The New England Patriots had one of the most trying offseasons in recent history. While the organization and star quarterback were dogged by an overzealous league investigation, the team lost defensive captain Vince Wilfork and their top four cornerbacks. As the league imposed draconian punishments for unproven allegations, the team lost offensive captain Dan Connolly to retirement and receiving running back Shane Vereen in free agency.
With the Federal court nullifying quarterback Tom Brady’s four game suspension and ESPN and Sports Illustrated taking their best shots at the organization by coincidentally dredging-up allegations from eight years ago on the same day filled with unsubstantiated and anonymous sources , the Patriots have taken every body blow from the NFL and the 31 other owners this offseason to get to today: the first game of the 2015 NFL season.