FOXBOROUGH - Mike Vrabel hired Ekene Olekanma to help beef up the Patriots analytics department. Officially, Olekanma, who had been with the 49ers as a football research and development coordinator, will be the Director of Coaching Analytics.

After laying out some serious dollars to fortify their defensive front, Mike Vrabel is hoping for a return on the Patriots’ expenditures.

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel commented on outside linebackers coach Mike Smith's teaching ability.