We are looking at something very similar to what has happened to a few other successful NFL coaches. Their supporting cast and key players being yanked from them.

How are the Patriots going to respond? Offensive and Defensive coordinators are gone. Ty Law is gone, Troy Brown is gone, Bruschi is a big question mark at this point. Patten is gone, Andruzzi is gone. Teams have dealt with losing a coordinator and a couple players before, but this team is losing two major coordinators and a sigificant number of key players this year.

How can the Patriots rebound for another title run? They have Brady, Dillon, and Belichick, but can these guys do what it takes to generate another SuperBowl run? or even a divisional championship?

I am really thinking this dynasty is done at this point.

Honestly, I don't see a huge drop on the offensive side of the board. Unless, Bellicheck gets real conservative like he did in Cleveland. He needs to use Brady, and spread the ball around, and then rush dillon as well.

On defense, man. They did it with smoke and mirrors some last year. I don't think the loss of Law hurts. But the loss of Bruschi is a killer. Interesting to see what they do to fill in.

Even without the defections New England was looking at a good 2005 season but not one of championship caliber.

Patten was a role player and in the overall scheme, replacing him with Dwight (if he sees much more than special team duty) should not have much of a negative impact.

Brown I thought I heard/read might potentially return (granted it would be under a new contract). Despite his age and reduced production he is about NE's ultimate utility man.

The pats usually wait towards the end of FA to make their moves, post-draft. I think they have plenty of plans and moves in store. They have been quite calculated, and I don't see why this year would be any different.