It’s only May, but the way the Patriots roster is starting to shape up, there are going to be some intriguing positional battles that will loom this spring and summer in New England. Here’s an early look at what should be the best: Running back: Brandon Bolden vs. LeGarrette Blount. We’re going to leave Stevan Ridley out of this one, because any running back who rushes for 1,263 yards in a season before the age of 24 has won the starting job, as far as we’re concerned. (In fact, the only back in Patriots history who had a better season before the age of 24 was Curtis Martin, who ended up with 1,487 yards in 1995 at the age of 22.) In addition, Shane Vereen will be primarily working as the third-down back and Leon Washington will show his value primarily on special teams, which leaves the two bruisers fighting for time behind Ridley as backups. First, Blount: As a rookie in 2010, the 6-feet, 247-pounder (247 pounds? Yikes) rushed for a career-best 1,007 yards on 201

For a long time, it's been the one missing piece of the Patriots passing game. New England had an elite slot receiver, top-level tight ends and dependable targets out of the backfield. And while Randy Moss was the only truly special outside threat the Patriots have had in recent years, they have had several other smart and crafty outside receivers who have done more than their share when it comes to helping move the sticks. The only missing piece has been that oversized receiver with better-than-average speed. With the exception of Moss, those outside-the-numbers guys have all been relatively undersized. Ultimately, what New England has truly lacked has been a vertical speed receiver who could help put some stress on opposing defenses by stretching the seam, but still had the size to beat press coverage. A physical guy with some wheels. The Patriots have tried and failed with a handful of guys in that role over the years, including Brandon Lloyd, Chad Jackson and Chad Johnson, but all

For the last couple of years, the Patriots have searched for a linebacker who could work in coverage. Last season, the New England pass defense was gashed on several occasions by tight ends and running backs -- according to ESPN Stats & Information, the Patriots yielded 176 receptions to tight ends and running backs (sixth most in the league) and 1,767 receiving yards to running backs and tight ends (most in the league). A quick rewatch of theAFC title game reveals that while the injury to cornerback Aqib Talib affected New England’s pass defense, it’s clear New England struggled to defend the middle of the field against the Ravens passing game all afternoon. While Jerod Mayo, Dont’a Hightower and Brandon Spikesall have made gains in their pass defense over the last year-plus (Spikes, rather remarkably, finished last season with seven passes defensed), New England could use a bigger defender who can run with tight ends, running backs and (occasionally) wide

Nope. Don’t think so. Keep moving. Patriots coach Bill Belichick needs to resist what must be a powerful impulse and make the decision not to sign Tim Tebow. Belichick always has had an appreciation for the nontraditional, and he’s shown an ability to not just talk the talk, but walk the walk when it comes to bucking conventional NFL wisdom. How else do you explain Stephen Neal? Chad Johnson? And while Tebow does have some aspects to his game that might make him a salvageable NFL prospect, the next chapter of his journey should be written somewhere else. When examining a Tebow-Patriots pairing, let’s start with the obvious: It’s not like Tebow would have to sell himself in New England. Belichick always has had a thing for the Florida program, and there are several former Gators in the New England organization who are on the record as being big fans of Tebow. That’s not even taking into account the history he shares with Josh McDaniels -- the former