The Pats have made plenty of transactions since the stunning Super Bowl loss to the Giants, but other than DB’s Tank Williams and Fernando Bryant, I can’t see any of them stepping in and contributing anywhere but in special teams. If most of these guys play significant minutes due to a rash of injuries, the Pats “D” is in serious, serious trouble. Williams and Bryant, on the other hand, were good signings who, while not making up for the loss of Asante Samuel, will at least help.

In my mind, the signing of LB Vincent Hobson was the best move of the off-season thus far. The 5-year veteran is young enough to assist an aging group, yet experienced enough to play in a Belichick system that apparently is much too complex for rookie linebackers to pick up. (How else would you explain the reluctance to use any early round draft choices on the position?) Hobson played for Eric Mangini, who no doubt runs some of the same schemes he learned from his former mentor-turned-arch enemy, so the transition should be relatively smooth. And judging by the stats, this is no Monte Beisel (I’ve been a special-teamer but now I’m ready to be an integral part of the defense) signing.

That’s the view from here…how do you see things? How would you rate the Patriots off-season thus far? Best move? Worst? What are they doing draft day? Or, what SHOULD they do?