Just after their final game of the regular season, the New England Patriots fired Jerod Mayo, who was in his first season as their head coach, in a move that surprised people. But now, they have an experienced head coach in Mike Vrabel,

A coaching journey he needed to take, and the former star linebacker uniquely suited to put a faltering franchise back on track.

FOXBOROUGH — A year ago, Robert Kraft sat next to Jerod Mayo after introducing him as the new Patriots head coach and the two fielded questions side-by-side, volleying answers back and forth. That wasn’t the setup on Monday afternoon in the Sports Illustrated Pavilion.