Chandler Jones News

New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones streches out prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Nov.

Quarterback Tom Brady and the New England Patriots held organized team activities in Foxborough Monday and Tuesday.

Dec 22, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Tommy Kelly and defensive end Lamarr Houston react on the field in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium.

Gronk is quick, powerful and has long arms , so while it's hard to imagine Gronk sticking his hand in the dirt and rushing the passer, that is exactly what he'd do if he were on the other side of the ball.

Dont'a Hightower is no longer a rookie. "It feels pretty good not having to get the water bottles or put the equipment up or things like that," the Patriots' linebacker said Thursday after a workout at Gillette Stadium.

Hybrid rush ends, increasingly blurred lines between 4-3 and 3-4 alignments and a new brand of ball-hawking safety will be the trends that dominate defensive football in the 2013 NFL season.

Say what you want about the New England Patriots defense, but there's no denying Vince Wilfork's status as one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL.

From this writer's perspective, there is a case to be made that each defensive position will be improved next season.

Unless quarterback Tom Brady suddenly retires from football to become a horse-racing aficionado or bow-tie model, the New England Patriots will once again rank among the early favorites to win next year's Super Bowl, but they still have a few holes to patch before sailing the good ship lollipop to a title.

The team-building portion of the NFL offseason is just about complete, and the New England Patriots have made some significant changes to their team, despite returning 20 of 22 starters.

The Patriots would love a short-yardage hammer. They'd love a can't miss bull of a running back who can convert short first downs and get into the end zone just about every time from in close.

Apr 26, 2012; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the NFL shield logo before the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall.

Now last year's first-round draft pick from Syracuse wants to help the new group of rookies who open minicamp Friday.

With the Draft now behind us and with most of the free agents in the fold, the Patriots roster is now coming into focus.

The New England Patriots did not pick up any real big-name prospects in the 2013 NFL draft .

Historically, the Patriots have been recognized as having brought back the 3-4 defense into style- the defense that has helped 6 of the past 10 Super Bowl Champions.

Bill Belichick doesn't have a great track record drafting wide receivers after hitting on Deion Branch and David Givens early in Belichick's Patriot run.

The New England Patriots are reportedly the heavy favorites to land free agent defensive end John Abraham, and could strike a deal with the veteran in the coming days.

Frank Coppola Sports editor Twitter: @FCoppolaSMG B. The Patriots get credit for two things: 1) trading their No.

After three days, the Patriots spread out their seven picks to help round out their roster, mostly on the defensive side.