For Patriots, it’s all falling right into line

All that’s missing is Belichick, feet up on his desk, cigar in his mouth, with a Robert DeNiro belly laugh straight out of “Cape Fear.’’

The good times are rolling around the Patriots, who are looking down at the rest of the National Football League at 6-1.

“I know I’d be feeling pretty good if I were him,’’ said a high-ranking NFC executive. “But you know how Bill is. He’s probably playing the Browns’ victory over the Saints [two weeks ago] for all it’s worth.’’

The Patriots got a two-week roster exemption from the league to work Mankins back in, a league spokesman said. It probably wouldn’t be a stretch for Mankins to play some against the Browns, but it probably would be wise to hold him back at least a week.

“I would think it would be to his disadvantage if they just threw him out there the first series,’’ said an AFC pro scout. “I think there’s an adjustment time to get back into a groove.

“When you take that time off, the speed of the game is going to be an adjustment. I would work him back in slowly. Even if you just miss a week or two with an injury, it’s tough. He’s been gone for how long now?’’

Nearly 10 months, since the Patriots lost, 33-14, at home to the Ravens in the playoffs.

Mankins didn’t report to any offseason workouts after he was given a one-year, $3.26 million tender. He was among the group of players who would have been unrestricted free agents this season if the owners didn’t opt out of the collective bargaining agreement, which was their right.

Mankins refused to sign the tender, so he wasn’t under contract. The tender he signed was lowered to $1.54 million, according to ESPN. That could cause continued tension between Mankins and the organization — he told ESPNBoston.com in June he wanted to be traded and thought the Patriots weren’t being true to their word — but most expect Mankins to slip in seamlessly with his teammates.

“He took a hard stand, and not many have challenged [the Patriots] across the league,’’ said the AFC scout. “But he is a teammate. He’s one of the guys. The teammates will welcome him back. Won’t be a problem.’’