Trading wide receiver Terry Glenn and quarterback Drew Bledsoe proved a couple of things for the Patriots. First of all, there is no question it is now Bill Belichick's team. Owner Robert Kraft always had his favorites and was willing to pay top dollar to keep them. Belichick does things different. He would rather have four or five one-, two- or three-down role players than one $5 million star.

That approach may have cost Belichick his job in his final years in the old Browns organization, but it worked for a Super Bowl ring last season. How can Kraft complain? Belichick is content to spend less and win more. That's an owner's dream.

Last year's strategy was to create great depth with veteran players whom Belichick knew how to use in key situations. With most of the team returning, Belichick's frugile spending allowed him to have an even deeper team this year. For example, the tight end position, which was the weakest in football last year, has five options, including veterans Christian Fauria and Cam Cleeland and first-round choice Daniel Graham. Belichick added a tall wide receiver, Donald Hayes, to help improve production on third down.

	CAMP AT A GLANCE
	Antowain Smith rushed for 1,157 yards in his first season with the Patriots.
	Location: Bryant College, Smithfield, R.I. Rookies report: July 22 Veterans report: July 25 Preseason schedule:    Aug. 10: at N.Y. Giants    Aug. 17: Philadelphia    Aug. 23: Carolina    Aug. 29: at Washington

By adding tackle Steve Martin and Rick Lyle to the defensive line, the Patriots should be able to use more 4-3 packages this year. The offensive line is deeper and more experienced with the signing of Rich Tylski to a line that is returning all starters and backups. Belichick prepared for the trade of Bledsoe by having Damon Huard as the backup quarterback. The task will be harder this season. The Patriots face nine teams with winning records. Teams won't take the Patriots for granted. Defenses will try to find ways to stop Charlie Weis' short-passing offense. What they won't figure out, though, is Belichick's unpredictable schemes on defense.

Man in the spotlight
Tom Brady was last year's Cinderella story. He parlayed a chance to start because of Drew Bledsoe's internal injury into a trip to the Pro Bowl and a Super Bowl MVP Trophy. That's a hard task to repeat, but to Brady's credit, he's worked even harder on conditioning and lifting in the team's offseason program. Last year, he was one of the stars of the offseason program, but few knew who he was. He was an unknown sixth-round choice who showed promise. Defensive coordinators have had an offseason to study Brady's short-passing success and may have a few surprises for him. But Brady showed enough savvy to handle his wild ride last year. The most important thing is that his teammates believe in him. But the pressure is on now.

Key position battle
The Patriots won a Super Bowl with minimal offense coming from the tight end position. So, ultimately, the Patriots don't need great tight end play to win, but the Fauria-Cleeland-Graham battle is one of the most unpredictable in the league. Fauria is expected to begin the season as the starter, but Graham was the second best tight end in a great tight end draft. Cleeland has Pro Bowl potential but can't stay out of the training room. Better play from the tight end position, though, will help Brady on second and third downs.

Injury update
No major issues here. Defensive tackle Richard Seymour and left tackle Matt Light are coming off shoulder surgeries after great rookie seasons. Cleeland is coming off two Achilles tendon tears in two seasons, but he might not be among the top two tight ends even if he's healthy.

Rookie report
Graham may be a starter by mid-season or earlier after the Patriots traded up in the first round to acquire him. Fourth-round choice Rohan Davey is a prospect at quarterback who will have a couple of seasons to be groomed into a backup role. Second-round choice Deion Branch doesn't expect to get much playing time because he has four experienced receivers ahead of him -- David Patten, Troy Brown, Hayes and Fred Coleman.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.