The New England Patriots opened up camp this week with an unusual amount of intrigue. With an off-season that couldn’t have gone worse, many eyes are zeroed in on the Patriots to see how, or if, they weather the tumultuous tide. Actually, most eyes are looking at old Number 12 to see what he does.

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Tim Tebow was there, which is always worth noting. Rob Gronkowski was not there, and that was, and will remain, a bummer for everybody. Aaron Hernandez is still in jail, and that is probably the future for the exceptional, elusive tight end. The defensive crew looks to be improved and steady, which for the last couple of years has not been the case. Offensively…yeah um, no one is sure what to think.

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Tom Brady is a lock for the Hall of Fame. He’s been the best at what he does for years. But he’s entering the back nine of his career, and the target options that he has enjoyed in the past are all missing. Wes Welker is with the Broncos now, and no one seems to know why. Deion Branch is gone, as is Brandon Lloyd. Gronkowski is on the shelf for the foreseeable future, and Hernandez may do hard time. The Patriot offense was predicated on throwing the football. Welker, Gronkowski, and Hernandez were the bulk of that offense, so who is Brady going to throw the ball to?

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Well, the Pats did land Danny Amendola from St. Louis. He’s described as Welker-like, which is good, though wouldn’t the team want to hold on to the actual Welker versus a facsimile? The Patriots also snuck tight end Jake Ballard away from the NY Giants a couple of years ago. Who knew that move would be so important now? There are some rookies, but rookies are, well, rookies. They’re going to need time to sort it all out. At least the running back core is good. Lots of running for those Pats has to be coming.

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The motto in New England is “In Belichick We Trust” and he has his work cut out for him this season. For no matter how much nonsense has gone on in the off-season, they are still going to play football at some point. The moment will come when old Number 12 is going to get behind center, call out the signals, see an aggressive defense looking to come after him, and then say the word for the snap. It’s at that moment that all the off-season woes will either be put to rest or haunt the team.

For the jewel of New England will have the ball in his hands, a defense baring down on him, seconds to make a decision, and the ball will be thrown…