In 2007, the tight ends were injured to the point of being worthless. Neal, who was playing excellent football that season, got injured early and the replacement was already injured himself. Brady was trying to recover from a bad ankle injury and was unable to move much in the pocket. Mankins, who's area of 'weakness' is a relative difficulty dealing with stunts, had the worst game of his professional career.
That's why a team that had scored in the 30s against the Giants a few weeks earlier only managed to get into the teens in the Super Bowl.
In 2011, a tight end has a sprain which may limit him, but shouldn't render him moot. Brady has a shoulder issue, but he can play through that with an occasional off pass here and there. The O-line should have better depth in case of another injury to a lineman.
This 2011 team should be able to put more points on the board this time around.