EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the fifth part of a nine-part series previewing the 73rd annual National Football League draft of college players. Today, the offensive linemen are previewed.

FOXBORO - Before Super Bowl XLII, the Patriots' offensive line was being hailed as a well-oiled machine, playing at a high level in the prime of its collective career and locked up contractually to give New England an impenetrable safety net around Tom Brady for years to come.

After the 17-14 loss to the New York Giants in Phoenix, however, the Patriots' offensive line had been "exposed" as soft against pass-rushers with speed and strength, and wildly overrated at two or three positions.

Which is the truth?

As with all things, it's probably somewhere in the middle of those extremes. But with the 73rd annual NFL Draft approaching this weekend, it behooves Patriots' coach Bill Belichick and personnel guru Scott Pioli to consider the possibility that their offensive line is in need of upgrades. At the end of a long, pressure-packed campaign, the Patriots' offensive line did not cover itself in glory in the 17-14 loss to the Giants in Phoenix. Both tackles, Matt Light and Nick Kaczur, were overmatched by New York's speedy and physical pass-rushers. Left guard Logan Mankins also had one of the worst games of his young career. Add to that the continuation of Stephen Neal's inability to stay healthy and on the field, and that all added up to a recipe for disaster for what had been the most productive offense in the National Football League.

If there is an inherent weakness to an offensive line that allowed only 21 sacks of Brady, it could be the constant need to use a tight end as another blocker when Light is challenged by an outside rusher like Miami's Jason Taylor or Indianapolis' Dwight Freeney. Left tackle is the most important position along the line because it is the last line of defense for a right-handed quarterback's blind side.

Kaczur's less-than-stellar performance on the right side is also a measure of concern, and Neal's nagging injuries appear to be chronic in nature, so it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility for Belichick and Pioli to be thinking in terms of picking an offensive lineman - even as early as the No. 7 pick.

The scouting services agree that there may be as many as 15 linemen - eight tackles, four guards and three centers - worthy of selection in the first two rounds. Even if the Patriots trade down in the first round, which is possible, a solid player will still be waiting for them at both tackle and guard. Beyond the second round, the tackle ranks are still rich with quality prospects.

The best tackle of them all, Michigan's Jake Long (6-7, 313; 5.25 seconds in the 40-yard dash) won't be there for them unless they trade up - and the Miami Dolphins were negotiating with him in advance of the draft to make that an impossibility. Long would have been a nice fit with his familiarity with gap blocking schemes in addition to his sheer size and strength, but he's too good to be on the board for long.

Boise State's Ryan Clady (6-6, 309; 5.25) has very long arms and the potential for a killer build, but the scouts see room for improvement in his physique and his technique, and playing for a smaller school didn't expose him to the strongest challenges on the other side of the line. Still, many believe he's a top-10 pick.

Should the Patriots feel a more pressing need at guard, Virginia's Branden Albert (6-5½, 309; 5.41) has a tackle's size and arm length but seems to be more suited to an interior position where mobility isn't as much of a priority. Weight-room commitment could make him versatile enough to play either guard or tackle. The seventh overall pick may be a reach for him, but trading down would match his financial value to his ability.

The richness of the tackle crop also lends credence to the theory that the Patriots could trade down and still pick up an immediate contributor.

Vanderbilt's Chris Williams (6-6, 315; 5.1) and Pittsburgh's Jeff Otah (6-6½, 322; 5.57) might be immediate upgrades at right tackle with the capability of challenging on the left side. Boston College's Gosder Cherilus (6-6½, 313; 5.14) brings the typical BC traits of physicality, toughness and a highly competitive nature to a potential first-round selection and starting job on the right side.

Southern Cal's Sam Baker (6-4½, 309; 5.3), whose father is the commissioner of the Arena League, might be a good bet early in the second round for someone looking for a right tackle. Auburn's King Dunlap (6-8½, 310; 5.28) is almost too thin for his height, and a good weight-room plan could turn him into a third-round sleeper. Other quality prospects to be found at tackle in the middle rounds include Virginia Tech's Duane Brown, Nebraska's Carl Nicks, Kansas' Anthony Collins and Texas' Tony Hills. Oregon's Geoff Schwartz and Clemson's Barry Richardson, both over 6-foot-6, might be worth a look in the later rounds.

There's a large drop-off in talent in the guard ranks after Albert, but Oregon State's Roy Schuening (6-3½, 306; 5.35), Toledo's John Greco (6-4½, 305; 5.33) and Southern Cal's Chilo Rachal (6-5, 315; 5.26) all have the size and athleticism to be versatile and worth selection before the end of the second round.

Jeremy Zuttah of Rutgers, Heath Benedict of Newberry (S.C.) College and California's Mike Gibson could be on the board for the Patriots with their late fourth-round pick. Tennessee's Eric Young, Texas-El Paso's Oniel Cousins, Northern Iowa's Chad Rinehart, Pittsburgh's Mike McGlynn, Southern Cal's Drew Radovich and Connecticut's Donald Thomas are all worthy considerations through the seventh round, and the small-school surprise of the lot is Bentley's Mackenzy Bernadeau (6-3¾, 292; 5.32), who might have the tools to make it to someone's practice squad and develop over time.

With Dan Koppen in place, the Patriots won't have much need for a center. The best of the lot is Arizona State's Mike Pollak (6-3½, 301; 5.05), whose quickness and strong fundamentals project him as an early second-round pick. Wake Forest's Steve Justice (6-3¼, 293; 5.21) and Notre Dame's John Sullivan (6-3½, 301; 5.43) are likely to be available late in the third round, while Texas A&M's Cody Wallace and Buffalo's Jameson Richard project as late-round picks.

Boston College's Kevin Sheridan is the latest in a line of Eagle centers who should get a look from the pros, probably as a priority free agent. BC guard Ryan Poles may also get a look in someone's camp.

WEDNESDAY: Tight ends.