I have followed the Patriots for a long time and spent my first four NFL seasons in New England. I can't remember another year in which so many players have spoken publicly about change, about the team's philosophy and even about their own frustrations.
It's a different mode of operation than when I was there, because there's usually a closed-door policy with players: You talk about yourself, you don't talk about other people's injuries, and you definitely don't talk about scheme or anything else the team is doing.
It seems like it has gotten away from that, to the point where players are more open to criticizing the system or venting their frustrations.