Dependent on Dillon?

Boston Globe football writer Nick Cafardo answers your questions about the Patriots. Click here to submit a question for next week ...

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Last Sunday the Pats really showed a weakness when Corey Dillon couldn't play. In the past, this team had no problem winning without a running game. Now, it seems they're dependent on Dillon. Do you think that's the case, and if so, is there a solution?
Tony, Revere

A: Great question, Tony. It surprised me that they were unable to go back to their dink and dunk passing attack. Clearly they've changed the offense this season to one where Dillon provides the running game while Tom Brady has been asked to throw the ball down the field. I'm surprised they weren't able to revert to last year's offense. I give the Steelers credit, they concluded what others have, that you have to pressure and blitz Brady to rattle him. The difference was the Steelers were able to get there, and they got there because Dillon wasn't in the lineup to pick up blitzes and the Patriots offensive line was banged up.

Now that it's over, do you think the Patriots' 21-game win streak will be surpassed ... ever? Did we just witness the greatest streak of football of all-time?
Walter, Dorchester

A: I'm sure it will be broken sometime, but probably not for a while. I think time will view it as a truly amazing run. It's too bad the coach and some of the players didn't enjoy it more while it was going on. I think they'll look back and wish they had had more fun with it. It's also a shame that it coincided with the Red Sox' run at the World Series championship because it was overshadowed by the Sox. How ironic it would end the same week the Sox won for the first time in 86 years?

If Ty Law needs to miss a significant amount of time with his ankle injury, are the Pats in big trouble?
Ryan, Richmond, Va.

A: Ryan, conventional wisdom is the Patriots will be in trouble, but let's see. Overcoming adversity has been a big part of the success of this team and right now they're facing a major challenge. Belichick usually loves these challenges and I think he'll come up with something to hide what ever weakness the Patriots will have in the secondary, whether it's playing more zone, disguising more coverages, doing more zone blitzing where linemen or linebackers pop back to cover receivers and backs. What ever it takes, I can't wait to see what Belichick, Crennel and Eric Mangini have up their sleeve.

I have been wanting to ask this question since preseason but to be honest it's hard to criticize when you are undefeated. Now I have no problem asking it especially since they had five rushing yards against the Steelers. Why did they release Mike Cloud? He seemed to be a perfect back-up running back with plenty of experience. ... Kevin Faulk has never been a traditional running back so I don't buy the argument that they can use him if the need arises.
KC, New Jersey   Continued...