The Pats defensive backfield is pretty weak and it may not hurt them this week, but down the road how much do you think this will hurt you? Do you just plan on winning 42 37 every week?

With the offensive line cracking and events like Junior Seau (being ?), we even read an article suggesting Ty Law would be a good move for the Pats (capital of sports journalism indeed), is there a sense that this is the decline of the Roman Empire, or is this just a burp in the road?

Also, I have theory Bellichick wants to treat this like a pre-season game and not risk Brady’s tender foot for more than a series or two. What say you? That secretive? That arrogant? Is it arrogant?

• Is Jared Mayo right now justifying that 10th overall pick? It’s hard to say an interior linebacker in a 3-4 justified such a high pick. Most people feel it was a reach, but has he shown tremendous ability to justify it? Speaking of linebackers, how has Shawn Crable looked on the edges? Will Bo Ruud make any inroads? Is this the sign that Belichek is going younger at the linebacker position?
• Does Wheatley and Wilhite look to be an immediate contributor in the backfield?
• Does Kevin O’Connell look overwhelmed, as many thought he would be? Or have you seen enough flashes of promise to know he’s got a future?

How worried are Pats fans not only about Brady but who is the lucky player to replace him in the case that he is out for an extended period of time?

How do Pats fans respond to those that call them “cheaters”? Do they have a point (even if it is actually a small part of the game)?

I’m not talking about the offense, obviously Matt Cassel did nothing to impress… I’m talking about the 1st team defense that got shredded by nearly every opponent. Even Tampa Bay came out and smoked the 1st team Pats D. Are finally seeing the repercussions of having aged veterans fill the D year after year? Or is this just another play by New England to make everyone think they’re worse off than they are?

Proverbial window closing on the current team.