Not really much to add to last night’s Patriots exhibition opener (there I go, calling them “exhibition” games again…the NFL’s not gonna like that).

Without Randy Moss and Dante Stallworth suiting up, and most regulars barely playing, it’s tough to pass any judgment on what we saw or get overly excited about it. You’re certainly not going to get anything definitive from Bill “We did some things well, we did some things not so well, we’ll move forward and look to improve next week” Belichick. What I would like to do is make a brief observation about something I see developing, and then turn it over to you folks for your comments on the game and the Pats.

The wide receiver position is loaded…so loaded, don’t be surprised if Chad Jackson begins the year on the PUP list (or even sits out the entire year) whether he’s entirely healthy or not. I count four definite roster spots right now; Moss, Stallworth, Wes Welker, Troy Brown. From all reports, Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell are having very good camps…that makes six. The team usually carries five, though Brown’s versatility and special teams ability may allow them to go with all six when healthy. Assuming a nagging injury or two on a week to week basis (a good assumption in the NFL), Kelly Washington may survive the final cut.

Where does that leave Jackson? For now, on the outside looking in, if you ask me. Belichick probably won’t cut last year’s second round pick without getting a chance to see him fully healthy. Plus, he does appear to posses an awful lot of talent, so he’s going to get a full shot at some point. I just see it coming next year instead of in ’07.

Which, when you think about it, tells you all you need to know about how strong the team is this year at one of their weakest spots last year. The player they were counting on to be their go-to guy when they drafted him may not have any role right now.

What did you think of the game? How about the receiver position? Is my take on it pretty accurate, or do you see another scenario playing out?