A lot to be excited about,” Diggs said. “It’s been a kind of a long-lost [offseason of rehab] ... so I was eager to get back out ... with the guys."

Patriot fans, tired of four-win teams, want something to root for. With Mike Vrabel at the helm, Josh McDaniels leading the offense, a revamped defense, and Maye getting a legitimate weapon, there’s a renewed sense of optimism. And listening to the crowd Wednesday, it’s not hard to glean where they think the team’s bread is buttered.