FOXBOROUGH — Bill Belichick has no problem breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of a player during a news conference. But as veteran safety Devin McCourty knows, the Patriots coach doesn’t often get effusive with his praise.

“There aren’t too many pats on the back around here for doing your job,’’ McCourty said after Wednesday’s practice. “So when it does happen, you smile. You might want to smile at him a little bit more so he does it again, but you’ve just got to keep trying to make those plays, and hopefully he keeps talking good about you.’’

Usually at this time of year, Belichick’s responses include some variation of “He’s still got a long way to go, as do the rest of us.’’ He is known for lavishing praise on his opponents each week during the regular season — sometimes out of genuine affection for a player, sometimes as a means of buttering up — but he generally doesn’t do it with his own players, for fear it might give them a big head.

Which is what made the tenor of Belichick’s news conference before Wednesday’s practice so unusual.

The often-grumpy coach was unusually sunny, offering high praise to several players — mostly youngsters fighting for roster spots.

It began unexpectedly when Belichick was asked about undrafted rookie tight end Bryce Williams. Unprompted, Belichick praised the entire tight end group, which includes Rob Gronkowski, Martellus Bennett, A.J. Derby, Bear Pascoe, Steven Scheu, Williams, and the injured Clay Harbor.

“It’s been probably as good of a tight end situation, overall from top to bottom, as we’ve ever had here,’’ Belichick said.

That’s no small statement from Belichick. Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez were a pretty dynamic duo, combining for 2,237 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2011. But Gronkowski and Bennett offer hope of similar production this season, and Derby, Williams, and Scheu have been impressive in their first week of camp — particularly Derby, who looks comfortable after missing most of his rookie season on injured reserve and could make Harbor expendable.

“I think we’re doing well, but there’s so much growth for us to do,’’ Bennett said. “I don’t think we’re anywhere near where we want to be. I think that’s the most exciting thing for us in our tight end room, that we know that we could be even better than what we’re doing right now. And once we get to where we want to go and continue to progress, I think it could be very dangerous.’’

Belichick was just getting warmed up. Next came high praise for second-year receiver Chris Harper, who has gotten plenty of opportunities to win the fifth receiver spot.

“He had a real good spring and he’s built on that here in training camp,’’ said the coach. “Shows good quickness, he’s caught the ball well. He has probably made as much progress as any player has in the last calendar year.’’

Next up was running back Donald Brown, an eight-year veteran who is battling with James White, D.J. Foster, and Tyler Gaffney for the fourth running back spot. Brown didn’t practice Wednesday for undisclosed reasons, but he apparently has impressed Belichick through the first week of camp.

“Donald is fast, he has good ability to stretch the field, to get outside, to run inside, quality kid, good worker, smart, very professional,’’ Belichick said. “He works hard at his job, always prepared, always does the right thing, puts a lot into it. He’s been a pleasure to coach. He’s good to have on the team.’’

And finally it was DeAndre Carter’s turn. The 5-foot-8-inch speedster has made several impressive plays throughout the first week. Again unprompted, Belichick invoked the name of a Patriots legend when describing Carter.

“He’s kind of got a Troy Brown type of build, but I think he’s got enough speed to be competitive on the perimeter,’’ Belichick said.

Wait. Since when does Belichick ever compare youngsters to Patriots Hall of Famers?

“He just impressed us,’’ Belichick said. “He runs well, he’s got good playing strength, he’s in good condition. He’s a good kid, he works really hard, has some return ability.

“Again, has pretty good playing strength for his size. He’s a shorter player but he has some playing strength to him, so that compensates for it a little bit.

“He’s continued to kind of impress us as he’s gained more experience, and really is a hard-working kid and a great kid to have on the team.’’

Carter appreciated the comparison to Brown.

“It’s a great honor to be put in that category; Troy is a great player,’’ Carter said. “Being able to talk to him and pick his brain about how he approached the game — and we have similar builds as well — was definitely a benefit to me and something I enjoyed this spring.’’

Bennett was asked if he was surprised to hear Belichick heaping so much praise on the players.

“I don’t know if that’s something he doesn’t do or if that’s something he does,’’ Bennett said. “I’m not surprised because he’s a very nice guy.’’

That certainly was the case Wednesday.

Ben Volin can be reached at ben.volin@globe.com.