FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Bill Belichick arrived for his morning news conference, looked to the back of the room where 15 television cameras were lined up, then scanned the 80-plus credentialed members of the media.

He smiled briefly, perhaps noticing some familiar faces from New York from his Giants and Jets days, knowing exactly why everyone was packed into the press box at Gillette Stadium for a June minicamp; yes, a June minicamp.

It was all about Tim Tebow, Tebow-mania, the third-string quarterback who produces headlines like no other.

Working with Tom Brady is one of several ways being with the Patriots will be different from Tim Tebow's previous NFL stops. Stew Milne/USA TODAY Sports

One could almost see the amusement in Belichick's expression at that moment, and his response was as predictable as can be. He delivered a verbal stiff-arm to those in the room, not once mentioning Tebow in his opening remarks, instead talking about the team entering its fourth week of on-field practices this offseason … how it would be good to practice Tuesday on a wet field … that schemes were installed … how the club was better positioned to return in late July for training camp …

It was almost as if he was saying, "Tim who?"

But, of course, he knew what was coming next -- 14 straight Tebow questions that he swatted away with one-sentence answers before saying, "I think we've already talked enough about him. I think we've covered it. Anything else?"

If anyone was curious how the power of Tebow would fare against the power of Patriot, this was a preview.

With these two powerful forces aligning, this marked one of the most atypical days in Belichick's 14-year Patriots tenure. Local television stations broadcast live from outside the stadium, ESPN had on-the-scene reports, and CNN aired Belichick's news conference live. All for Tebow, a player who might not be on the final roster in early September when the games start to count for real.

As expected, the coach did his best to extinguish the circus, which climaxed when Tebow walked toward a scrum of reporters after practice around 1 p.m. ET -- media members jostling for position in a way that might have had Ed Hochuli throwing a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness -- and delivered a statement without answering questions.

"First and foremost, I just want to thank the Patriots for giving me an opportunity," Tebow began. "I'm very thankful. It's such an honor to be a Patriot and play for coach [Bill] Belichick and for coach [Josh] McDaniels, and learn under Tom [Brady] and be a part of this great franchise and very successful franchise. I found that out firsthand; lost to them several times.

"It's going to be a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to working hard every single day and getting a lot better and learning under some great people.