The Patriots are about to reach the midway point of the 2008 preseason, and by now, it's safe to assume that some position-group battles are starting to resolve themselves.

But there are still plenty of questions to be answered, and the Patriots have time in which to do it. The first NFL-mandated cut isn't until Aug. 26, nine days from today, and it only requires that five players be lopped off the roster.

That's something Bill Belichick and his staff could do in their sleep, and still not resolve the most challenging questions facing them as they strive to pick the 53 best players (and the 45 that will face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 7).

But after 24 practices and one preseason game - with another on the docket at 8 tonight in Tampa against the Buccaneers - trends are beginning to develop and clues are being revealed about the directions in which Belichick might take his roster.

The following is a position-by-position estimation of how those position groups have fared thus far in the preseason, and what moves might be anticipated before Labor Day: QUARTERBACKS

AWFUL: As this is written, Tom Brady has yet to step onto the field for his first snap, so the assessment of this position cannot include his anticipated performance.

What was reinforced in the preseason opener was that if Brady goes down for an extended period of time with an injury - and the law of averages is making that a much more likely possibility as each minute ticks off the clock - the Patriots are screwed.

Matt Cassel is proving every day that there's a reason why he never got playing time in college, and those reasons don't necessarily include Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart. He simply can't play.

Matt Gutierrez appears to have come back down to earth a little after his unexpectedly strong showing in last year's training camp, and third-round pick Kevin O'Connell's first game had hints of the 2007 Gutierrez in it. Those two still have a lot to prove, but it appears that Cassel has proven all he can prove at this point.

RUNNING BACKS

LUKEWARM APPROVAL: And that's just because LaMont Jordan appears to be an interesting addition to the position group.

Laurence Maroney's 6 yards-on-six carries performance against Baltimore had the look of a player who thinks he's assured a roster spot without making the requisite effort, which is probably the case. Jordan ran hard against the Baltimore JV squad, but still has to prove he can do it against the No. 1's - and it would be nice to see some of that receiving ability in action. Meanwhile, Sammy Morris has looked less than sharp in practice, leading some to believe that his sternum-clavicle separation from last year isn't as healed as advertised.

Heath Evans is a lock at fullback and Kevin Faulk still seems to have plenty left in the tank for his third-down role. It's a bit of a shame there's no room for BenJarvus Green-Ellis (looks like a case of the Hellenic Flu coming), who has shown a few flashes and is a member of the All-Name Team.

OFFENSIVE LINE MODERATE CONCERN: The ongoing absences of Matt Light (unknown reasons) and Stephen Neal (knee rehab) will be more worrisome if they persist into the regular season. Neal can remain on the PUP list because he hasn't been active yet, but Light practiced for the first few days and then disappeared.

So far, it appears that Wesley Britt has emerged as a legitimate candidate to start at one of the tackle slots. But if the Patriots slide Nick Kaczur over to the left side, Brady should check to make certain his life insurance premiums are fully paid and up-to-date. Billy Yates has been a somewhat scary replacement for Neal, and the revolving door of aging waiver pickups hasn't produced anything worth writing home about.

WIDE RECEIVERS

SLIGHT CONCERN: Wes Welker got lots of rest early in camp, but Randy Moss has been practicing since Day One and has looked ... well, like Randy Moss. Jabar Gaffney has also been reliable in his workouts, but the question remains where the Patriots are going to find depth.

Kelley Washington and Sam Aiken are primarily special-teamers who are nursing injuries and not practicing. C.J. Jones had the night from hell in the Baltimore preseason game, and may have to shine tonight in Tampa to gain redemption. And then there's the case of Chad Jackson, who should be nicknamed "Route 1A" because he seems to always run alternate routes to the ones called in the huddle.

Matt Slater will probably hang around as this year's Troy Brown, but don't be surprised if a waiver-wire acquisition makes this team.

TIGHT ENDS

HIGH CONCERN: This isn't looking good. Benjamin Watson has struggled to catch passes on a consistent basis this camp and David Thomas, while practicing occasionally with the first-string, has also continued to be breakable. Marcus Pollard is older than dirt, but seems to have had the most consistent camp of the trio.

Beyond them are Stephen Spach and Jonathan Stupar, the flotsam and jetsam of the position group. One or both will probably be on the roster at some point this season.

DEFENSIVE LINE

SATISFIED: Not much to dislike here.

Richard Seymour appears to be healthy, Vince Wilfork is a little leaner and meaner, Ty Warren is solid and Jarvis Green and Mike Wright are back in action. The only question is one of depth, and which players among Le Kevin Smith, Kenny Smith and a Smith to be named later will make the roster.

LINEBACKERS

INTRIGUING: The bright spot has been the play of the youngsters, Jerod Mayo, Sean Crable and Gary Guyton, as well as younger veteran Pierre Woods. Mayo looks like a starter in the making, which is the shot of adrenaline this aging position group needs. And among the veterans, the difference between the Adalius Thomas of 2007 and this year's model has been noticeable and distinctly more comfortable in the Patriots' system.

The disappointment has been Victor Hobson, the ex-Jet, who appears to be struggling in his effort to convert from the outside to the inside. One also wonders if, with the abundance of special-teamers elsewhere on the roster, Larry Izzo might be at risk.

All things considered, the Patriots may have enough talent on hand to let Junior Seau stay on his surfboard a little longer.

CORNERBACKS

MODERATE APPROVAL: Terrence Wheatley appears to be able to play. Antwain Spann has been consistent in practice and may be the surprise of the position group. Lewis Sanders hasn't looked bad, either - whereas Fernando Bryant may need to have a good game next time out to erase the stigma of the first series of the Baltimore game. Ellis Hobbs hasn't been active long enough for a thorough evaluation, and rookie Jonathan Wilhite needs to get healthy or fall further behind. Sadly, Mike Richardson has also been nicked up and hasn't been able to follow up on his promising 2007 training camp, and Jason Webster has also been an injury no-show.

SAFETIES

APPROVAL: Rodney Harrison has been getting some senior time off, and James Sanders has been dinged up, but the position group should be OK. Brandon Meriweather looks as it he's made continued progress, and the addition of nine-time Pro Bowl participant John Lynch should pay dividends if he's been sipping from Seau's fountain of youth. The loss of Tank Williams hurt because he had position versatility.

RETURN GAME

INTRIGUING: Slater is the wild card here. The former UCLA wide receiver and returner is also playing cornerback, so if he can prove himself able to handle the demands of three different phases of the game, he'll have a nice rookie year. Welker, Hobbs and Jackson are among those still involved with the return game, which appears to be in good stead.

SPECIALISTS

LUKEWARM APPROVAL: Stephen Gostkowski hit three field goals from decent length against the Ravens and boomed his kickoffs, but a lot of people would still like to see him staring down a 48-yard game-winner with four seconds left to play to really judge if he's got the right stuff. Chris Hanson is adequate as a punter, and long-snapper Lonie Paxton should be able to place his order now in order to keep his locker refrigerator filled with Red Bull for the season.

MARK FARINELLA may be reached at 508-236-0315 or via e-mail at mfarinel@thesunchronicle.com. Read Farinella's blog, "Blogging Fearlessly," at thesunchronicle.com/farinella.