So, what is needed for the Patriots to snap their now three-game postseason losing streak in the 2011 playoffs?
Although the offensive line played well much of this past season - Brady also helps make them look good by his quick recognition and release - the protection wasn't what it should have been against the Jets in the playoffs, and veteran left tackle Matt Light may be looking for more money than he's worth in his upcoming contract talks.
As for the Patriots, while hard-running BenJarvus Green-Ellis became the first New England back since Corey Dillon in 2004 to rush for more than 1,000 yards, the Pats' running game is set up by Brady's passing rather than the other way around.
A young back with breakaway potential would further enhance an attack that, while highly productive last season, could break down completely if Brady, who'll be 34 in training camp, goes down with an injury.
While some would argue that the Patriots' prolific production after the departure of Randy Moss shows they can get by without a dangerous deep threat, others - and I would be one of them - would say it's always a plus for an offense, especially one with Brady at the controls, to have a big-play receiver who can score from anywhere, at any time. They don't have one right now.
Defensively, the return of a healthy Ty Warren, who missed all of the 2010 season with a hip injury, should significantly bolster the defensive line, which was a bit of a patchwork down the stretch.
Every team craves a dominating pass rusher, but those guys are hard to come by, so don't expect the Pats to come up with one next season, even though they have draft picks aplenty - six in the first three rounds, and three in the top 33.
That prospective infusion of young talent is, however, yet another reason for optimism in New England.
The State of Patriot Nation, it appears, is better than the State of the Union.