a good chance to get in some late-training camp time, and be all systems go for Week 1 at Buffalo.

An undrafted free agent, Harrison originally agreed to terms with the Bears but was turned away at rookie minicamp when he failed his physical due to a foot injury. Harrison is talented -- he's 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds with 4.46 wheels -- but he'll have an uphill climb to make the 53-man roster in New England.

Per the Boston Herald, Spikes simply feels working out on his own "is the best way to prepare for the upcoming season," and has "nothing to do" with his contract status. Spikes is in a contract year. So while the division-rival Dolphins have two players upset about money (Reshad Jones, Randy Starks), Spikes' situation is different because he fully intends to rejoin the team on June 11.

Spikes "wasn't seen much" in the early-offseason conditioning phase, and he's not at voluntary OTAs, either. Spikes is entering a contract year, and may be attempting to increase his leverage by staying away from workouts. That usually doesn't work. Expect Spikes to be at the facility on day one of training camp.

They won't know for sure until they study samples taken during Gronkowski's Monday operation. If the samples confirm Gronk is infection-free, doctors will replace the metal plate in his arm. If everything goes to plan ' a big if at this point ' Gronk will then undergo "minor" back surgery in 3-4 weeks. Considering Gronk's recent health history, he should be considered highly questionable for Week 1.

Dr. Jesse Jupiter is expected to perform the procedure, with Patriots team Dr. Thomas Gill on hand. The surgeons will take "cultures" from Gronk's arm. If the cultures come back infection-free, a new plate will replace the one already in Gronkowski's arm and he'll begin a 10-11 week recovery timetable. If the cultures show Gronk's infection has lingered, "it's back to square one" and Gronkowski will likely miss regular season games.