Tom Brady

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady joined Dennis & Callahan on Thursday morning to talk about the Patriots’ offseason moves as OTAs begin as well as promote next weekend’s Best Buddies charity event.

The biggest changes on the roster have come at wide receiver.

“There’s quite a few new guys on the roster, certainly at the receiver position, almost the entire group,” Brady said. “So, as many days of practice as we can get, as many opportunities that we can have to actually get out there and throw the ball together in a competitive environment, I think that’s where the improvement comes. We’ve only had two days of practice.

“It’s a very competitive position. I think there’s a lot of positions that are very competitive on our team. I’m excited to see — at this point, the work that we’ve put in, how well it’s paid off.”

The most heralded new receiver is former Ram Danny Amendola, who worked out with Brady in Los Angeles recently.

“Danny, he’s always had a lot of talent,” Brady said. “To watch him out there and play against him — when he was at the Rams he was very productive. It’s been fun to work with him. He’s got the tenacity to him and the drive and the determination and the work ethic. In a short period of time, it’s really easy to see. Like I said, he’s one of those guys where the more we throw, the better we’re going to be. So, we’re trying to always kind of talk and communicate through practice, through OTAs. We threw in the spring a lot, and hopefully as the summer continues leading up to training camp, we’ll get as many reps as we can together so we’re on the same page.”

Amendola has drawn comparisons to departed free agent Wes Welker.

“They’re [at] similar positions, they’re about the same height, they’ve both got very good ability,” Brady said. “Wes was so productive for so long. I think it’s unfair to compare anyone to Wes and what he was able to accomplish in his time here. Danny, he’s just been fun to work with. I think he’s come in really with an open mind and understanding of the way that we as Patriots, the way we need to play.

“Josh [McDaniels] is trying to get everyone on our entire offense up to speed with how we’re going to play offense this year, how we’re going to try to be more consistent than we’ve been the last few years. Danny’s really taken to that; all the receivers have. And all the receivers have really had, like I said, a willingness to come in and work and listen and try to get better.”

Asked his reaction to Welker’s departure, Brady said he understands the business of the league.

“I don’t think anything surprises me any more in the NFL,” he said. “I’ve been around long enough to see things happen at different times with the greatest players of all, whether that’s Wes, or Randy Moss being traded from the Raiders, or Brett Favre playing for the Jets and the Vikings. That’s what happens. Like I said, it’s a very tough, competitive business.

“Nobody appreciated Wes more than I did and what he was able to accomplish for our team. But he’s moved on. He’s in a good situation with another great team and a great quarterback. We’ve always kind of kept in touch, we always will. He’s one of my best friends. I certainly wish him the best.”

Brady has not publicly voiced any displeasure toward management about Welker’s departure, and he explained that there’s a reason for that.

“Of course I have feelings. But those feelings are very personal to me,” he said. “I used to get caught up in anger and frustration and disappointment. But I don’t make the decisions. These things aren’t up to me. At some point you’ve got to realize the things that are out of your control. You’ve just got to let go and focus on my job and what I need to do. Because the game moves on, the team moves on. There’s only so long you can dwell on the past. At some point you’ve got to move forward.

“Like I said, my job for my team is to be the best quarterback, and not the general manager and not the coach and not the owner. It’s to try to go out there and bring my own competitiveness to the field so that those guys that I’m playing with this year can really rely on me and count on me to be the best I can be.”

MORE TO COME

The Patriots made some moves on their offensive line on Wednesday, claiming tackle Kevin Haslam off waivers from the Chargers and releasing R.J. Mattes.

The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Haslam played collegiately at Rutgers, and started three games at left tackle for San Diego down the stretch of the 2012 regular season. He also spent part of the 2010 season with the Jaguars.

Mattes was a rookie free agent signed earlier this month. The 23-year-old was a four-year starter at both guard and tackle at North Carolina State. The 6-foot-6, 313-pounder was named a second-team All-ACC as a senior in 2012.

For more Patriots coverage, check out weei.com/patriots.

Bill Belichick

According to Forbes, Bill Belichick is no longer the highest-paid coach in America.

The magazine says that Saints coach Sean Payton has surpassed the Patriots coach with a salary that will pay him roughly $8 million annually for the next five years. Belichick, who reportedly makes $7.5 million a year, is tied for second on the list with new Chiefs coach Andy Reid.

The length and amount of Belichick’s contract has always been a closely guarded secret. When he’s been asked about his employment situation, he’s revealed little.

“I don’t talk about contracts, but I would say I like working here, I like the organization — ownership, coaches, scouts, players, and the guys I work with,” Belichick said in July 2007. “I appreciate the opportunity to work here, and it’s a good situation. I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”

The only thing we really know for sure is that Belichick is locked in for 2013. The day after the Patriots lost to the Ravens in the 2012 AFC title game, he said he’ll be back for this season, saying, “I’ll be here. You’ll have to deal with me again next year. I know that’s disappointing for a lot of you. Until I’m told otherwise, I plan on being here.”

When it comes to breaking down Belichick’s contractual situation, Forbes writes: “Belichick is arguably the NFL’s best tactician, evidenced by the fact that the Patriots have won 72.6% of their games and made five trips to the Super Bowl since he took over in 2000. Sean Payton’s new contract brings an end to Belichick’s two-year reign as the highest-paid coach in American sports and his three-year run as highest-paid in the NFL.”

Belichick has been a fairly regular presence on the Forbes list. In 2010, Belichick was second to then-Lakers coach Phil Jackson. But after Jackson retired followed that year, Belichick moved into the top spot at $7.5 million, and spent 2011 and 2012 in the top spot.

The list also has some other New England ties: former Patriots coach Pete Carroll, who now runs the Seahawks, makes $7 million annually. Celtics coach Doc Rivers also makes $7 million a year, according to Forbes. And Chip Kelly — the new Eagles coach by way of the University of New Hampshire and Oregon — reportedly has an annual salary of $6.5 million.

For the complete story and the list, click here.

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