Don Pierson

Did any team have a more intriguing offseason than the Patriots? Instead of standing Pat after a 12-4 season, coach Bill Belichick did everything but stand on his head to draw attention to a franchise that fans were beginning to take for granted.

After signing Randy Moss and three other receivers and adding coveted free agent linebacker Adalius Thomas, then drafting controversial safety Brandon Meriweather, the Patriots will enter training camp with all eyes gazing their direction.

Shocked by falling four points shy of another Super Bowl, the Patriots shocked the league by practically retooling a roster that is already the envy of most rivals.

By gambling on Moss from Oakland and collecting Wes Welker from Miami, Donte' Stallworth from Philadelphia and Kelly Washington from Cincinnati, the Patriots have conceded that they can't stick quarterback Tom Brady with just any receiver and expect him to connect. Although Brady did well with journeymen Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney in the playoffs, and Troy Brown came through again at age 35, there was considerable room for improvement.

Moss, of course, is the big name. Rescued after two years in Oakland, Moss sounds ready to revitalize his reputation. Criticized for failing to go all-out all the time even during his glory days in Minnesota, Moss says all he has left to do is win. If he doesn't perform up to expectations at this stop, it's more likely that he can't, rather than he won't. He has no reason to sleepwalk through this season unless he's physically washed up at age 30.

What's scary for Patriot chasers is the team isn't necessarily counting on Moss. It's Welker who could make the biggest immediate difference for Brady as he moves into the slot position. All he did with the Dolphins was quietly lead them in receiving. When he joined the Patriots, he immediately demonstrated a work ethic that will make him a team leader. With Stallworth, the Patriots have the deep threat they didn't have last year — even if Moss lags.

Thomas rejuvenates an aging linebacking corps that has been the key to Belichick's defenses. With Mike Vrabel and Tedy Bruschi aging and Vrabel forced to switch from outside to inside, the Patriots needed an outside force like Thomas who can stay on the field every down. He had 11 sacks and more than 100 tackles for Baltimore's No. 1-ranked defense, so he arrives with far fewer question marks than Moss. To free up Vrabel more, the Patriots re-signed Junior Seau, 38, who still hasn't retired.

The health of second-year running back Laurence Maroney will be closely watched in training camp now that he has replaced Corey Dillon as the No. 1 back. If his surgically-repaired right shoulder holds up, Maroney is ready to justify the team's faith in him as more of a difference-maker than the workhorse Dillon. But it's hard to count on running backs with sore shoulders.

As long as Brady doesn't wear a Yankees cap at training camp and announce he has yet another girlfriend, he could be celebrating his 30th birthday Aug. 3 with the highest expectations the Patriots have had in years.

Hot seat
Cornerback Asante Samuel remains unhappy with his franchise tag and has vowed to sit out the first 10 games of the season. If he fails to show at training camp, it puts the Patriots in a bind because cornerback is not a position of strength. They picked up Cincinnati's Tory James as insurance opposite Ellis Hobbs, but would prefer James to help at nickel back. Randall Gay, Chad Scott and Eddie Jackson also are possibilities, but Samuel's 10 interceptions and stellar play all season would be missed.

Overheard
If the surgically-repaired knees of safety Rodney Harrison and receiver Chad Jackson get healthy and hold up, it could be icing on the Patriot cake. Harrison looked ready in mini-camps and even at age 34 cannot be counted out. Jackson is unlikely to be ready and the Patriots will not be in a hurry to push him, but wouldn't ignore him if he proves he can do it. Top draft choice Brandon Meriweather missed mini-camp time with a hamstring issue and could help at both safety and cornerback when ready.

Outlook
The Patriots again will be hard to beat in the AFC East and in the AFC. They open at the Jets and can quickly get a leg up on the division with a win there. They play at Indianapolis Nov. 4 in a game that will have home field implications. Anything less than a Super Bowl will be a disappointment and they should be the consensus favorites, especially if they get past the Colts.

Prediction
First.

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