As we sit precisely two weeks away from the start of the 2008 Patriots season there are many concerns coming out of Foxborough. After a couple of embarrassing preseason performances the Patriots sit at 0-3. There are questions about the defense which at times has seemed to simply watch opposing running backs, questions about the special teams which somehow allowed a punt and a kickoff returned for a touchdown on Friday night. Then there is of course the issue of who has been leading the Patriots offense to this point. The reigning NFL MVP, Tom Brady has not seen any preseason action as a result of yet another undisclosed foot injury. Officially it is a “sore foot” that has kept the Patriots iron man, who has started 127 consecutive regular season and playoff games out of game action. With Brady out of action the preseason has turned into a nightmarish what if experience for the Patriots and their fans. The Pats trio of Matt Cassel, Matt Gutierrez and 2008 draft pick Kevin O’Connell have mostly struggled as they have tried to lead the offense. Matt Cassel may in fact be losing his grip on the number two spot in this his contract year. Gutierrez put on a clinic in the second half of Friday’s Eagles contest. Although it was mostly garbage time in a game decided by the Patriots lackluster special teams, Matt went 14-20 for 217 yards and two touchdowns.

For an organization that at one point was 18-0 last season, they have technically now dropped four straight games. That has left many observers in New England asking what is wrong with this football club. But before everyone starts to panic it’s important to realize that it is really just the preseason. Coach Belichick would rather be blown out then reveal any schemes of importance that could be studied ahead of the regular season. Also believe it or not there are some positives to be taken from this postseason. A lot of the defensive issues that were harped on throughout the off season seem to have taken care of themselves. The Patriots two rookie linebackers Jerod Mayo (1st Rd) and Shawn Crable (3rd Rd) have lived up to expectations adding much needed speed to the Pats secondary. The Pats defense has also been bolstered by the presence of 9-time Pro Bowler, safety John Lynch. Although he joins a rather deep safety corps with Brandon Meriweather and Rodney Harrison, his talent and leadership will be a great addition for this club.

The Patriots last preseason game will be Thursday night against the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. One would assume that just the sight of those Giants helmets would be enough to motivate the Patriots. But with various aspects of the Patriots play needing fine tuning anything besides good, smart football will have to take a back seat for now. The Patriots have a history of less than stellar preseason play, in fact their 2004 Super Bowl winning club went only 1-3, so everyone just take a deep breath and start worrying about Brodie Croyle and Week 1, see what I’m getting at. So New England take some advice from Mika, “Relax, take it easy….”

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Tags: Jerod Mayo, New England, Nich Hall, Patriots, Shawn Crable, Tom Brady