New England Patriots: The First Five Steps to Post-Lockout Recovery

The New England Patriots were one of the best-equipped teams to handle a prolonged lockout, but now that a new collective bargaining agreement has been reached, don't think they're going to fall asleep at the wheel.

Just like always, the Patriots will probably be one of the first teams getting ready.

Just like every team, though, there are still multiple things the Patriots must do in order to get ready for the season once the lockout is officially lifted.

Erik Frenz is the co-host of the PatsPropaganda and Frenz podcast. Follow Erik on Twitter @erikfrenz

1. Get the Rookies Their Playbooks (If They Don't Already Have Them)

There was a brief period after the NFL draft in which the lockout was lifted for a few days. In that time, teams were allowed to communicate with their players. This included issuing playbooks. Although it's uncertain exactly who got a playbook and who didn't, one has to think that a top priority will be to get anyone who didn't receive a playbook up to speed.

This is especially true for rookies, who are relying on quickly getting up to speed to ensure that they make the team this year. For that reason, the rookies are already at a slight disadvantage. Still, there is hope for them to make the team with the lockout ending soon.

2. Negotiate with Matt Light and Logan Mankins

There's no question that the play of the Patriots offensive line has been key to their success recently, especially last year. When the line doesn't play well, the team as a whole suffers for it.

Keeping two key components of that line should be a top priority for the Patriots brass. Matt Light has protected Tom Brady's blind side from the beginning, and Logan Mankins is truly the enforcer of that line, providing a mauler's mentality with that extra shot of piss and vinegar he brings to the trench.

Of course, New England grabbed Nate Solder to be its franchise left tackle for after Light is done, but who knows how ready Solder will be having not yet practiced with the team. Mankins, however, is an integral piece of the future of that line, as maintaining continuity is an underrated aspect of a talented unit.

3. Set Up a Meeting Between Dante Scarnecchia and Nate Solder

Speaking of Solder, the sooner he meets with Dante Scarnecchia, the better. His future may depend on the Patriots ability to retain Matt Light in free agency. If they are able to do so, chances are slim that Solder will start from day one. If they aren't, however, the expectation could be for Solder to start right out of the gate.

It was Dante Scarnecchia's opinion that he will need a bit of work before he's truly ready, but I doubt the Patriots would have taken a chance on him if they were at all uncertain about his ability to go. They wouldn't roll the dice on Tom Brady's blind side without good reason.

4. Address the Free Agent Crops

I've already speculated about all sorts of names that the Patriots should be considering in free agency, but the bottom line is they aren't usually the ones to pull the trigger.

Still, with so much time to speculate over their decisions, one has to think it will be a calculated strike when they pick up exactly the prospects they want. This includes undrafted free agents or players that the Patriots may not have had enough selections for, or may have piqued interest sometime after the draft.

In terms of a big-time pass rusher, for all the fan boys with their foam fingers crossed, don't hold your breath.

5. Hit the Practice Field

Of course, the final and most important step is to get everyone back on the field. There are position battles to be won and lost, plays to be studied and tweaked, game plans to build, and so much more to get accomplished before the season begins.

There is a wealth of depth at defensive back, outside linebacker, defensive end and running back, and those guys will duke it out to determine who gets the most playing time through late July and August into September. Those are just the key position battles, though. There are obviously depth chart battles going on at every position.

If Bill Belichick had his way, the Patriots would step back on the practice field the day the lockout is lifted, just to get ahead of the competition. Unfortunately, there are a few key decisions that have to be made and a few dominoes left to be put into place for the Patriots to have a successful offseason before the 2011 season begins.

I'm sure the players have that itch to get back to practice as well, and they will need every bit of motivation they can muster up in order to stay ahead of their own competition, players just like them who are trying to make the roster.