The bye week is a good time to step back and evaluate your team, what they’re doing well and what needs to change. With that in mind what areas might Bill Belichick be looking to improve upon after reviewing the Patriots first six games?
1. Corner roulette – with the release of Leigh Bodden it’s clear that changes are coming in the secondary. Is Antwan Molden ready for a significant role at nickel corner? Will Sergio Brown bounce back after being a healthy scratch in the Cowboys game? If so, there’s a chance he could be the fifth defensive back on the field, at least until Ras-I Dowling gets healthy. If he ever gets healthy.
2. Safety Dance – Josh Barrett had been the starter alongside Patrick Chung early in the season but was derailed by injuries. James Ihedigbo was a physical presence filling in for him, but lacks the kind of range in the back end desired.
3. Can Ochochinco get in the top quatro – Chad Ochocinco has yet to make a significant impact and should’ve benefited from a week off. The Patriots love to spread the Steelers out, could this be the time Ochocinco becomes a significant part of the game plan?
4. If Vollmer returns where does he return – Nate Solder has been as solid as you can ask a rookie tackle to be but Vollmer was an All Pro last season. It’s probable that Vollmer will be eased back in regardless of how the depth chart plays out. But in heavy formations with the ability to line up Solder, Vollmer and Gronkowski all next to each other the Patriots should have a fearsome short yardage offense.
5. Can Tom Brady get back on track – The final drive against Dallas has buried the talking point of the Patriots scoring fewer and fewer points in each progressive game this season. Brady’s TD to INT ratio is a strangely human 2-1 at this point. It’s really only a question of when he gets back to his mistake-free ways, but this would be a great week to get it, especially with the Steelers inability to force turnovers.
