Continuity at left tackle, left guard and center. Left guard Logan Mankins is one of the top players in the game.STRENGTH

WEAKNESS

Uncertainty on the right side. Right guard Stephen Neal was knocked out of Super Bowl XLII with a knee injury and did not take part in on-field work in the offseason, while right tackle Nick Kaczur has looming off-field concerns regarding the purchase of OxyContin.

TOP QUESTIONS

Was the offensive line’s disappointing performance in the Super Bowl a sign of things to come, or an aberration? Can third-year man Ryan O’Callaghan (7 career starts) step in at right tackle for Kaczur if necessary, or would it be veteran Oliver Ross and third-year man Wesley Britt?

INSTANT ANALYSIS

A key for a successful offensive line is when every player sees the same picture in front of him, which is why continuity year to year is often stressed as a key. The Patriots seemingly had that with every lineman returning, but instead, the line currently faces some uncertainty with Neal and Kaczur. If everyone returns, this is a solid group with players in the early-to-prime years of their career. The feeling here is that the Super Bowl performance is not a sign of things to come, and that the line will rebound, assuming things come together on the right side. This was a unit that performed well over the course of the 2007 season, but had its worst game at the worst time.

FUTURE

With the market for top guards exploding, the key player is Mankins, whose deal expires after the 2009 season. Other top linemen and when their contracts expire: Left tackle Matt Light (2010), center Dan Koppen (2011), right guard Stephen Neal (2009), right tackle Nick Kaczur (2009), center/guard Russ Hochstein (2008), center/guard Billy Yates (2009), right tackle Ryan O’Callaghan (2009), swing tackle Wesley Britt (2008) and right tackle Oliver Ross (2008).

STRENGTH

Kickoff return game. The Patriots employ one of the NFL’s more explosive kickoff return units. The kickoff return crew ranked fourth in kickoff return average in 2007, at 25.2 yards. The success often helped the club win the all-important field-position game.

WEAKNESS

Distance in the kicking game. Although Stephen Gostkowski was 21-of-24 on field-goal attempts during the regular season, his long was 45 yards (which partially was a result of the club employing such an explosive offense). Then in Super Bowl XLII, the club passed up a potential 48-yard field goal -- on fourth-and-13 -- early in the second half.

TOP QUESTIONS

Can Gostkowski generate consistency and confidence from plus 45 yards? After fending off a spring challenge from two other punters, is Chris Hanson in the clear? Who steps in as the primary return men if the Patriots decide to preserve cornerback Ellis Hobbs (cornerback) and receiver Wes Welker (receiver) for their "full-time" jobs?

INSTANT ANALYSIS

Special teams coach Brad Seely is one of the best in the NFL, and the performance of New England special teams units reflects his influence. Also to be noted is how the club devotes large chunks of practice time to special teams, which past players have pointed out is different from some other clubs for which they’ve played. One of the Patriots’ initial free-agent signings this year was receiver Sam Aiken, who is known for his special teams prowess, and he should help the coverage and return units. Rookies Terrence Wheatley (2nd round) and Matthew Slater (5th round) have a chance to emerge as returners. Linebacker Pierre Woods led the club with 22 special teams tackles in 2007.

FUTURE

Kicker Stephen Gostkowski is signed through 2009, while this is the final year of punter Chris Hanson’s deal. Long snapper Lonie Paxton re-upped this offseason on a one-year deal – with the club paying a $150,000 signing bonus, a nice figure which reflects how the team values his often-overlooked role.

STRENGTH

Depth, versatility and physical play. The team’s top four safeties – Rodney Harrison, James Sanders, Brandon Meriweather and Tank Williams – all bring something a little different to the club, and aren’t shy about mixing it up with contact.

WEAKNESS

Open-field speed. It only becomes an issue when caught out of position, which seldom happens.

TOP QUESTIONS

Will Brandon Meriweather, the team’s 2007 first-round draft choice, emerge as a major contributor? Can Rodney Harrison, entering his 15th NFL season, continue to play at such a high level? How will the playing time be distributed between four starting-caliber players?

INSTANT ANALYSIS

One of the underappreciated aspects of Harrison’s game is his ability to play a linebacker-like role, which was seen in last year’s win over the Colts when the defense played a 4-3 alignment but with Harrison as a linebacker. Such flexibility allowed the defense to technically have five defensive backs on the field, but still be aligned in a base 4-3 set. With Williams joining the team, the Patriots now have a second option. Meriweather offers similar flexibility but in a different way – he can drop down and cover receivers in the slot as a corner (similar to Eugene Wilson). That is a nice luxury in today’s NFL, with more and more teams spreading the field. Mark Dillard (rookie free agent) and Ray Ventrone (3rd year) round out the depth chart, while veteran Lewis Sanders, more of a cornerback, could also see time here.

FUTURE

This is the final season on both Harrison and Sanders’ contracts. Williams inked a one-year deal as a free agent this offseason. Meriweather is signed through 2011

STRENGTH

Experience/intelligence. Between Fernando Bryant, Ellis Hobbs and Jason Webster – three top players on the depth chart – there are a combined 20 seasons, 244 career regular-season games played and 216 career regular-season starts.

WEAKNESS

Playmaking void. Asante Samuel, who departed to the Eagles in free agency, totaled 16 interceptions over the last two regular seasons, and had 22 in his five years in New England. The combination of Bryant, Hobbs and Webster -- the projected top three players on the depth chart at this time – has 24 interceptions over a combined 20 regular seasons.

TOP QUESTIONS

How will the loss of Asante Samuel affect the club? Will any of the team’s under-the-radar free-agent moves – Fernando Bryant, Jason Webster, Lewis Sanders – pay off with a big reward? Will Hobbs, who had surgeries for a hernia and on his shoulder this offseason, be recovered? Will second-round pick Terrence Wheatley and/or fourth-round pick Jonathan Wilhite emerge as a regular contributor on defense? Will special assistant/secondary coach Dom Capers, in his first year with the club, have a major impact?

INSTANT ANALYSIS

Cornerback figures to draw some of the most attention in training camp because of the turnover at the position, with Asante Samuel (Eagles) and Randall Gay (Saints) departing in free agency. The loss of safety Eugene Wilson (Buccaneers), who could drop down and play in the slot, should also be factored into the equation – although Wilson had dipped low on the depth chart by the end of last season (with Brandon Meriweather overtaking him, and offering similar flexibility). It will be interesting to see who is at the position on the opening of camp, and the projection here is that Bryant is likely to be lining up at Samuel’s old spot. If Hobbs is not yet fully cleared to practice medically, then Webster would be the choice on the opposite side. Mike Richardson (2nd year), Lewis Sanders (9th year), Antwain Spann (3rd year), Terrence Wheatley (rookie, 2nd round) and Jonathan Wilhite (rookie, 4th round) round out the competition.

FUTURE

Hobbs is signed through 2009, while Bryant, Webster and Sanders all inked one-year deals in the offseason. Wilhite signed a four-year deal last Friday, while Wheatley – as of late Sunday night – had yet to officially sign. Richardson, who had a competitive training camp in 2007 before landing on injured reserve after the third preseason game, is inked through 2010.

STRENGTH

Intelligence, versatility, and physicality. Given the complexity and diversity of the team’s scheme, it helps to have heady players who can handle adjustments in the middle of the defense, play different roles, and be willing to take on contact.

WEAKNESS

Uncertainty in the middle. If the Patriots line up with Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas as outside linebackers in their 3-4 alignment, that puts Tedy Bruschi, Victor Hobson and Jerod Mayo as the top options in the middle. At this time, both Hobson and Mayo are projections, as Hobson has not played inside in a 3-4, and Mayo, while a first-round draft choice, has not played an NFL game.

TOP QUESTIONS

What type of rotation, if any, will be employed with the inside linebackers? Will Adalius Thomas shift more permanently to outside linebacker? Can Pierre Woods continue to develop at outside linebacker and add needed depth? How much will third-round draft choice Shawn Crable contribute, and in what role?

INSTANT ANALYSIS

Given the team’s personnel at linebacker, it appears as if Adalius Thomas will see more work on the outside from the get-go. He seemed to be explosive in Super Bowl XLII as a rusher, so that change could help spark the overall defense. But for Thomas to lock in on the outside, the Patriots will need to feel comfortable with their personnel inside, so the progression of Jerod Mayo will be an important storyline in camp. Also, Victor Hobson played on the line of scrimmage at outside linebacker in the Jets’ 3-4 alignment the last two years, but now he’s off the line on the inside, another adjustment worthy of monitoring. Junior Seau could always return in a pinch, but for now, nothing is imminent or on the horizon with his situation. Overall, the linebacker crew seems to have versatile parts to aid the defense in putting various packages on the field at different times.

FUTURE

Of the players near the top of the depth chart, Victor Hobson has the shortest deal, as he inked a one-year pact in the offseason. Tedy Bruschi (2009) and Mike Vrabel (2009) have two years remaining, while Adalius Thomas is signed through 2011. Jerod Mayo has yet to sign what will likely be a five-year or six-year pact.