Ron Borges

This was an offseason of loss for the Patriots. They lost to the Denver Broncos in the playoffs to end their season, then never staunched the bleeding as veterans Willie McGinest, Adam Vinatieri, David Givens, Tom Ashworth, Christian Fauria, Matt Chatham and Tim Dwight all defected, and wide receiver Deion Branch held out through the entire preseason in a contract dispute. The Patriots made no effort to sign any of them so it was their decision, but they have to replace them all, which might be more trying than they think.

One key player was to have been inside linebacker Monty Beisel, who struggled last season. He continued to have problems this summer, so much so that the Patriots talked 17-year veteran Junior Seau out of retirement to play on first and second downs. With Tedy Bruschi breaking a bone in his wrist, Beisel's failures became even a bigger problem to overcome, because it left New England's depth non-existent at the linebacker position.

The season will open with Seau and Mike Vrabel on the inside and Rosevelt Colvin and former seventh-round choice Tully Banta-Cain outside. Banta-Cain will be hard-pressed to make anyone forget McGinest any time soon but he's the future, at least for now.

Safety Rodney Harrison was a big question mark when training camp opened with him on the physically unable to perform list after blowing out his knee early last season. Harrison rehabbed diligently and got back on the field. He won't be what he once was when the season opens, but if he continues to regain his confidence and retains enough quickness to stuff the run at the line, he'll be an improvement over what went on a year ago after he left. Behind him Artrell Hawkins and James Sanders are ready to step in if necessary.

Offensively, No. 1 pick Laurence Maroney looked like what the Patriots thought he was, the best back in the draft.

He is quick to the hole and runs every play as if it's going for a touchdown. He has shown explosion, speed and the ability to avoid the initial hit, things aging Corey Dillon used to do. Dillon will open the season as the starter, and he and Maroney offer an interesting 1-2 punch, but it will be a surprise if Maroney isn't the lead back by the end of the season.

Dillon sandwiched a 1,600-yard season two years ago between the two least productive ones of his career. At 32, he has shown little to lead anyone to believe he's reversed the slide most backs face after turning 30, but the Patriots have a young runner ready to step in when ever he's needed.

With Givens gone to the Titans and Branch holding out and trying to get traded, New England is still searching for a No. 1 and a No. 2 receiver on a roster that might not have either. Second-round draft choice Chad Jackson has been a disappointment, hurt all summer, and free agent Reche Caldwell was a bust in San Diego and has shown few signs he's ready to change. If Branch continues his holdout into the season as he's threatened to do, it means more pressure on quarterback Tom Brady and explosive but still untested tight end Benjamin Watson.

Watson has unusual speed and size, and he showed flashes last season that he could become the league's next premier tight end. This could be a breakout season for him and without Branch, it will have to be.

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Two things the Patriots can count on are the offensive and defensive lines. They'll be doing that, and relying on Brady, who has proven his mettle time and again.

Hot seat
Stephen Gostkowski. The rookie kicker beat out Martin Gramatica, but can he replace the most reliable pressure kicker in pro football history? The Patriots play close games, and departed Adam Vinatieri won 19 of them, including four in the playoffs. Now he's kicking in a dome for their rivals in Indianapolis while Gostkowski has to prove that a fourth-round pick from Memphis has not only a big leg but also an accurate one, because his margin for error won't be much.

Overheard
Concerns remain about the play of the secondary. Cornerbacks Asante Samuel and Ellis Hobbs will start to open the season along with Eugene Wilson at one safety and Harrison at the other. Wilson could end up playing nickel corner or even more, however, if production doesn't improve in the secondary. Production there has gone from 29 interceptions and 11 TDs allowed in 2003 to 20 and 18 in 2004 to 10 picks and 25 touchdowns allowed last season. That trend needs to be reversed, and Samuel and Hobbs have to be a big part of that. If they aren't, Wilson may end up at corner.

Outlook
The Patriots are not as dominating as they used to be, and they finally have some competition in the division from the Dolphins. But as long as Tom Brady stays in one piece and that defensive line is healthy, they'll be tough to beat for the division title with the schdule they've been handed.

Prediction
First.

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