The Facts: Ballard's recovery from knee surgery is coming along nicely, and there have been no setbacks, thus putting him closer to competing for a spot on the Patriots' crowded tight end depth chart in 2013.

Diehards Line:Ballard, another quality tight end who was claimed away from the Giants, should be ready to play this season after missing all of 2012 because of a knee injury. Worth noting: Ballard doesn't qualify for unrestricted free agency until after the 2014 season. Knowing they had 2013 and 2014 to essentially control Ballard's rights had to be a positive factor that led the Patriots to claim him last June. Ballard is on the books for a "modest" $630,000 base salary in 2013, and the Patriots paid him $540,000 to rehab last year on injured reserve. It's a limited financial risk for a potentially nice reward. ... Ballard won't be on the Fantasy radar come draft time, but there are those who believe his presence will allow Aaron Hernandez to line up at wideout more often going forward.