Rob Gronkowski isn't sure if he will be ready for the start of the 2014 season as he recovers from a torn ACL.

"Oh man, that's too far away. I'm just improving every day right now," Gronkowski said Tuesday on the "Hill-Man Show" on WAAF-FM. "I'm working hard every day to put myself in the best situation so that I'm ready."

Gronkowski had surgery on Jan. 9, with the procedure performed by Dr. James Andrews. 

The Detroit Lions are meeting with Marqise Lee, the seventh team to meet with the USC receiver.

The Lions own the highest pick at No. 10 that Lee has met with.

Lee also has visited with the Baltimore Ravens (17th pick), New York Jets (18th pick), Miami Dolphins (19th pick), New Orleans Saints (27th pick), Carolina Panthers (28th pick) and New England Patriots (29th pick).

Bill Belichick ran the Nashville half marathon on Saturday with his fiancee Linda Holliday.

Belichick was born in Nashville.

Belichick finished his 13.1 miles in 2:36.46 for an average pace of 11:58.

The New England Patriots have exercised the fifth-year option on the contract of left tackle Nate Solder.

The current projection for his pay is $7.438 million.

Solder has become one of the NFL's elite left tackles.

Exercising the option does not preclude the Patriots from initiating long-term extension talks with Solder, and the 2015 salary is currently guaranteed for injury only.

The 2014 NFL schedule will begin with the Green Bay Packers playing at the Seattle Seahawks in a Thursday night game in Week 1.

The Sunday night game in Week 1 will feature the Indianapolis Colts at the Denver Broncos.

The Seahawks will play at the San Francisco 49ers in the Week 13/Thanksgiving night game. The two teams meet again in Week 15 on Dec. 14.

The New England Patriots have frequently been one of the most active teams on draft day, trading down to collect extra picks.

The Patriots traded down from No. 29 last season with the Minnesota Vikings and collected four picks as the price.

The Patriots appear to be in go-for-it mode with Tom Brady aging out of his prime.

Belichick has moved out of the first round to acquire more value twice in the last five years (2013 and ’09), and three times if you count 2011, when the Pats traded their second of two first-round picks to the New Orleans Saints.

The Patriots have moved up in the first round four times (Chandler Jones, Dont'a Hightower, Ty Warren, Daniel Graham).

The New England Patriots remain the favorites to eventually sign Will Smith.

Smith seems to be willing to accept a one-year deal in pursuit of another title.

Smith hasn't had more than 6.5 sacks in any given seasons since recording 13 in 2009.

The Oakland Raiders and New England Patriots met with Zach Mettenberger ahead of his Pro Day on Wednesday.

Mettenberger is still recovering from a torn ACL.

The New England Patriots have signed Patrick Chung.

Chung returns to the Patriots after one season with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Chung is being signed as depth and competition at safety and won't be anointed the starter.

Johnny Manziel was spotted in the Boston area on Tuesday as he's scheduled to visit with the New England Patriots on Wednesday.

Manziel is widely expected to be a first round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.

The Patriots have Ryan Mallet as Tom Brady's backup at quarterback.

New England has also met with Blake Bortles and will also meet with Teddy Bridgewater on Wednesday.