Yet, aside from injuries, there are only a couple of starting positions open entering camp (kicker, right tackle), meaning the best competition under the August sun should be for backup positions and bottom-of-the-roster spots.
It wasn't that long ago that the Patriots won a Super Bowl -- 17 months to be exact -- and, surprisingly, only five players (Givens, McGinest, Vinatieri, Roman Phifer, and Joe Andruzzi) who started that game, including specialists , are no longer with the team.
Is this a team capable of climbing back into the hunt for the Super Bowl, or was last year's slip (tied for the 11th-best record in the league) a sign of things to come?
Before any games are won or lost, there are a couple of off-the-field items of concern -- the signing of first-round draft choice Laurence Maroney and getting No. 1 receiver Deion Branch into camp. A league source said Maroney's deal is likely to be done in short order. Though Branch asserts he will not be in Foxborough at the start of camp, it is highly unlikely that his holdout will extend into the season.
Those two are among the 91 players eligible to suit up for practice tomorrow, and whether they are there or not, they are certain to be among the 53 on the final roster.
Here's a look at what to watch for when camp begins.
QUARTERBACKS
Spots available: 2
Candidates: Tom Brady, Matt Cassel, Todd Mortensen, Corey Bramlet.
2005 starter: Brady.
Camp breakdown: Brady will be the starter for the foreseeable future. The Patriots are taking a chance Cassel is ready to be the No. 2. Are they willing to take a chance on just two QBs on the roster? Bramlet (or Mortensen) will have to show tremendous improvement from minicamp to earn a possible No. 3 spot.
RUNNING BACKS
Spots available: 4
Candidates: Corey Dillon, Kevin Faulk, Laurence Maroney, Patrick Pass, Heath Evans, Patrick Cobbs, Earl Charles.
2005 starters: Dillon and Faulk.
