SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- A local columnist earlier in the week dubbed this place "Camp Gloom and Doom." Since the New England Patriots already have had more plagues visited upon them than the ancient Hebrews experienced in trying to escape Egypt, that nickname seems an altogether appropriate one.

The team's highly-regarded quarterbacks coach, Dick Rehbein, died on Monday during a stress test for his already weak heart. Wide receiver Terry Glenn, the only guy capable of truly stretching a defensive secondary, has decided to play hide-and-seek for now. Free agent guard Joe Panos, penciled in as a starter, decided to retire after one day of practice. Linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer, a former first-round pick, is reconsidering just how motivated he is about playing football with a neck that squeaks when he walks.

	Bill Belichick has had a difficult training camp in his second season with the Patriots.

Guys bolt out of here with such regularity, in fact, officials of the Bryant College training camp site might want to consider replacing the lovely brick wall at the front entrance to a quaint campus with a revolving door.

Did we mention that defensive end Willie McGinest had offseason back surgery that the team deemed "minor," but which could keep him out of the season opener? Or that a couple of offensive linemen counted on as starters continue to log as many hours soaking in the whirlpool as they do refining their pass-blocking techniques?

Hard to believe that, in a camp where such ominous storm clouds have already gathered in the first few weeks, temperatures could hover near 100 degrees. Harder to believe that, under the brutal circumstances, coach Bill Belichick hasn't erupted in a fit of rage at the misfortunes that have beset the Patriots at so early a stage of the 2001 season.

Then again, he's had to trample out so many brush fires already, Belichick hasn't had the time to reflect on a camp that has been a four-alarm disaster. The death of Rehbein, to which "everything else pales," Belichick said, has cast a somber mood. The coach also reminded, though, that there is little time to dwell on the tragedy. Players agreed.

"As long as I've been playing in the league, I can't ever remember being with a team that went through such a tough stretch," said six-year veteran wide receiver Charles Johnson. "It's just been one thing after another. But I know these two things: In this league, no one feels sorry for you, so there's no sense feeling sorry for yourself. And, second, no matter what happens, you've got to find a way to keep moving on."

Players always contend that off-field distractions are rarely an element once they step between the white lines, but this is a franchise that can't help but be distracted by the spate of setbacks. It's almost as if, while the stenciling across the front of Belichick's practice jersey says "adidas," someone has hung a "kick me" sign on the back of him. Certainly, the Pats are down right now, and only time will tell if they are out as well.

Belichick and owner Bob Kraft doubtless would love to pile up all the tribulations that the Patriots have encountered so far, rent a bulldozer, and nudge them into the "Big Dig," the road construction boondoggle that continues to turn Boston into the world's biggest rush hour parking lot. Since that isn't possible, however, New England will just have to solider bravely onward.

	Offseason Acquisitions
	The New England Patriots signed 21 veteran free agents this spring and summer and 20 of them remain on the current training camp roster. Of that group, only Mike Compton, who is expected to start at guard, is scheduled to earn more than $1 million for 2001 in combined signing bonus and base salary. The aggregate 2001 compensation for the group is $12.338 million, an average of $616,910, and the combined charge against the Patriots' salary cap is $10.934 million:
	Player	Exp.	Salary	Cap hit
	Terrell Buckley	9	$500,000	$500,000
	Je'Rod Cherry	5	$477,000	$477,000
	Mike Compton	8	$1,100,000	$689,900
	Brad Costello	1	$394,200	$394,200
	Bryan Cox	9	$800,000	$800,000
	Marc Edwards	4	$800,000	$630,200
	Bert Emanuel	7	$500,000	$500,000
	Damon Huard	4	$900,000	$655,200
	Larry Izzo	5	$728,000	$522,000
	Charles Johnson	7	$700,000	$601,200
	Johnny McWilliams	5	$478,600	$478,600
	Riddick Parker	4	$449,200	$449,200
	David Patten	4	$540,000	$580,200
	Roman Phifer	10	$520,000	$520,000
	Anthony Pleasant	11	$705,000	$571,900
	Terrance Shaw	6	$505,000	$493,700
	Torrance Small	9	$501,200	$501,200
	Antowain Smith	4	$500,000	$500,000
	Matt Stevens	5	$535,000	$515,200
	Mike Vrabel	4	$705,000	$555,200

And to rely, it seems, on the improved overall character of a revamped roster.

In a buying frenzy reminiscent of those battles at Filene's, the famed Boston department store whose basement sales elicit more contact than Glenn is apt to see if he continues his inexplicable camp boycott, the Patriots imported more than 20 veteran free agents during the offseason. Only one of them, offensive guard Mike Compton, will earn more than $1 million this year, as Belichick plumbed the middle-level talent pool for bargains.

But if there are two subtle common denominators among all the newcomers, besides their modest paychecks, it is their character and their seniority. Like a mad scientist in his cellar laboratory, Belichick attempted during the offseason to create improved chemistry. The early results, which have been overshadowed by the tragedies of early training camp, are promising.

The talent pool here isn't as competitive as others in the division, but New England is a deeper club than it was a year ago. Of the 20 veteran players, nine have six seasons or more of NFL experience and all but one have been in the league at least four years. It is easy to dismiss the bunch as free agent leftovers, the remnant of a pick-over free agent class, but Belichick feels there is strength in numbers. Problem is, it is always tough to try to incorporate so many new players and have them quickly assimilate things.

Asked earlier this week how much better the Patriots' collective character is than a year ago, Belichick smiled wanly and acknowledged: "A lot. We really looked for those kinds of guys (in free agency). It can make a difference. We brought in some solid people."

Belichick, mind you, is a different kind of guy. Some coaches might have revisited the 2000 season -- one in which nine of New England's 11 defeats were by eight points or fewer and four were by five points or less -- and decided one or two high-profile additions would get the team over the hump. Right or wrong, Belichick feels he can win with less, especially on defense, where he remains one of the best minds in recent NFL history.

But operating with precious little salary cap space, most of the wiggle room provided by the long-term extension signed by quarterback Drew Bledsoe, the Patriots couldn't afford high-ticket free agents. And so they elected instead to try to close the gap in the AFC East with a legion of new role players, most of whom figure to be positive influences in a Pats locker room that hasn't always been the cheeriest place to be.

The only problem: While no one would question the leadership skills of veterans like the wide receiver trio of Johnson, Bert Emanuel and Torrance Small, there are questions over the viability of such players as regular on-field contributors. Character is a commodity not to be overlooked in the NFL, and Belichick firmly believes that character might gain a team a couple more victories every year.

But you'd better have some talent to go along with your temperament because, at the NFL level, integrity typically isn't enough to overcome ineptitude.

"Personally, I think it's a better situation," said free safety Tebucky Jones. "That isn't a (knock) at the guys who were here before. It's just that we have a lot more depth because of some of the players they brought in and, when you look around the (locker) room, it's filled with players who have been in winning situations before."

This isn't the optimum way to build a lasting contender, to bring in a bunch of guys who are working on one-year contracts, but there were few alternatives in some cases. There is a sprinkling of young talent from recent drafts, but probably not enough, and for the Pats to surpass their victory total of 2000, some of the graybeards must turn back the clock and summon their rusty skills to shine again.

"A lot of the veteran guys here feel like we're getting a second chance," said cornerback Terrance Shaw. "Time to make the most of it, you know?"

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.