The silliest media exercise this time of year begs the same question of all new NFL head coaches. Did they win the press conference? Obviously, there’s no scoreboard behind the microphone, and no connection between January talking points and September touchdowns.

FOXBOROUGH — A year ago, Robert Kraft sat next to Jerod Mayo after introducing him as the new Patriots head coach and the two fielded questions side-by-side, volleying answers back and forth. That wasn’t the setup on Monday afternoon in the Sports Illustrated Pavilion.

With its new head coach and rookie quarterback, New England has answers at the two most important positions on the team.