The Patriots did not play with a true fullback in 2011, and it remains unclear if they will do so in 2012. Regardless of whether they do or not, short-yardage situations will remain an area of focus, as the team often turned to throwing the football in such a situation last season. Short-yardage situations help an offense establish grit and a hard-nosed mentality. On Friday night, the Patriots did failed to do so on three straight plays.