FOXBORO — For the Patriots, this training camp has been all about big names: Ochocinco! Albert! Mankins! Brady!

But very quietly, Wes Welker and Deion Branch have provided some of the most consistent and superior efforts since training camp began. Both have not missed a practice this summer, and while neither has offered much in the way of flashy performances, they continue to serve as the very epitome of steady, veteran pass-catchers. 

Last season, Brady completed 324 passes over the course of the regular season, and the Welker/Branch duo combined for 134 of those catches, or 41 percent of Brady’s total receptions — despite the fact that Branch played only 11 games in New England. And while neither is particular fast by NFL standards, this summer has been a reminder that smarts, quickness and route-running ability allow them to thrive in the New England system.

In 11-on-11 work on Monday, Welker twice used his quickness to beat pro Bowl cornerback Devin McCourty, and later made Kyle Arrington look foolish. Meanwhile, drops from Branch this summer have occurred with Haley’s Comet frequency. In addition, he isn’t averse to flashing some speed and hops from time to time — on Monday, he had a sweet hookup in the back of the end zone over Leigh Bodden toward the end of practice, the sort of play that comes after hundreds of hours of repetition between quarterback and receiver.

On Monday, Welker was singled out by Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio as someone who is having a “really strong camp to this point.”

“His track record speaks for itself,” director of player personnel Nick Caserio said of Welker. “He always competes, he always works hard. It looks like his quickness level, he’s regained some of that, relative to where he was. But Wes works hard, and he’s been a productive player, he looks confident. And, he just sorta catches your eye a little bit. He’s done some things that look real good.”

Welker averaged 115 catches a season from 2007-2009. However, he saw a slight dip in his production last season, as he caught 86 balls after coming off a horrific left-knee injury at the end of the 2009 season.

But Welker said Monday afternoon this is “the best I’ve felt in a long time,” and appears primed for another 100-catch season.

“I feel great,” Welker said. “I feel like I’ve gained a step from two years ago. This is the best I’ve felt in a long time, and I just want to continue to play well and continue to get better and do the things that help the team win.

“I think my knowledge of the game and being able to be healthy it’s really helped. Hopefully, it will keep on improving and keep on getting better as the year goes on.”

Welker, who is in the final year of his contract, said he’s not playing with one eye on the future.

“I’m not really worried about that at all,” he said. “I’m just worried about going out there and playing ball and I love playing on this team and I enjoy day that I’m out there and I’m going to let my play take care of everything else.”

As for Branch, the 32-year-old said Monday he feels like he’s 22.

“I’m feeling good,” Branch said with a smile after practice on Monday. “I’m feeling good. I’m feeling really good. Glad to have the opportunity to get a training camp in. I think that’s what’s important — to be out here and running around with Tom. It would have been better if we had an offseason, but I think everybody is happy.”

Branch was drafted out of Louisville by the Patriots in 2002, and developed an extraordinary chemistry with Brady in his first four seasons in New England before being traded to Seattle in 2006. But despite the fact that Branch returned to the Patriots’ system last October for the first time in five years, the wide receiver says he now feels more comfortable heading into a regular season with a full training camp.

“Last year, I’d say the first three or four games, the coaches were a little sensitive with certain play calls when I was in the game, versus now, it’s a lot different. Now, it’s a free-for-all. You can pretty much call anything you want to call now,” Branch said. “[But] it was hard. They wanted to get me on the football field, but we couldn’t call the plays we really wanted to call due to me not being here in the offseason, training camp, just getting in the game plan and just going from there.”

The two veteran receivers have not only done their due diligence when it comes to getting their own work in this summer, they’ve also served as an unofficial support system for newcomer Chad Ochocinco. Ochocinco lauded them — as well as quarterback Tom Brady — for getting him up-to-speed as soon as possible in the New England system.

“He’s been good. He’s been good — I think you all can see that,” Branch said of Ochocinco. “It’s going good. He’s still got a lot of room to learn, a lot of room, and me and Wes and Tom are there to help him. Every minute we get we try and help him learn certain things, always reiterating certain plays with him. Routes and all — signals. Everything.”