By TERRY NAU

Sports editor

Tom Brady is 31 years old and has a sore foot. That’s the least of the New England Patriots’ problems, from my way of thinking. I’d be more worried about a first-team defense that got pushed off the ball on Sunday night in the first quarter of what became a meaningless 27-10 preseason loss to Tampa Bay.
Watching inside linebacker Tedy Bruschi get squashed by a Buccaneer lineman is a sad reminder that this core veteran, this team leader, is becoming a detriment to the defense. Tampa Bay emphatically moved the ball downfield in the first couple of series, running the ball straight at New England’s front seven, and blowing them off the ball. That’s just basic football. If this latest Patriots’ defense can’t stop the run, how can it stop the pass?

Sure, it’s just a preseason game. That’s why they play four of these things before the season begins for real. But if the Philadelphia Eagles have success this Friday night controlling the football against New England’s first-teamers, it might be time for Patriots’ fans to get a little worried.
Even though New England won 18 straight games that counted last season before falling short in the Super Bowl, one could make a case that this eight-year-old dynasty has peaked. Winning three Super Bowls in four years was an amazing achievement in this day and age. But three seasons have passed since the Patriots prevailed in a Super Bowl contest. They got eliminated early in the 2005-06 playoffs, then went down to the wire last February, losing in the final minute when the defense just ran out of gas, and answers, down the stretch.
Yes, Asante Samuel did drop a Eli Manning pass that should have been intercepted, and certainly he could have tried to knock the ball out of David Tyree’s hands a few plays later, instead of gawking as the Giants’ defender made a circus catch, but those are just the laments of teams that lose games. Samuel is gone now, having earned himself a huge contract with the Eagles, and what have the Patriots done to replace him in the secondary?
Head coach Bill Belichick and defensive coordinator Dean Pees will figure out a way to stop opposing running games because that’s what they do. Even though the aging linebacking corps is in the midst of change, there’s still enough size and talent and experience among the front seven to neutralize most offenses that will face the Patriots this season. But what about the secondary? Ellis Hobbs will always be vulnerable at the cornerback slot, and veteran safety Rodney Harrison isn’t getting any younger.
On a positive note, New England’s offense should put points on the board … unless the offensive line can’t protect Brady. That’s what happened in the Super Bowl loss to the Giants. New York’s defensive game plan will be copied by Patriots’ opponents this season. Of course, most teams don’t have the same type of talent that the Giants boasted on their front seven. But it’s still a cause for concern.
And then there’s Tom Brady. He’s just being smart, staying out of preseason games to heal whatever is wrong with his ailing foot. But the preseason loss to Tampa Bay exposed New England’s weakness at backup quarterback. The irony of that game is the Bucs were showcasing three of their backups and each of them was successful. With starting QB Jeff Garcia watching from the sidelines, veteran Brian Griese completed nine straight passes on the opening touchdown drive. Luke McCown then came in with a solid performance and former Bucs starter Chris Simms also showed well in the second half.
Once Tampa Bay decides on its backup quarterback, the Bucs might be tempted to trade someone – perhaps Chris Simms – in the week before the regular season begins. Simms will come at a serious price – perhaps a second-round draft choice. New England should seriously consider meeting that price, just in case Tom Brady begins showing his age this season.