At cornerback, veterans Leigh Bodden and Shawn Springs caught way too much heat for New England’s pass defense issues. Remember, this is a defense that lacks much of a pass rush. These two are still starting caliber, particularly Bodden (an unrestricted free agent).

The younger guys are the problem. Surely they will improve, but Darius Butler, Terence Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite collectively did little to get excited about in 2009. If Bodden is retained, the Pats squeak ahead of the Bills as the second-best secondary in the division. Without Bodden, Buffalo has a distinct advantage.

The Jets, as you might imagine, topped this list.

But this has long been a trouble spot for the Patriots, and the fact that they're second in a division with four pretty secondaries shows there's been progress. Of course, even better if they re-sign Bodden and the young guys develop ...