And, most significantly, they replaced aging starting quarterback Cam Newton with a first-round rookie who plays more like the guy who led the Patriots to six Super Bowls over the last two decades.
They signed two solid receivers in Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne to help fill out a painfully thin corps. They splurged on two tight ends-Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry-after realizing how hard it is to play football without a good one.
The team spent a lot of money this offseason to ensure that it was.
This season was supposed to be different for the Patriots offense.
