NE drafting Ingram after signing Hodel was a surprise, leading me to wonder if there was still some doubt about Hodel's knee. Gostkowski spoke to both men working hard during OTAs, which is standard fare for NE media from the team, but we'll take it at face value.
If I had to pick one LS to make the team before Camp starts, I'd have picked Hodel, longer track record on this stage and previous experience with the ST's Coach. If Ingram had any chance at sticking with the team I'd have said he might spend time on the Practice Squad - it seems the Pats are thinking something similar and trying to hedge their bet in case Hodel gets hurt. It's their right to offer a package they prefer and gamble on Hodel staying healthy, but it's also pretty cold. They could have had a couple decent LS candidates as UDFAs, they could have waited and drafted Ingram with on of the 7th round picks, instead they went by their draft value scores and took the highest rated player at a position of need - which to me demands they quit jerking the kid around and get him in camp.