The NFL calendar lists free agency as not officially beginning until 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, but don't be fooled: The real action started on Monday when the legal tampering period opened up at noon. During the tampering period,

The start of the Mike Vrabel era will bring either serious optimism or dread depending on what the New England Patriots do in free agency. It's that time of the year when the stench of the past is replaced with the whimsical smell of something new.