Yes, the first day of New England Patriots training camp always feels like the first day of school.

Teachers will always tell you, yeah, you did great in the fifth grade but now kids this is the sixth grade, and it’s a whole different year.

The Patriots almost graduated ahead of schedule a year ago, but flunked the final exam. They’d love to prove that they can shine on the biggest of NFL stages, but the bottom line is it’s a brand new year and there will be interesting challenges, but they prepared well.

“Yeah we had a good year last year, but it’s time to turn the page,” Patriots defensive lineman Milton Williams said. “What are we going to do this year. This league is ‘What have you done for me lately.’ So now we have to see about this year.”

Well this year started out with an interesting sun splashed first day. It began with team owner Robert Kraft declaring the Patiots have offered corner Christian Gonzalez the highest contract in Patriots franchise history. Then it was a mike drop. And just a little while later, Gonzalez was livening up the crowd that packed the bleachers. The fans loved it.

And then quarterback Drake Maye heaved a ball that receiver A.J. Brown nearly caught against Gonzalez, grabbing it with one hand but then it fell to the ground.The crowd cheered then groaned.

The Patriots have a tougher schedule this year. It won’t in all likelihood be 14-3. They need to use the memory of how the season ended at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara as motivation.

“I mean, obviously it stings, but I don’t think it’s very hard because you’re still hungry,” Maye said when asked about turning the page from a year ago. “I think you got something to chase, and I think that’s one of the best things about experiencing it.”

In other words, turn the ultimate negative into the ultimate positive. Heck, they open up with the Seahawks in six weeks.

“Obviously not getting to where we wanted and finishing off how we wanted, but you experienced it, know what it’s like and know what it takes to get there,”

Maye said. “And we got to be even better because, our standard from last year, if we just play the same way, we won’t make it there.”

Patriots QB Drake Maye talks with the media as training camp opened up on Saturday out behind Gillette Stadium. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

How can that change?

“Think just come firing off,” Maye said. “You know, we start with Week One (at Seattle). I think that speaks for itself on a rematch. So, I think we got to bring our A-game, and it starts in camp. It gives us a great mindset for camp of getting things going early and firing all cylinders. So, we got some tough work, but looking forward to it.”

The team, especially Vrabel, have talked about some sense of urgency. It’s a motivational tool, because it’s easy for a team to get into the mindset of thinking that they did it before, no reason to feel it won’t happen again.

Doesn’t work that way.

“Same as it was last year,” Williams said when asked what the mindset was. “We’re back on day one, we’re trying to build and get back to where we were last year. … just got to come out and get ready to be better.

“Last year is last year. We had a good year, but we’re on to this year. … hopefully finish the job this time.”

Class dismissed. Not a bad first day.

Tom King may be reached at @Telegraph_TomK on twitter, or tking@nashuatelegraph.com