UnPatriot-like problems continue to hurt - will they rebound before the bye week?

After the loss to Josh McDaniels and the Denver Broncos, it is time to reflect a bit more on the 2009 New England Patriots. This is not your team of the decade as the Patriots continue to struggle offensively with Tom Brady playing the lead role in disappointment. Add to this the poor performance of a third receiver like Joey Galloway - oh I'm sorry he doesn't play, just practicing and getting a paycheck - so not having a third or fourth receiver threat, a first round bust in Laurence Maroney and poor coaching decisions on defensive packages and play calls and you have a recipe of something you would not even want your mother-in-law to have. Usually Belichick has a plug and play team, but you cannot replace Brady or Josh... oops - sorry there is no offensive coordinator (right Bill? um Belichick or O'Brien), the gap is too big behind Galloway and with Fred Taylor hurt Sammy Morris is good but not an every down back, Maroney seems lost (did you look at him on the sidelines in the fourth quarter) and the Law Firm never breaks out from special teams. Right now these areas are hurting this team. Okay, so maybe I am being too hard on the team. I never expected the team to be undefeated this year. Maybe more like 12-4 with a loss or two in the AFC East and versus the Ravens and the Colts. So heading into the bye week at 5-2 is not necessarily a bad thing. Now the question is IF the team may head into the bye week with only two losses. In theory, that may be a possibility facing a winless Tennessee Titans team this week and possibly a winless Tampa Bay team in week after they face the Carolina Panthers. So who is helping this team? Vince Wilfork is a BIG guy (and he looks bigger in the all-white retro uniform) and he is having a stellar year, which will only add to the value of his contract - unless he is franchised. He not only is stopping the run and putting pressure up the middle, but for such a big man he is following plays and making tackles towards the sidelines. he has been consistent all year. Mike Wright had a quiet game with only one tackle, but in spite of the 'Wild Pony' plays was not beat. His previous pressure and sacks were missing this game, but he has been consistent and reliable player since becoming a starter. Gary Guyton continues to call the plays and be in on every down. Guyton was all over the field this last game and with Jerod Mayo now back (although looking a bit slow reacting on a few plays) both of these players should lead to a repackaged 3-4 after the bye week. Brandon McGowan was a player some thought may not even make the team after training camp, yet now starts over James Sanders. Sure Sanders is hurt and been missing tackles, but McGowan has been a hard hitting machine, making tackles, forcing fumbles and recovering them as well. Brandon Meriweather continues to improve and be the guy we hoped he would be after being drafted in the first round. His tackling needs to improve a bit and although the coaches had him sitting back too far this week, he has stepped up after the retirement of Rodney Harrison. Ben Watson has been playing better than ever. Also in a contract year, I expect him to be in Denver next season. But in the meantime, Watson has been a big target with Wes Welker coming off the knee injury. Who needs to help this team? Adalius Thomas has been quiet when the team needs him. Maybe it is because Richard Seymour is no longer on the line, but Thomas has not delivered much since his heralded arrival. Derrick Burgess/Tully Banta-Cain - a few Raider trades have been busts and Banta-Cain was released by a 49ers team that is having success. I'm not say, but I'm saying... Sebastian Vollmer has an opportunity and big shoes to fill in order to protect Brady. If Brady was skittish before, Vollmer has to prove he can protect Brady and not get beat up as a rookie. Kevin Faulk has been quiet this season. This is mostly due to the play calling, but in most games, one would think he would be in to block for Brady and maybe skip out of the backfield for short yardage passes. he is being underutilized. Joey Galloway, Brandon Tate or Terrence Nunn - One way or another someone has to come in as a third receiver and pose a threat. Galloway is a puzzle at the moment, for the coaches Nunn is a known commodity on the practice squad and Tate may be able to come back from his knee injury and possibly play this year. Is Tate the threat we are hoping for? IN BILL WE TRUST!!