Pats’ offense now gets to see where it stands

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The one thing many observers of the New England Patriots want to know now is whether their offense is finally back on track.

Today, when the Miami Dolphins visit Gillette Stadium at 1 p.m., some answers might be given.

They’ve put up some impressive numbers against two horrible teams prior to the bye week. If New England can shake off the rust, the Miami Dolphins, despite a 3-4 record, might be a better measuring stick.

“I would say that the Patriot offense I’ve seen in the last couple weeks is the real Patriot offense,” Miami head coach Tony Sparano said. “What I mean by that is I’m sure, like anybody else, time makes you a little bit better and a little bit sharper. Those guys look pretty sharp right now.”

Indeed, this may be the Patriots’ time. They come in at 5-2, and have a tough stretch of five games during which two are against Miami, another against the Jets – there’s the division right there – and the others are against high powered offensive teams Indianapolis and New Orleans on the road. But there aren’t many secrets any more as most teams are done experimenting and have developed their true identity.

“You’re trying to get your players in the best position possible so that they can go make plays,” Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said. “Over the years, we’ve done that. I think that’s why I have always enjoyed the latter part of the season because your team is what it is at that point. You’ve really seen what the other defenses can do.

“At this point, what we’ve seen on Miami’s defense, that’s what it is. That’s the way they play. Like I said, they do some things very well. You have to understand the things that they do well and try to keep them from doing those things.”

Here’s one thing the Dolphins don’t do well: Stop the big play. Miami has given up eight completions of 40 yards or more. That could have Brady, if he has time to elude old friend Jason Taylor and outspoken Dolphin linebacker Joey Porter in his own backfield, licking his chops.

Sparano knows the big play is the Patriots’ main weapon when they’re firing on all cylinders.

“They are very explosive,” he said. “They have a lot of playmakers, a lot of weapons – of course, all driven by a quarterback.” Last year, in the Patriots’ win at Miami, the Dolphins decided to single cover Randy Moss. Don’t expect the same thing this time.

As Sparano said, “That didn’t work out too well.” No, not after Moss burned the Dolphins for eight catches for 125 yards and three TDs in a 48-28 rout.

And the Dolphins don’t think Brady has lost his fastball, either.

“No, he still throws the ball,” Porter said this week. “He’s still accurate. He’ll still pick you apart if you leave him time. I mean, looks like the same old Tom Brady to me.

“I mean, they’ve got all the weapons, let’s be honest. They’ve got the guys on their offense that can move the ball. Our job is to (disrupt) all this and don’t let them feel comfortable like they feel. My intention is not to let Tom Brady have a nice day just sitting back there in the pocket, patting the ball, waiting for Wes (Welker) to get open and Randy to get open and those guys. We want to have somebody in (Brady’s) face, hitting him, getting him on the ground as many times as possible.”

Porter will be matched up, along with fellow pass rusher Jason Taylor, against rookie Sebastian Vollmer at left tackle with longtime starter Matt Light likely still out with a bad knee. That will be interesting to watch, as will what the Patriots defensive line does with the absence of Jarvis Green, out with knee woes. That likely leaves an opening for rookie Ron Brace to step in. Remember, defensive lineman Ty Warren has also been bothered by a bad ankle.

Both teams see today as a major opportunity. The main reason the Patriots didn’t make the playoffs last year is because they lost to Miami and the Jets at home.

“To win a division, you have to play good in the division,” Brady said. “You’re not going to win the division and be 3-3 every year. We’re 1-1 in the division right now and we have four key division games coming up and this one is right at the top of that list.” And it’s a long, defining list at that.