To start their NFL offseason, the New England Patriots made a coaching change. They moved on from Jerod Mayo and brought in Mike Vrabel to replace him. Already,

The Patriots' roster is loaded with waiver-wire-level players, many of whom can be jettisoned without much consequence. Better for Mike Vrabel to do that and put his stamp on the team, rather than accept the current last-place roster.

Vrabel joined the Patriots staff after a 14-year NFL career that included three Super Bowl wins, an All-Pro selection and a Pro Bowl nomination. Since retiring in 2010, he's spent