Check-In With the New England Patriots: Offensive Line

I’m beginning a new series on the New England Patriots, entitled “Check-In.” My follow-up series will be “Check-Out,” which will come at the end of the regular season. Updates (as of yet untitled) will more than likely come throughout the regular season.

Today, I start with the offensive line, which has been an anomaly in the past two seasons.

In 2007, they were the most fearsome squadron in the NFL. Their grizzly facial hair earned them the nickname of the “Bearded Brothers.” Opposing defenses nearly gave up trying in their quest to get to quarterback Tom Brady in his explosive statistical season.

Then, in Super Bowl XLII, the wall came tumbling down around Brady. In 2008, things just weren’t the same; the same group of men gave up the most sacks in the league.

What people don’t understand, though, is that the quarterback plays a huge role in the production of the offensive line.

The obvious has been said time and time again: Matt Cassel is no Tom Brady. His release isn’t as quick, he’s not as quick of a decision-maker, and his instincts were dull last season, having not started since high school.

What isn’t as obvious, though, is the difference it made in the offensive lines play. Brady’s uncanny ability to read the blitz before the snap allowed him to make the necessary audibles and adjustments at the line to maximize his protection.

Although the offensive line is comprised entirely of veterans who understand the game, it’s not as easy for them to pick up a blitz from a linebacker or safety in a pinch; they’re usually face-to-face with a 270-plus pound lineman.

Speaking of the line’s veteran status, a dip in their overall athleticism could also be a reason for the surplus in sacks allowed last season. Left guard Logan Mankins is the only starter on the line below the age of 30 and even he is beginning to approach that mark sooner than later.

They haven’t done much to solve this issue as of late, drafting two offensive lineman in the entire 2009 NFL Draft (the second of which didn't come until the fifth round). Sebastian Vollmer, the 58th overall selection out of Houston, could give right tackle Nick Kaczur a run for his money for the starting position. Vollmer's size and athleticism could prove necessary in neutralizing speed rushers off the edge.

Speaking of speed rushers, although the Patriots haven’t added much depth on the line, they have added a number of nimble tight ends to their depth chart. They picked up Chris Baker, formerly of the Jets, and Alex Smith, formerly of the Buccaneers, to add to incumbent starter Benjamin Watson as his back-up David Thomas.

The Patriots are clearly in need of their combined speed and strength in blocking the edge pass rush.

This should hopefully solve the major problem of a lack of athleticism that the Giants presented them in Super Bowl XLII.

Starting left tackle Matt Light is reaching the twilight of his career, and the other starters aren’t too far behind. It’s clear that the Patriots will have to do more to improve themselves in the trenches down the road. Perhaps their wealth of second-round selections in next year’s draft could come in handy in that regard.

Regardless of what they choose to do next offseason, Brady will make use of what's given to him (as usual) and could make the line look like studs yet again in 2009.

And as always, when all else fails, in Belichick we trust.