Cutdown day was a stark reminder that while the Patriots have spruced up the roster, they’re still looking up at most teams when it comes to the talent depth chart.

They made moves in free agency, overpaying in many instances, but couldn’t plug all of the holes in one fell swoop. There were too many to fix.

With the season opener a week away, how do teams with less-talented rosters compete? How do they make up for the deficit?

By adopting the type of identity Mike Vrabel has been trying to impart.

Since taking over, Vrabel has been drilling home the “effort and finish” mantra with his players. He’s been harping on the little details.

With the roster he has, he knows that’s one path to wins.

Play hard, tough, physical, mistake-free football from start to finish. That’s the ticket

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