Plenty of Patriots talk this week as Mike Vrabel, his coaching staff and the front office head out to Indianapolis for the NFL Combine. 

Vrabel and Wolf times set for NFL Combine: Mike Vrabel is scheduled to meet with the media on Tuesday morning at 10:15 am. Eliot Wolf will meet with the media on Wednesday at 1 pm. Both should have plenty to say regarding the combine and what the Patriots will focus on in Indianapolis. 

Interest in Graham at 4 is real: Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham is being linked to the Patriots with the fourth overall pick and rightfully so. Graham is one of the most talented players in this class and he could make impact right out of the gate. Could the Patriots replicate 2001 and take a defensive lineman in the first round and an offensive lineman in the second round? It is possible. They like Graham more than people outside the building think. 

Full contingent in Indy: Expect the Patriots to have a strong coaching and front office presence at the combine. The Patriots staff will not only be evaluating positions of need, but they will also be focused on all the other positions as well. The sentiment around the league is that all positions are on the table for New England. Many around the NFL seem to think the Patriots will overhaul the roster more than initially thought. 

Reshaping the roster to continue: The Patriots released linebacker Sione Takitaki this week and do not be surprised if a couple of other notable players are released prior to the start of free agency. Vrabel is going to want to target specific players in free agency and he wants to clear the deck at some positions to entice free agents to want to sign. 

Vrabel at Celtics practice: Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla invited Mike Vrabel to practice on Saturday. Mazzulla believes that the Boston head coaches are a brotherhood. Vrabel’s visit continues the strong ties between the Patriots and Celtics through the years. 

“He obviously brings a championship-type perspective,” Mazzulla said. “Any time you can get together with guys who are in the same arena as we are, and support each other, it’s important … The four people that have these jobs, for however long they have it, there has to be a brotherhood there. There has to be a communication and understanding that we’re all carrying a responsibility to compete at a high level and bring championships to the city. So you have to learn from each other and have that perspective.”

Running back early? A source told me that he would not be surprised if the Patriots took a running back sooner than expected. The position is thin behind Rhamondre Stevenson and his fumble problems are well documented. Vrabel wants to address the running back position in both free agency and the draft. Late day two or early day three could be the sweet spot for the Patriots to draft a back. Re-signing Antonio Gibson is also on the table. The Patriots are going to prioritize bigger running backs. 

Brown to the Giants has been in the making since 2002: The great Mike Reiss made a good point in his weekly notes. Troy Brown’s hiring with the Giants as an offensive assistant is not a surprise. He and Brian Daboll have had a relationship since 2002 when Daboll was his position coach. The hiring surprised some people this week, but the Daboll, Brown relationship is built on a long standing level of respect and that is a big reason why Brown was hired. 

Mayo update:  A source close to former Patriots coach Jerod Mayo told me that he is doing well and is in good spirits. The source also told me that he is weighing his options and is waiting for the right opportunity to coach again. He is not going to take just anything. We are wishing Jerod the best as he looks to continue his NFL coaching career. 

Hughes to Alabama: Former Patriots wide receiver coach Tyler Hughes has been hired at Alabama, reuniting with Kalen DeBoer. Hughes coached wide receivers for DeBoer at Washington before returning to the Patriots prior to last season.