{"id":105840,"date":"2022-06-16T22:58:55","date_gmt":"2022-06-17T02:58:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=105840"},"modified":"2022-06-16T22:58:55","modified_gmt":"2022-06-17T02:58:55","slug":"patriots-mailbag-will-new-look-offensive-line-help-or-hurt-new-englands-offense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=105840","title":{"rendered":"Patriots Mailbag: Will New-Look Offensive Line Help or Hurt New England’s Offense?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you ask any NFL executive what the best thing an organization can do for its young quarterback on the field, the answer will probably be the same: protect him at all costs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Building a strong offensive line, or failing to do so, often dictates the success or failure of so many quarterbacks that have walked in Mac Jones\u2019s shoes as highly-touted first-round picks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Most first-round quarterbacks have the physical tools to succeed, but how they handle pressure and overcome deficiencies upfront can make the difference. Even huge success stories, such as Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Chiefs MVP Patrick Mahomes, came up short when the protection broke down (see: Super Bowl LVI and Super Bowl LV).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has always emphasized keeping his quarterback upright. For years, legendary offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia was a massive part of that. But even in a post-Scar world, New England\u2019s O-Line has performed well using Scarnecchia\u2019s system.<\/span><\/p>\n

After a shaky start to the 2021 season, the Pats stabilized the offensive line by inserting veteran Ted Karras into the starting lineup, which coincided with Trent Brown\u2019s return at right tackle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

New England finished fourth in Pro Football Focus\u2019s pass-blocking efficiency by the season’s end, with only 20 sacks surrendered (eighth-best) and the fewest QB pressures allowed in the NFL by the offensive line. PFF also ranked the Pats as the eighth-best run-blocking unit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite their success down the stretch a year ago, the Patriots made some significant changes both personnel-wise and on the coaching staff this offseason to the offensive line room.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

New England declined to match a three-year, $18 million deal given to Karras by the reigning AFC Champs, lowering their offer at the last minute to push the high-IQ vet to Cincinnati.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Then, Belichick surprisingly traded standout right guard Shaq Mason to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a fifth-round pick, which created another hole in the starting five.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Trading the 28-year-old Mason was an avenue to free-up cap space and opened a starting spot for 2021 sixth-round pick Mike Onwenu, who has put out impressive tape in his first two seasons. The Pats were still short one guard, though, which led to the Cole Strange selection in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After the roster shuffling at guard, the Patriots reported to minicamp last week with a major change at tackle. In these early stages, flipping tackles Trent Brown (moving to left tackle) and Isaiah Wynn (moving to right tackle) could be seen as experimentation. But the Pats harp on continuity and try getting as many reps as a five-man unit in their starting spots as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

Along with the roster turnover, offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo followed Josh McDaniels to Vegas, so senior football advisor Matt Patricia and assistant coach Billy Yates are taking over.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Patriots have big questions to answer this summer once the pads go on and live contact begins in training camp, which is when the evaluation process truly begins in the trenches.<\/span><\/p>\n

First, is projected starting tackle Isaiah Wynn\u2019s move to the right side because the team thinks it\u2019s what\u2019s best for the offense, whether that\u2019s getting a better version of Wynn, Brown, or potentially spreading out the beef and athleticism a bit? Or is Wynn a potential trade candidate with a $10.4 million salary on his fifth-year option this season?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Patriots could be foreshadowing a Wynn trade by preparing Brown to play left tackle now, where he played in 2018, which means they\u2019re only displacing one position if they trade Wynn.<\/span><\/p>\n

Plus, if the team is counting on Brown to protect Mac Jones\u2019s blind side, can he stay healthy for an entire season after failing to do so in each of the last three seasons?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Second, will Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu upgrade New England\u2019s guard spots, or will the interior line take a step back with the ongoing youth movement?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Strange\u2019s athleticism was on full display during the spring, but questions remain about his playing strength and pass protection technique. As for Onwenu, one could argue that he has better tape at tackle than guard in the NFL after he was benched last season for Karras.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lastly, and this is an ongoing theme for the offense in general, will a new-look offensive line get the quality coaching it needs to gel with so many moving parts up front?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As we wrote after minicamp, New England\u2019s quarterback and offensive skill positions showed out this spring in a positive way; Jones\u2019s deep ball is improved, his pass-catchers led by newcomer DeVante Parker and potential breakout candidate Tre Nixon are improved, and a streamlined offensive system is creating more downfield opportunities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, for the Patriots to successfully open up the offense for Jones to hunt more explosive plays in year two, he\u2019ll need a sturdy offensive line in front of him to keep him clean.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If there\u2019s one concerning area about the Patriots’ offense following spring practices, it\u2019s how New England\u2019s rebuilt offensive line will hold up once they face a live pass rush.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without further ado, let\u2019s empty the mailbag as the Patriots head into summer break:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Any idea who will be calling the plays ??<\/p>\n

— #Patriotsalldayeveryday (@DpopWilliams) June 15, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n