Top draft choice Jerod Mayo (center), working out at rookie camp in May, is the Patriots’ only unsigned player.

The Providence Journal / John Freidah

When the first horn sounds, around 8:45 this morning, there will be about 6,000 worshippers gathered along the fields behind New England’s cathedral to football — the House that Belichick and Brady Built.

They will hang on their every move as the 80 men in uniform begin the yearly ritual known as NFL training camp.

After a stunning end to their season six months ago, the New England Patriots begin anew with the first of dozens of sessions in preparation for their regular-season opener just over six weeks hence, on Sept. 7.

Whereas last year’s camp was highly anticipated because of the many new faces — Adalius Thomas, Donte Stallworth, Wes Welker, Randy Moss — this year’s is interesting for different reasons. As with all pro-football fans, it raises hope, but for the Patriots, there is also a sense of unfinished business.

If the moves the team has made work out, this year’s New England team could be even better than last season’s. That’s not to say that they will flirt with an undefeated slate again, but in terms of sheer top-to-bottom skill, the 2008 Pats could have the edge.

There is no shortage of storylines the faithful will be looking at, and here are just a few:

Will Jerod Mayo be there? As of late last night, there was no word that the Patriots’ first-round pick and the team had come to an agreement on a contract for the 10th overall selection. He’s far from the only first-rounder not inked yet, and it won’t be the first time New England doesn’t have its number-one pick on the field for the first session of camp. But Mayo is learning probably the most difficult position on the defense, middle linebacker, and can benefit from every minute possible on the field and in the classrooms.

The impact of Dom Capers. After spending 16 years as either a head coach or defensive coordinator, a man of Capers’ stature doesn’t take a step backward to secondary coach, even if it does allow him a great chance to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 1999, when he was guiding the defense in Jacksonville. Which is where his other title, special assistant, comes in. Capers is well-versed in the 3-4, but is known for being able to generate pressure in various ways from the formation. As camp goes on, seeing whether there are any new wrinkles in the Pats’ defense and trying to determine whether they are his doing will be a fun exercise.

The development of the on-field relationship between Tom Brady and Randy Moss. It’s amazing to think that Brady and Moss put on the type of performance they did last season without the benefit of a full training camp. Lest we forget, Moss pulled up with a hamstring injury just five days into camp and didn’t return to the field until the season opener — and what a season opener that was (9 catches, 183 yards, one amazing touchdown). Clearly, the two have an easy rapport, but imagine the possibilities with a full season and full camp together.

Are Junior Seau and Troy Brown really done? With the eventual signing of Mayo, New England will be at the league-roster limit of 80 players, so for the immediate future it seems unlikely that either will be back with the team. But Seau, who had shoulder surgery in the off-season, hasn’t ruled out returning for his 19th season, and last month Belichick said the team hadn’t ruled out brining him back. At 39 years old, Seau’s body would welcome a break from training camp, so he could make an appearance in a few weeks. The Patriots told Brown that they wouldn’t be bringing him back, but he hasn’t signed with another team. A couple of injuries, and No. 80 could be back.

The affect — or lack thereof — Super Bowl XLII had on Stephen Gostkowski. One of the memorable moments of that game was the Patriots forgoing a 49-yard field-goal attempt on fourth-and-13 in the third quarter. Whether that perceived lack of faith in the third-year kicker stays with him remains to be seen. Gostkowski converted a league-record 74 extra-point attempts last season, but was just 1-for-2 in postseason field-goal attempts, both in the divisional round against the Jaguars. As a former college relief pitcher, Gostwkowski may be able to let it roll of his back and start fresh.

Come one, come all: camp is in session. TRAINING CAMP KICKS OFF

TODAY

First session: 8:45-10:30 a.m.

Second session: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

TOMORROW

Single session: 2:30-4:30 p.m.

smanza@projo.com