For the second season in a row, the New England Patriots have opted to enter the season with a perilously thin linebacker corps. Last season, a long term injury to Jerod Mayo and short term injuries to Dont'a Hightower and Jamie Collins revealed the risk the team took and Belichick was forced to acquire linebackers Akeem Ayers and Jonathan Casillas in the middle of the season.
The only difference between last year's initial roster and this year's is Jonathan Freeney making the squad over Chris White.