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Patriots players in lock-step on Hernandez

Brandon Spikes

New England Patriots middle linebacker Brandon Spikes faces reporters in the team’s locker room at Gillette Stadium following NFL football practice in Foxborough, Mass., Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. The Patriots host the Houston Texans on Sunday in ab AFC divisional playoff game. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

AP

The Patriots have figured out a way for their players to “move on” from the Aaron Hernandez conversation.

They’ve told them not to talk about it.

Players said after practice they’ve been instructed to steer clear of the whole former-teammate-involved-in-murder-case conversation.

Two of Hernandez’s college and pro teammates alluded to the gag order Friday morning.

Quarterback Tim Tebow called it “heartbreaking” and “sad” but added “we’ve been advised not to talk about it,” according to Albert Breer of the NFL Network.

Likewise, linebacker Brandon Spikes said (via Tom Curran of CSNNE.com), “I can’t even comment. I want to but I can’t.”

They’re simply following the lead of their quarterback, who did his best to avoid the topic earlier this week.

So while debating the merits of Tebow or breaking down rookie wide receivers might become more important later, the clear MVP of Patriots camp so far is team spokesman Stacey James, who has them all on message.