Head coach Mike Vrabel assembled an impressive group of assistants that includes two former head coaches in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and offensive line coach Doug Marrone, a former interim head coach in passing game coordinator and tight ends coach Thomas Brown and a former offensive coordinator in wide receivers coach Todd Downing.

Patriots insiders discussed when team owner Robert Kraft seriously "began pondering" replacing first-year coach Jerod Mayo with Mike Vrabel.

Mike Vrabel is back in a head-coaching role with the New England Patriots this year. However, he's appreciative of the year he spent with the Browns.