Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez and his contract will be the center of attention as the Patriots report for training camp today with the first practice set for Saturday. (AP photo)

Is it THAT time already?

Yes, New England Patriots fans, many of you on Saturday may be heading down to Gillette Stadium for the first training camp practice of the year or know people who are.

It’s been an eventful off-season, beginning with the release of Stefon Diggs – we think we’re discovering why – then subsequent free agent signings. Then everything detoured to the Mike Vrabel-Diana Rossini scandal, then the draft, and finally, in early June, the long awaited and expected trade for receiver A.J. Brown. As of this writing, the main topic has been the contract of cornerback Christian Gonzalez, eligible for an extension.

Veterans will all report today for their physicals, etc. So here we go, a bunch of questions you may have that we’ll try to answer as best we can:

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST TOPIC OF CAMP?

Well, as of this writing, it’s the contract issue for Gonzalez. He is arguably the team’s best defensive player, maybe sharing that honor with defensive lineman Milton Williams. Every star’s contract seems to set a new high for the position, so it will be interesting to see if the Patriots want to make, as of this writing, Gonzalez the highet paid cornerback ever, for as long as that will last. Word is Gonzalez is content to wait and see what Seattle’s Devon Witherspoon gets.

The Rams’ Trent McDuffie recently became numero uno with a a four-year, $124 million extension ($100 M guaranteed) and an average annual value (that all-important aav) of $31 million. Does owner Robert Kraft have it in him? Fans will revolt if he doesn’t. But we’ll tell you this: If he’s smart, Gonzalez will do a “hold-in” to avoid injury until the deal is done.

WHO IS A KEY ROOKIE TO WATCH?

Obviously, all eyes will be on top pick Caleb Lomu, and where he’s used, whether it be right tackle or left tackle, etc. But we’ll say former TCU linebacker Namdi Obiazor, who despite his sixth round status could help out on the edge, depending on the status of the still unsigned second round pick Gabe Jacas, said to be recovering from a knee procedure. Just a hunch.

WHAT VETERAN MAY BE IN THE CRITICAL SPOTLIGHT, OTHER THAN DRAKE MAYE?

We say it will be left tackle Will Campbell. Campbell had a horrible Super Bowl, and his entire postseason wasn’t great – many think he shouldn’t be at tackle to begin with and is better suited at guard. But Campbell held his own until he suffered a torn miniscus and likely came back way too soon, and probably, in this scribe’s opinion, shouldn’t have played. But if he has a tough camp, watch out, he’ll get attention he doesn’t want.

WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS FOR DRAKE MAYE?

Maye had a lousy postseason, too, and again we say it was all about his shoulder injury, plus Campbell’s and the offensive line woes. But the expectations are, that now with Brown here, that Maye should be as good as or even better than he was during last year’s regular season, before whatever shoulder problem he had rose up.

WHO COULD BE A FAN FAVORITE AT CAMP?

It’s got to be A.J. Brown. Every deep ball he grabs are going to electrify the camp crowd, because everyone will be watching to see the chemistry he has with Maye. While Campbell will be in the critical spotlight, Brown should be in the fun spotlight. If he moves to the other kind, uh-oh. But he probably won’t as Maye is an easy QB to establish a rapport with.

WHAT FAMILIAR NAME MIGHT NOT SURIVIVE CUTDOWN DAY?

Obviously tough to say now, but unless he’s traded before the start of camp, we’d say Keyshon Boutte. Injuries of course will be a key, but if Boutte stays, perhaps Pop Douglas goes? Tough to tell. It’s tough to cut linemen because depth is always an issue, like with pitching in baseball.

WILL THE PATRIOTS HAVE ANY JOINT PRACTICES?

They sure will. Their first preseason game is Thursday, Aug. 13 vs. the Colts at Gillette Stadium and they’ll be having a joint practice with Indianapolis that week on Tuesday, Aug. 11. Also, they’ll have two joint practices with the Eagles on Wednesday, Aug. 19 and Thursday, Aug. 20. That’s before the second preseason game which is Saturday, August 22.

ANY CHANCE THE PATRIOTS TRY TO BRING STEFON DIGGS BACK?

We doubt it. Diggs has multiple legal woes, it seems, and he got the boot because the Patriots were putting their eggs (with dollars inside) in the A.J. Brown basket. They’d have to have a rash of injuries for that to happen.

WHAT INJURY HAVE THE PATRIOTS ALREADY SUFFERED THAT HAS HURT THEM?

Not many were too concerned, but the Patriots signed tight end Julian Hill to a three-year, $15 million contract for a reason, as he would have been a superior blocker for them in the physical type of offense – two tight end sets, run blocking – they were ready to promote after getting beaten up by the Seahawks in the Super Bowl. He got hurt in OTAs.

FINALLY, ARE ALL PRACTICES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?

Actually, this year, no. There are three walkthroughs: Wednesday, Aug. 5, Sunday, Aug. 16 and Tueday, Aug. 18 that are open to media but closed to the public. Also, three regular practices on Thursday, Aug. 6; Monday, Aug. 10 and Monday, Aug. 17 are closed to the public. There is also one that’s open only to season ticket holders – something the Patriots do every year – on Saturday, Aug. 15.

Remember, the public practices as well as parking for them are free. To get updates on the practice schedule, visit www.patriots.com/trainingcamp or call the camp hotline at 508-549-0001.

Tom King may be reached at @Telegraph_TomK on twitter, or tking@nashuatelegraph.com