Patriots QB Drake Maye seemed to get through training camp learning a new offense. (AP photo)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – A new era begins Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

Again.

But this time, the results should be much better. Sure, the New England Patriots still have holes on their roster, a questionable offensive line, but they’ve got a much better defense and, it should be obvious, much better coaching.

Does new coach Mike Vrabel have a feel for this team?

“I mean, I think I have an idea,” Vrabel said this past week. “But I don’t know if you ever really know. I mean, we’ll find out. But, I mean, I think that they like coming into work.”

It’s a team with a ton of new faces. Vrabel, like most coaches, has come in and swept a lot of the names of 2024 out the door, the last being safety Jabrill Peppers just over a week ago. Most of the captains from that team are history, as he clearly has looked for a fresh approach. And make no mistake, these are his decisions. It’s why 11 rookies, nine drafted and two undrafted, have made the 53-man roster.

What to look for? Well, let’s try to help you out:

OFFENSE

Obviously it starts with quarterback Drake Maye in the backfield, and of course the Patriots are hoping the second year player will cut down on the turnovers, which plagued him his rookie season. Maye has shown the right tempermant, the physical tools, etc. He just needs to make more of the right decisions.

The one team leader Vrabel did hold onto was veteran tight end Hunter Henry, who re-signed with the team. He has a slimmed down Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson as verteran backs, but there is something the Patriots finally have that they’ve lacked for years: A player who with the ball in his hands can score from anywhere on the field, and that would be rookie back TreVeyon Henderson. In the old school approach by coordinator Josh McDaniels, Jack Westover is a fullback listed as a tight end.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Patriot season without angst about the receivers. Actually, Maye has good connection with just about every one, which is why they’re on the roster. The mystery of course is Stefon Diggs. The Patriots have been careful with him as he recovers from the knee surgery. Diggs has loose lips, and he makes news on ships, but if he’s a playmaker when healthy. Maye knows Demario Douglas, loves Keyshon Boutte, and veteran free agent Mack Hollins is crazy enough to take on an entire defense barefoot. The Patriots are hoping rookie Kyle Williams is the deep threat they’ve lacked, but they’ll be OK if he works into it.

Of course, Maye won’t have time to throw deep if the Patriots offensive line can’t do the job. Attenion finally left top rookie left tackle Will Campbell and went to other things when he showed in game situations he can handle things here and there. Remember, left tackles often can look awful and then become super. The Giants’ Andrew Thomas is a perfect example. The Patriots may gamble with a rookie at left guard as well in Jared Wilson. The right side with Mike Owenu at right guard and veteran Morgan Moses at right tackle should be solid if Moses, not seen too often in camp/preseason, is ready to go. The Patriots are crossing their fingers on veteran center Garrett Bradbury, who didn’t come in with the best resume.

But a line is basically the sum of its parts. The Patriots problem roster wide is depth, and the offensive line is Exhibit A.

But you had to love Vrabel’s words to his players about that 2024 offense. “How many points did you score last year?,” he said. “The answer is not enough.”

Of course, there aren’t many left from the offense to give him their answer.

DEFENSE

Most of the cuts and roster tinkering has been on the defensive side of the ball, where the former Patriot linebacker Vrabel is putting his stamp. He’s revamped the linebacker corps, and beefed up the defensive line with pass rusher Milton Williams, hoping run stopper Christian Barmore can regain his form and not be hampered by the blood clot issue that killed his 2024 season.Khyris Tonga up front as well helps. Vrabel is working to try to ensure Keion White on the edge is more bite than bark, but Harold Landry III and K’Lavon Chaisson should help seal off the wide areas. You could run on the Patriots a year ago and it killed them.

Vrabel ripped up the linebacking corps, as one would expect. Veterans Jack Gibbens, Robert Spillane and returnee Christian Elliss are the main three, and keep an eye on undrafted rookie free agent Elijah Ponder but also Jack Gibbens is a Vrabel type of player.

Opposing offensive coordinators are keeping a close eye on the health of perhaps the Patriots’ best defensive player, Christian Gonzalez. Once his hamstring heals, he should form a pretty good duo with veteran Carlton Davis III. Until then, you’ll get a lot of Marcus Jones, who has the speed needed. But they need Gonzalez.

Who would have thought that Kyle Dugger would be one of the safeties kept and Jabrill Peppers wouldn’t? But those are some of the decisions they make in the NFL, and Vrabel, since the team couldn’t trade either, chose to keep Dugger. But potentially the top safety now, believe it or not, is rookie Craig Woodson while Jaylinn Hawkins will get some time with free agent signee Marcus Epps. Believe it or not, if Vrabel feels Dugger has recovered from his injuries, he could emerge better than we thought a couple of weeks ago.But it’s a thin group, which makes one wonder why did Vrabel jettison Peppers.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Brendan Schooler is the main kick cover guy, but this unit could use some work. The Patriots have the return men (Jones,Henderson) to do damage. Bryce Barringer has been steady, though not spectacular, as the punter, but one wonders how reliable placekicker Andres Borregales will be, because his draft status (sixth round pick) likely saved him over veteran Parker Romo, who looked better in camp.

COACHING

Look, Vrabel is a good coach. In Tennessee, he got caught up in the front office mess, but here he has the front office he wants and obviously got assurances from owner Robert Kraft this was his show. The staff is experienced, and McDaniels return should benefit Maye greatly.

THE SCHEDULE

This is possibly the Patriots’ biggest asset. Don’t look at the teams, look at the QBs their facing. We see eight or nine matchups (Justin Fields twice? C’mon) that help. Of course, Josh Allen twice and Lamar Jackson won’t.

THE RECORD: Call us crazy, but we’ll go 9-8. Possible playoffs? Nah. Too much competition.

AFC DIVISION WINNERS: Bills, Steelers, Texans, Chargers.

AFC WILD CARDS: Ravens, Chiefs, Broncos.

AFC CHAMPION: Bills.

NFC DIVISION WINNERS: Eagles, Packers, Falcons, Rams.

NFC WILD CARDS: Lions, Niners, Buccaners.

NFC CHAMPION: Lions

SUPER BOWL: Bills over Lions. It’s Allen’s time, and new stadium is coming.