Dont'a Hightower News

Brandon Spikes was noticeably absent from the middle of the Patriots defense during recent organized team activities, but the fourth-year linebacker was on the practice field with his teammates Tuesday for the first session of New England's mandatory three-day mini-camp.

Now that linebacker Brandon Spikes is in the house, it's time to see what the Patriots thought of his absence.

The date was April 27. But in the football community, it was better known as Day 3 of the 2013 NFL draft.

When looking back at the New England Patriots ' dynastic run of three Super Bowl victories in four years, you think of Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel and Willie McGinest on defense.

The 2012 NFL season saw the New England Patriots fall just short of the Lombardi Trophy for the seventh consecutive year, this time at the hands of the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens with a shocking 28-13 loss in the AFC Championship game.

The Patriots got underway with OTAs this week, and it was the media's first glimpse at Bill Belichick's 14th squad in New England.

Tom Brady wither in the AFC championship, the New England Patriots once again float in the rarefied air of overwhelming AFC East favorite and top-two conference favorite heading towards the 2013 NFL season.

Steve George, coach of the Newtown High football team, with his son Peyton, visit with the Patriots mascot during the NFL team's visit to Newtown on May 18.

The New England Patriots gave the Newtown, Conn. community a reason to smile this past Saturday - 154 days after unspeakable tragedy struck the small, quiet town.