It's time to talk about the Line

     

    Yes I have been teasing this post for what feels like every single Patriots blog this off season. The New England Patriots Offensive Line... In 2022 they were ranked 11th overall by Pro Football Focus which felt generous when looking at the product on the field. Mac Jones is a traditional statue pocket passing quarterback. His strengths are his accuracy and ability to read the defense and take what they give. A lot like a similar player that was the prior QB for the club. Mac Jones is not going to be at his best rolling out of the pocket throwing under pressure and taking sacks. 

    In the 7 games going into the Patriots Jets matchup on November 20th 2023 Mac Jones had been sacked 21 times. Whereas in his rookie season in total he was at 28 sacks total. Ranking Jones at 34 out of 35 quarterbacks last season taking hits and being sacked by opposing defenses. The devils advocate side that boosts this line to rank at 11th overall can only be the hulking heroics of one Rhamondre Stevenson. His running back counterpart Damien Harris went down with Thigh and Hamstring injuries. Rhamondre Stevenson took the role of RB 1 and took it with stride. Becoming the best offensive player on the team without a doubt making the run block look good through his ferocity and speed.

    Getting into the nitty gritty, we have to start with Trent Brown. The 6'8 370 lbs. offensive tackle was traded to the Patriots in 2018 and was a productive left tackle for the team.  He then left in free agency to the Raiders in 2019 when the Patriots would trade for him again not cutting ties yet with the mammoth of a man Trent Brown. Trent Brown has been so terrible in his 2nd stint with New England. With the highlight of his problems have been his penalty share. According to Pro Football Focus Trent Brown had 13 penalties last season tied with the most of all penalties for an offensive tackle. 

    What could be a bright spot for this grim offensive line falls in regards to Isaiah Wynn which in all reality could be addition by subtraction for the line. Wynn had 17 total penalties last season costing the offense yardage consistently and consistently being beat by his matchup. When it comes to building an offensive line your only as good as your worst piece. If Isaiah Wynn is being beat by edge rushers every play defenses will stack the right side and you get sacking situations compared to last year.

    In the offseason Belichick's pickups came down to Calvin Anderson from Denver and Reilly Reiff from Chicago. Two run of the mill journeymen tackles from free agency. It seemed Bill was keen on not making a splash on the Offensive L:ine. So keen that pre season came and went. The Patriots lost the two completed pre seasons in terrible fashion off of what all eyes watching would say was a bad performance from the line against back up linebackers. The Pats were also running with 5th stringers that would be cut in the pre season games. The point is what Belichick saw was not good and he made adjustments accordingly trading Running Back Pierre Strong for Offensive Tackle Tyrone Wheatley from the Cleveland Browns. Bill sees the issues at tackle we just hope that these moves are enough to protect Mac Jones. 

    In terms of the tackle depth the last player to look at is Sidy Sow. Sow is the offensive tackle that the Patriots drafted in the 4th round. The kid is 6'5 318 lbs. The development of this kid is essential for this offensive line, looking at Trent Browns health last season you cannot bank he will be a massive contributor for the team. The name of the game on the defensive side is athletic versatile edge rushers with speed and IQ, it is important to have offensive tackles that can match the weapons team throw at edge line backers in todays NFL.

    Aside from the Tackles the interior line has been solid, most likely what carried this run block and Pro Football Focus of 11th overall offensive line rating. Looking at the interior David Andrews at the Center Spot has been one of the best players on the team. Cole Strange was a guard drafted in the 1st round for the Patriots so he needs to play a massive part in the pass protection plan. Mike Onwenu is another player that had been solid for the Pats holding onto him was a good idea in my opinion. 

    The offseason pick ups of Reiff, Anderson, Wheatley, the subtraction of Isaiah Wynn the hopeful health of Trent Brown, along with the development of Sidy Sow are the keys to a healthy strong offensive line for the New England Patriots. With a decent performing line their entire offense becomes unlocked with electric tight ends in Gesicki and Henry. Dynamite backs in Mondre and Zeke and finally epic receivers in Bourne, Juju and Douglas. Time will only tell kick off is in 11 days!