State of the Position is a new weekly Foxboro Blog feature that will examine the post-draft status of each position and take a look at what needs still need to be filled before the season opens up.

Today we will examine the safeties.

While the Patriots appear set at tight end and running back, the safety group is also one of the team’s strongest areas.

Led by two-time Pro Bowler Brandon Meriweather, the steady James Sanders and the emerging Patrick “Pat” Chung, the group boasts both talent, youth and experience.

Drafted 24^th overall in 2007, Meriweather has been a full-time starter since the middle of the 2008 season.

After leaving “The U” with the most tackles by a defensive back (293), Meriweather was expected to be the next great Hurricane safety.

Despite his Pro Bowl selections, his play hasn’t always matched his hype.

While he has recorded 12 interceptions during the last three seasons, he has also been burned for big plays and frequently takes poor angles and isn’t a great tackler.

However, he also played the most snaps of any Patriot safety in 2010, which could be a sign of trust by Bill Belichick.

2011 could be Meriweather’s last season with the Pats unless he becomes more consistent in coverage and run support.

As hot-and-cold as Meriweather runs, Sanders is a steadying presence.

The former Fresno State standout is a consistent player who makes up for his lack of elite athleticism with smarts and leadership.

He doesn’t post great statistics (his career high in tackles is 71 back in 2007), but he has a knack for making timely plays as evidenced by his interception against Peyton Manning last season.

Sanders is an underrated player who is a key cog in the back end.

One reason the future looks bright at safety is Pat Chung.

The team’s top pick in 2009, Chung emerged as a valuable playmaker after a nondescript rookie season.

The 5-foot-11, 212-pounder recorded 96 tackles and three interceptions and was part of a historic performance against the Dolphins in week four when he recorded five tackles, two blocks, an interception and a touchdown.

Chung is an aggressive player who will also need to become more consistent, but could have a Rodney Harrison-type impact.

The Pats have a few intriguing players rounding out the depth chart in Bret Lockett, Sergio Brown and Josh Barrett who can contribute on special teams.

State of the Position Grade: B+

It's time once again for a Q&A session.  Instead of swapping questions with the "enemy", this week we're turning to a friend.  Erik Frenz is a big-time Patriots fan who coverst the team over at Bleacher Report.  Erik was kind enough to share his thoughts on the Pats with us below.  Once you're done reading, be sure to check out his work on Bleacher Report and also follow him on Twitter!

1. What grade do you give the Patriots for their 2011 NFL Draft class? Best Pick? Worst Pick?

I might be in the minority here, but I give the Patriots a B+ for their draft. Sure, they didn't go after that marquees pass rusher that everyone clamored for, but Belichick has said that he has confidence in the current group of guys at outside linebacker, and I can't blame him. Eric Moore came on really strong at the end of 2010, and that was without any time to really learn the system. The sooner these guys get back to a real offseason, the better off the outside linebackers will be as a group.

The best pick, to me, was Marcus Cannon. He had a Day 2 grade on him before he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma., and he could end up being the steal of the draft if he recovers fully after chemotherapy. My least favorite pick is the Malcolm Williams pick. The 7th round, 219th pick was the perfect opportunity to take another low-risk high-reward option at outside linebacker, and if there's one area that I'm critical of Belichick, it's the fact that he really hasn't taken enough chances on those pass rusher types. I understand needing guys that fit the system, but that's their biggest need. Might as well throw some darts at the board and hope a few of them hit.

Do you want Plaxico Burress on the Patriots?  Why or why not?

Stephen: A big, aging receiver who offers only one skill and a ton of headaches? No thanks, we had Randy Moss in 2010. I would not take on Plaxico Burress because of his age, time away from the game and knack for off-the-field and chemistry issues. The Pats did themselves a favor by shipping out Moss sooner than later, and taking on another potential headache in Burress would only set them back. This team has a premier red zone threat in Rob Gronkowski and a bunch of younger receivers who need more playing time. Burress can fill a role as a possession/red zone player, but not for this team.

Around the NFL is a weekly feature on Foxboro Blog offering an irreverent (and sometimes humorous) look at some of the top news stories from the NFL. Read at your own risk!

• The biggest news this week was Plaxico Burress’s release from prison. Wearing a Philadelphia Phillies cap may have tipped his hand regarding where he’d like to play next season. I guess he couldn’t do much worse on the mound than Kyle Kendricks every fifth day.
• Speaking of players in trouble with the law, Kenny Britt was arrested this week for obstructing justice and resisting arrest after detectives detected an odor of marijuana coming from his rolled cigar. I’m going to eschew the easy “if I played for the Titans, I’d try to escape the pain with recreational drugs too” joke. This incident took place a day after he was in court due to a speeding charge. I think we can safely add him to the list of stars who should never be allowed to leave their homes unless they are headed to practice or games. But hey, at least he’s not Aqib Talib.
• The aforementioned Bucs CB was indicted this week for firing a gun at his sister’s boyfriend. There is an important lesson here for all young men – don’t date Aqib Talib’s sister.
• Ohio State Buckeyes QB Terrelle Pryor announced that he’d be taking his talents to the NFL for the 2011 season. He is now free to receive compensation for an autograph that nobody could possibly be interested in.
• Alex Smith expects to be the starting quarterback for the 49ers next season. I expect to become a relevant blogger and successful health and fitness coach next year. Never discount the power of positive thinking!
• NFL players and owners met for two days of talks sans lawyers, and Patriots owner Robert Kraft and many others have reported some progress. Taking the lawyers out of the equation is interesting. I wish they had thought of this sooner. How on earth will the lockout ever end if the parties that are negotiating the deal are the ones who stand to reap the greatest benefit from a prolonged work stoppage? I’m no lawyer, but put me in that situation, and I'd work my ass off to ensure no football is played until 2045, at which point I would retire and buy my own island. Is it too late for law school?
• The “NFL in LA” crew have held talks with five teams regarding a return to downtown Los Angeles. You think it’s tough to breathe the thin air in Denver? Try catching your breath in downtown L.A. You’d be better off chain smoking Kenny Britt’s cigars in the huddle. Still, I don’t think it’s likely a team will move there. It will be a tough sell to get a team to relocate to a city that is scheduled to fall into the ocean next winter. Trust me, I saw the video. If John Cusack says it, you can take it to the bank!

State of the Position is a new weekly Foxboro Blog feature that will examine the post-draft status of each position and take a look at what needs still need to be filled before the season opens up.

Today we will examine the running backs.

For the first time since the days of Corey Dillon, the Patriots featured a 1000-yard rusher.

While he doesn’t possess top-end speed, elite agility or size, former undrafted free agent BenJarvus Green-Ellis does one thing well: run hard.

The 5-foot-11, 215-pounder rushed for a team-high 1,008 yards and 13 touchdowns in his first season as a starter.

What’s most impressive about “The Law Firm” is his ability to make positive plays (something Laurence Maroney failed at).

BJGE averaged at least 4.0 yards per carry in all but four games, highlighted by a 17-carry, 112-yard performance against Minnesota in Week 10.

Because of his lack of dynamic athleticism, he isn’t an asset on passing downs, but that’s where Danny Woodhead comes in.

The tiny Division II Heisman winner was cut by the Jets, and in true Belichick fashion, he made them pay.

Woodhead rushed for 547 yards on 97 carries (6.7 average) and five touchdowns while catching 34 passes for 379 yards.

His quickness and ability to pick up yards after contact make him invaluable in the running back rotation.

With Sammy Morris, Fred Taylor and Kevin Faulk all slated for free agency, the Patriots decided to address the running back position early in the 2011 draft.

Their second-round pick, Shane Vereen, is a player to watch this season.

If he impresses in training camp (assuming the lockout is over in time), Vereen could take away snaps from BJGE since he offers more in the passing game.

The final back to round out the stable is third-rounder Stevan Ridley.

While I’m not a big fan of his draft position, Ridley is a grinder who could fill a BJGE-type role as a late-game finisher.

He rushed for more than 1,000 yards in the SEC last year, and is a definite goal-line and short-yardage option.

Overall, this group has a lot of versatility and each player has a definite role in the offense. If the two rookies can contribute early, this group should definitely be set up well for both the present and the future.

State of the Position Grade: B+

This play actually came during the pre season, but I thought it was cool enough to make the cut for the Top 12.  With a Rams defender clinging to his leg, Big Rob Gronk hopped the final yards to the end zone and put six on the board for New England.  It was a nice preview of things to come as Gronkowski's physicality contributed to a number of TD's for the Patriots in 2010.

Which starter would you most like to see replaced?

Stephen:  The one starter I would most like to see replaced would have to be Tully Banta-Cain. Although he didn't finish the season as a full-time starter, he did play a high number of snaps, but he was largely ineffective. I can live with Jermaine Cunningham at one spot, but another season of Tully's poor run defense and one-move pass rushes must be upgraded.

Rick:  The starter I would bench is Darius Butler. Butler last year would be the third corner, but was never a good player in coverage last season. He would always be dominated by his man. I just keep picturing that game in Week 2 against the Jets where Braylon Edwards made him look like he was back in college. He will get his chance again in the future, but Leigh Bodden is back and they have their second round pick Ras-I Dowling ready to go. Butler did not impress as much as guys like Kyle Arrington and Patrick Chung did last year with significant playing time.

Derek: I love the Law Firm, but if BJGE isn't starting for the Patriots on opening day (and he's not hurt) that's a very good sign for the Patriots.  It likely means that 2nd Round Pick, Shane Vereen had an impressive pre season and stole the spot away from Green-Ellis.  The Patriots would clearly benefit from having a power running game to take some pressure off of Brady. After Belichick passed on Mark Ingram, there's a lot of pressure for Vereen to perform.  Here's hoping for both him and the Patriots, that he doesn't disappoint.

One of the problems that faced the New England Patriots in the playoffs was that they did not have a deep threat receiver. Randy Moss leaving may have helped the team in the locker room, but it hurt them on the field. When free agency eventually begins there will be many options for the Patriots to replace Moss as a deep threat and, fortunately, they will not come at a steep price. There are three wide receivers with troubled characters that the Patriots could be looking at in the next few months.

1. Steve Smith (Carolina) – The Panthers’ wide receiver needs a change of scenery, especially with all the different quarterbacks Carolina has had in the last few seasons. Now, it's possible that the Panthers take another shot with Smith now that Cam Newton is in the fold, but he might be available via trade. The price for Smith would likely be in the neighborhood of a 2nd-3rd round pick. The Patriots happen to have two second round picks in the 2012 NFL Draft. New England knows what Smith can do from the 2003 Super Bowl and Bill Belichick could likely get a lot out of Smith, who has an affordable contract over the next 2 years. He is only 32, so it would be wise for the Patriots to consider giving this guy a shot and allow him to have more than 42 catches.

2. Plaxico Burress (Free Agent) – The former New York Giant who shot himself in a nightclub is getting out of jail on Monday. He cannot dictate his terms of a contract in any deal, so this is where New England can make a decision on whether or not to take the risk and sign him. If there are no other options fold though, I would take a chance on Burress. As we saw with Michael Vick, jail can be a humbling experience and Plaxico will be a different character than the guy that showed up late to all the Giants' team meetings. He is still a threat downfield and if he shows that he still has it in training camp or in a private workout, why not give him a shot? The media storm surrounding Burress will not be as big in New England as it would be if he re-signed with the Giants or went to go play for Rex Ryan and the Jets.

3. Chad Johnson (Bengals) – This is the guy I really want the Patriots to sign. The former Ochocinco is great friends with Bill Belichick and will probably not act up if he becomes a Patriot. It is almost certain that owner Mike Brown will release Johnson once the lockout is over. Keep this in mind before you call me crazy for wanting to add Johnson's "personality" to the Patriots. When Johnson was the number one receiver for the Bengals in 2009, he still had over 1000 yards receiving. Then, Terrell Owens came in and the circus began. Johnson has a lot to prove to himself, the media, and to Marvin Lewis. I think he still has some game in the tank and if he can have a team mindset, he would be a great player here in Foxboro.

State of the Position is a new weekly Foxboro Blog feature that will examine the post-draft status of each position and take a look at what needs still need to be filled before the season opens up.

Today we will examine the linebackers.

It seems like the same old story: Who will put pressure on the passer?

Ever since the Super Bowl loss to the Giants, the Patriots’ linebackers have taken a significant step back in both talent and production.

Bill Belichick broke his trend of passing on linebackers in round one by selecting Jerod Mayo in 2008.

All he’s done since then is earn Rookie of the Year honors and All-Pro status last season.

In 2010 he took two Florida linebackers: Jermaine Cunningham and Brandon Spikes. Both players contributed early on, with Spikes stepping in as an effective run stuffer.

Cunningham put pressure on the quarterback, but clearly has to finish better.

However, both players look like they will fill two starting spots in this linebacker corps for years to come.

Beyond Cunningham and Spikes, a 2010 undrafted free agent proved to be better than his draft status would indicate.

Former Montana State defensive end Dane Fletcher showed playmaking ability as a subpackage linebacker, recording 23 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and an interception in limited duty.

With Mayo, Spikes, Fletcher and Gary Guyton filling out the depth chart, the inside linebacker spot is a strong point for this young defense.

All four players are still maturing and can contribute in specific roles as Guyton and Fletcher are better suited for passing downs while Spikes is a two-down beast.

However, the real problem still remains at outside linebacker.

Last year, Tully Banta-Cain entered the season as one starter after posting double-digit sacks in 2009. Apparently someone forgot to remind him that over half of those came against the Buffalo Bills’ pathetic offensive line.

By season’s end, Banta-Cain was no longer starting as journeyman Rob Ninkovich earned more playing time.

Like Fletcher, Ninkovich is a hard worker who made some big plays, highlighted by his two-interception effort against the Dolphins.

While he may not have great upside, I think Ninkovich definitely has the ability to be an effective player in a rotation.

Beyond Ninkovich and Cunningham, the other options are underwhelming at best.

Eric Moore made an impact in limited duty after being signed as a free agent, but there are questions about his ability to hold up over a 16-game season.

Sixth-round pick Markell Carter has some physical ability, but he will quickly realize the jump in competition from Arkansas State and the NFL is drastic.

Overall, without a proven pass rusher, this group is below average.

State of the Position Grade: Inside Linebacker: B+    Outside Linebacker: C-