Patriots' Offensive-Line Woes Re-Emerge, Struggle to Protect Tom Brady

If New York Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson can be believed, the New England Patriots offensive line served up an early holiday feast to their opponents. Rich Cimini from ESPN New York had the scoop from Richardson:

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Sheldon Richardson on how they played the Patriots' O-line: "Feasting. We had a feast out there." #nyj

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) December 21, 2014"

The statistics certainly bear Richardson out. After allowing just seven sacks in their last 10 games, the Patriots offensive line conceded four sacks to the powerful Jets line. Even when he wasn't brought to the ground, quarterback Tom Brady was often harried and hurried about by the relentless pressure.

Brady, however, refused to blame his blockers for New England's poor offensive output:

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I think they’re giving good protection. I just think our communication wasn’t great. We all just weren’t on the same page. When you do that, especially against a team who moves a lot of guys in and out of their defensive front and they blitz linebackers and safeties. They have a lot of guys coming. Our communication needs to be on point and it just kind of sputtered. We need to do a better job of that, especially here down the stretch. 

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While the Jets defenders physically out-maneuvered their Patriots counterparts on more than one occasion, Brady was spot-on with the communication angle. With Dan Connolly missing from the game due to a knee injury, the Patriots were forced into shuffling their line around like they did in the first four games of the season. Not coincidentally, they gave up eight sacks over that same period.

Multiple times the line failed to account correctly for overload blitzes from the Jets, leaving unblocked defenders while the likes of Josh Kline blocked air. With Connolly available and everybody in their normal spots, those breakdowns likely wouldn't have occurred.

With Connolly perhaps a candidate to earn some extra rest in Week 17 against the Buffalo Bills—the Patriots have nothing on the line—don't look for the communication issues to be resolved this week. On account of that uncertainty, don't be surprised to see Jimmy Garoppolo play a quarter or more to save wear and tear on Brady's body.

After the playoffs end, Bill Belichick the general manager will need to take a look at the offensive line—regardless of how the Patriots finish. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe thinks that they should address the position early on in the 2015 NFL Draft: 

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The unit recovered from the shocking trade of Logan Mankins at the start of the season, but it now needs help. Nate Solder continues to struggle with speed rushers and has one or two bad breakdowns per game. Connolly and Wendell are both on their last legs, and one, if not both, might not be back next year. You can almost guarantee that the Patriots will use one of their top picks on an offensive lineman in the 2015 draft.

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While draft season is only beginning to get revved up, there are some attractive options for New England. Brandon Scherff (OL, Iowa) is a college left tackle who could have a Logan Mankins-esque type of career, while Josue Matias (OG, Florida State) would be a versatile interior lineman who could be plugged in as a rookie.

For the next five weeks, however, Belichick is going to have play with the cards that he dealt himself. Brady is hoping that they don't fold.