"One hundred seventy days have passed since the Patriots suffered one of the most devastating defeats in team history, a loss that spoiled not only a fourth championship in seven seasons but a shot at immortality and a perfect 19-0 season.

Today, coach Bill Belichick officially turns the page as the club’s 2008 training camp kicks off with double sessions. He embarks on a new campaign with the same goals and grand prize still in sight. And with a few exceptions, the team that went 18-0 before suffering the ultimate crusher in Arizona back in February remains intact.

Gone are defensive backs Asante Samuel, Randall Gay and Eugene Wilson along with linebacker Rosevelt Colvin from the defense. Wide receiver Donte Stallworth and tight end Kyle Brady are the primary losses on offense.

Offseason additions and draft choices were geared around the defense, specifically at linebacker and defensive back. An emphasis was placed on providing a fresh injection of speed.

Another important addition to the team, perhaps a sleeper of sorts, was the signing of Dom Capers, a former head coach and defensive coordinator who will now serve as secondary coach/special assistant to Belichick.

With all of this as a backdrop, here’s a look at six key issues facing the team moving forward:

1. How will they cope with the hangover?

Based on statistics alone, Super Bowl-losing teams don’t fare very well the following season. Seven of the last 10 Super Bowl losers have not returned to the playoffs, much less achieve winning records.

Add to that the disappointment associated with that game - coming so close to achieving what no other team in history had accomplished - and it’s possible the mental aftershocks could hang around for a while.

Then again, the devastation could provide the impetus for the club to come back with a vengeance and finish the job.

That might not result in perfection, but it might be the motivation to get back to the Super Bowl, and produce a different result.

Belichick has already laid down the edict that the Super Bowl is in the rear-view mirror, the distant past.The team is moving on. It’s a familiar Belichick refrain and mantra. Still, it’s going to be interesting to see if he can shepherd the team past this hurdle as well as he has others."