FOXBORO -- The loss of wide receivers David Givens and Deion Branch from New England to Tennessee and Seattle, respectively, doesn't bode well for the Patriots.

Givens left via free agency during the offseason. Yesterday, Branch was granted his wish for a trade and now New England coach Bill Belichick has some work to do to improve the passing game. Everyone knows quarterback Tom Brady can deliver a pass in a timely and accurate fashion. Now, someone just needs to be there to catch it.

On Sunday, Belichick started rookie Reche Caldwell (2 catches for 33 yards) and veteran Troy Brown (2 catches, 18 yards and 1 touchdown). Other than those two receivers, Brady connected on passes to tight ends Ben Watson and Daniel Graham, and running backs Kevin Faulk and Corey Dillon. During Branch's recent holdout, the Patriots acquired receiver Doug Gabriel from the Oakland Raiders in exchange for an undisclosed draft pick, but did not use him on Sunday. The 26-year-old is still getting acclimated to his new team's playbook, and until he does, he won't be catching any passes. He's also been hampered by a sore hamstring.

"We think he can help our football team," said Belichick. "That's why we traded for him. He's like every other player that comes onto our team -- they need to learn our systems and learn what their assignments are. We'll use him when we think he can help the football team."

Belichick said Gabriel has done a nice job in practice, and believes the 6-foot-2, 215-pounder will also be able to help out on special teams.

On Sunday, the Pats signed rookie receiver Bam Childress off the practice squad to the active roster, and released Jonathan Smith. Rookie Chad Jackson was questionable last week with a hamstring injury and didn't play Sunday. He also has been watching tapes and studying the playbooks.

"Chad is a good learner and a smart kid," said Belichick of Jackson, the team's second-round draft choice (36th overall) from Florida last June. "He understands the passing game, and we saw that in the spring. You have to go out on the field and do it."

The possibility of the Patriots making a trade for another wide receiver was brought up during the news conference yesterday, but Belichick answered in his normal fashion.

"At any point if we had to improve our football team, at any position, we would consider it," said the coach. "Up until the trading deadline [Week 6], whether we sign players or trade them, or whatever we do, anything we can do to make the football team better we would consider it."

Improvements needed

Other than all the hoopla surrounding the Branch situation, it was your typical Monday afternoon at Gillette Stadium. The Pats were happy with their 19-17 victory the Bills on Sunday, but the team also realizes it wasn't the best 60 minutes of football it could have played and improvements must be made for this weekend's game in New York against the Jets.

New England struggled during the first half on Sunday, but the way the team responded in the final 30 minutes impressed Belichick, and he told his players as much afterwards.

"They should be proud of that," he said. "But they understand it's not a situation we want to be in too often. They battled back, worked hard and made enough plays to win."

Now, all the attention will be placed on the Pats' opponent this Sunday.

jmcdonal@projo.com / (401) 277-7340