Patriots address defense in free agency: What about offense?

Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. Help for Maye? When reporters would pepper former Patriots coach Bill Belichick with questions about his projected starting lineup at this time of year, he sometimes went the deadpan route.

"Long way to go. It's March. We play in September."

Pithy Bill would often serve up a reminder that building a team is a year-round venture -- covering free agency, draft, trades and the waiver wire. Not all the holes were filled right away in March.

The Patriots traded for receiver Randy Moss during the 2007 draft. They claimed future stalwart linebacker Rob Ninkovich on waivers Aug. 2, 2009. They drafted guard Joe Thuney in the 2016 third round and he was a Day 1 starter. Etc. Etc. Etc.

Belichick's patience often, but not always, proved to be a virtue during the team's run of six Super Bowl championships between 2001 and 2018.

His words came to mind after listening to first-year Patriots coach Mike Vrabel share his twist on some of the glaring holes on the current roster -- most of which are on offense and especially vital because they directly impact quarterback Drake Maye, arguably the franchise's greatest asset.

The Patriots were planning to swing big for left tackle Ronnie Stanley if he didn't re-sign with the Ravens the day before the legal negotiating period began. They explored the possibility of left tackle Dan Moore Jr. (four years, $82 million in Tennessee). They did swing big on receiver Chris Godwin, who said he left generational money on the table to return to Tampa Bay.

"We will target the offensive line. ... We'll continue to look at the wide receiver position as it relates to free agency, explore every option with other teams and potentially then we'll get to the point where we're looking at the draft," Vrabel said Thursday, adding the team doesn't want to be careless and plans to be intentional in its actions.

"There's a lot of time. I know everybody is like 'it's over in free agency.' It's never over."

Vrabel relayed that senior personnel executive Alonzo Highsmith has been a voice of calm behind the scenes, sharing his experience that desirable players are going to become available, "whether it be now, or May, or after training camp."

Highsmith's message to Vrabel and the staff: There's going to be someone that's currently not on the roster who will help the team win a game in 2025.

At the same time, another legendary coach, Vince Lombardi, once famously said that "hope is not a strategy."

And with that in mind, if the Patriots were playing a game today, they would likely be hoping that Vederian Lowe would protect Maye's blindside at left tackle, 2024 fourth-round pick Layden Robinson solidified left guard and fourth-year players Ben Brown or Cole Strange hold down the fort at center.

As for receiver, Mack Hollins or Kayshon Boutte project as the No. 1 options at this point. Veteran Kendrick Bourne and slot option DeMario Douglas also figure notably on the depth chart. And who knows what happens with disappointing 2024 draft picks Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker?

As Vrabel & Co. build the roster (with team culture in mind, too), there are still free agent players for them to consider, such as left tackle Cam Robinson (Jaguars/Vikings), guard Teven Jenkins (Bears) and receivers Amari Cooper (Bills), Stefon Diggs (Texans), Elijah Moore (Browns), Tyler Lockett (Seahawks) and Keenan Allen (Bears), among others.

They attacked the first week of free agency with urgency, titled heavily toward the defense in contracts (eight of their 13 deals) and finances.

The lingering question: What about the offense?

2. Williams as Simmons: The Patriots' vision for how they plan to employ defensive tackle Milton Williams will likely have shades of what Vrabel did with Jeffery Simmons in Tennessee -- moving him all over the line to isolate advantageous matchups.

Vrabel hinted at that when he said: "I think we've been able to put players like Milton, in our history of coaching, in good spots to be productive and make plays that can help the team win."

Williams, who played just 48% of the snaps last season in Philadelphia, seems energized by the challenge.

"I want to be known as doing it all, versatile, Swiss Army knife -- line up anywhere and be productive from any spot," he said.

3. Family day: When the Patriots introduced some of their top free agent signings Thursday, it was more than a passing note that the festivities included not just the players themselves, but also parents, spouses and children. Having them take part in the official signing of contracts, touring the team's facility and sitting in on the media news conference ties to the culture Vrabel is aiming to create.

As part of his remarks in front of reporters, Vrabel looked at newcomers Williams, Carlton Davis III, Morgan Moses and Robert Spillane and said: "We're excited to meet your support system and understand why you are the way you are. We're going to support the things and the people that are important in your life."