Case in point, missing out on Ladd McConkey in last year’s draft. The Patriots moved back, making a trade with the LA Chargers, who took the burgeoning star wideout. With the picks received from that deal, the Patriots took Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker instead. So they’ve been listening to all the “I told you so” rants over McConkey ever since.

Some of the decisions of the Patriots' new regime led by Mike Vrabel are not sitting well with current or former players.

The Patriots, 8-26 the last two years, seem to have given Vrabel wide latitude to revamp the roster as he deems fit. That means spending $190 million guaranteed and adding seven starters in free agency, as the Patriots have done since March 12. And finding new leaders in the locker room.