FROM the moment Logan Mankins and Sebastian Vollmer were declared physically unable to perform at the start of training camp, to Tom Brady getting chased down and strip-sacked in the exhibition opener against the Saints, to Brian Waters' enduring failure to report, much of the fretting over the Patriots this preseason concerned the offensive line.

And understandably so. Matt Light retired after protecting Brady's blind side for a decade. Waters was a Pro Bowler last year. Longtime center Dan Koppen was cut late in camp. Mankins and Vollmer are both returning from serious injuries. Stable for so long, suddenly everything seemed in flux.

At least for a week, though, there proved no need to worry.

There will be tests tougher than the Titans, of course, considering Tennessee had more sacks than only one NFL team a year ago, and barely upgraded during the offseason. But en route to a 34-13 win in their season opener, the Patriots made the statement that between their personnel and their playcalling, their line is indeed capable of providing the protection and punching the holes necessary to keep New England's offense operating at a level consistent with the lofty expectations established over prior years.

“It's something that we've been working on all preseason. It hadn't really come together until this week, with Logan being in there a lot, Sea Bass (Vollmer) coming back,” said Brady. “There was quite a bit of depth at that position, it was a very competitive training camp ...

“I'm extremely comfortable and confident in those guys.”

Many of Brady's fans weren't saying the same before Sunday, uncertain of whether the work in progress would be ready for public viewing before the games began to count. But under the tutelage of position coach Dante Scarnecchia, the unit was up to the task. Even on a day that wasn't without its challenges.

Starting right guard Dan Connolly didn't return after a third-quarter collision left him woozy, though for the game the Patriots allowed Brady to be sacked just once and hit only four times in his 32 dropbacks, and were arguably more effective in the running game than in their pass blocking. A group that featured Nate Solder, Mankins, Ryan Wendell, Connolly and Vollmer at the start, and got contributions from Donald Thomas and Marcus Cannon off the bench, paved the way for Stevan Ridley, Danny Woodhead and Aaron Hernandez to pile up 150 yards on 28 hauls (5.4 per carry) before Brandon Bolden took over with the game out of reach.

It wasn't perfect, as Ridley had nine of his 21 attempts gain one yard or less, but there were enough good plays to offset the not-so-great. And the design of the Patriots' offense should help ease the process as the line continues to make progress.

In his return to New England, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels did an excellent job of balancing the offense between the run and the pass, and in doing so never let the Titans' defense get a sense of what was coming. He also did well in calling plays that enabled Brady to get the ball out of his hand quickly, while having Brady at the helm is a big benefit, too. Not only is he almost unrivaled as a decision-maker, but his ability to steer the offense without huddling should enable him to draft the defense in undesired personnel packages, and that should make the line's job easier, too.

There should be a better sense of where the line is at over the coming weeks, with games against the Ravens, Bills and Broncos waiting after the Cardinals — and their own decent pass rush — come to Foxborough for the home opener. Those will be more challenging than Sunday was, and those preseason worries could resurface if it gets ugly one particular week.

But, as before, remember that it's a work in progress. They may not be as good as they once were, but Sunday suggested they're good enough.

And that there's no need to worry.

“I don't know what the deal was up front. We didn't get to the quarterback enough,” said Titans defensive tackle Jurrell Casey. “Just missed hitting gaps on the run, and not getting pressure on the quarterback in the pass. We missed, and they were executing. That's it.”

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WES WELKER quietly tied Troy Brown for the Patriots' franchise record in receptions, though more has been made of his lack of use than of his equaling that all-time mark (557). The league leader in receptions a year ago, Welker caught just three balls for 14 yards. He was targeted just five times, and was on the sideline for about a third of his team's offensive snaps.

Considering Rob Gronkowski and Hernandez were targeted a total of 13 times — catching six balls apiece — and Brandon Lloyd snagged five of the team-high eight balls fired his way, it could be evidence that the offense is moving away from its reliance on Welker. However, it should be noted that games like Sunday's are not unprecedented in his time with the Pats.

Last year against Kansas City he caught two balls for 22 yards, and had five regular-season contests in which he failed to crack even 50 yards receiving — yet he still made 122 grabs for 1,569 yards. And Sunday was actually the 10th time in his 78 games as a Pat where he's caught three passes or fewer.

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THE PATRIOTS converted on 50 percent of their third-down chances, despite Brady completing just two of six throws in that situation. The reason? His accuracy on earlier downs, which often left the team facing third-and-short.

The quarterback completed 13 of 16 passes on first down, and 8 of 9 on second down. Not coincidentally, New England finished the day by moving the chains more often on the ground (13) than through the air (12).

Dave D'Onofrio covers the Patriots for the New Hampshire Union Leader and Sunday News. His e-mail address is ddonof13@gmail.com.