FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Patriots owner Robert Kraft recently spent time with recovering receiver Wes Welker and he liked what he saw.
“He’s going to be back there, I have confidence in that,” Kraft said Sunday at the Science of Sports Science Fair at Gillette Stadium. “I happened to see him a week and a half ago, and he looks great. We think everything should be fine there.”
Kraft joked that Welker is "the true Patriot missile."
Kraft also touched on one of the lingering contract-related issues facing the team, with offensive lineman Logan Mankins.
Mankins, a two-time Pro Bowler, has been staying away from voluntary workouts because of displeasure with the pace of dialogue regarding a contract extension.
“Our people are working on that,” Kraft said. “I really hope Logan will be with us for the long-term. That’s our objective.”
A few other quick hits from Kraft:
More on Science of Sports Science Fair. Kraft was excited about the event being held at Gillette, as he was a judge along with offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer and Raytheon Company Chairman and CEO William H. Swanson. Both Kraft and Swanson stressed the role of science and math in sports. “We hope we can spark some of these young people here,” Kraft said.
Football thoughts this offseason. Kraft was asked what excites him about the Patriots at this time, and what concerns him. Kraft said the 2009 draft class of 12, with every player still on the roster, is something that excites him. When combining this year’s 12-member draft class, and some of the other additions, he thinks the Patriots “are going to have a very fun season.” As for concerns, he said the biggest thing is keeping everyone healthy.
Impressions of this year’s rookie class. “It seems to be a passionate group that cares about football,” Kraft said of the team’s 2010 draft picks. “I like that five out of the 12 were captains. We’re looking for leadership in that locker room.”
Deflecting a question on the Jets. Kraft was asked his thoughts about the hype that has surrounded the New York Jets and some of their big-name acquisitions this offseason. “We never try to comment on what other people are doing,” he replied. “We have all we can do to look out for our own selves. So good luck to them and we hope we’re on top the two times we play them.”