Patriots Travel to Green Bay; Offensive Line Has Issues

By: Steve Atkinson

The Patriots will travel to Green Bay this week for joint practices with the Packers. During these practices, we will see scrimmage-like things between the Patriots and Packers. We will see the top offensive line which is wretched go against the top defensive line of the Packers. Mac Jones will be under center for those reps and probably go stand next to Bill O’Brien when he’s done. This week will be a big week to prepare for the regular season starting less than a month from now on September 10th.

The Patriots Weak Offensive Line

The offensive line was really bad on Thursday’s preseason game and that was the backup. The starting offensive line isn’t much better. Will Trent Brown buy in and has he? No name Riley Reiff will he make a difference? Will Connor McDermott contribute to the offensive line? So many questions and not many answers. If the offensive line doesn’t work the whole operation could fall flat.

Patriots OC Bill O’Brien Will Have To Scheme Up Lots Of Quick Plays

Like I’ve said I expect that Bill O’Brien will design plays that will be getting the ball out quickly. Lots of screens and over-the-middle passes. The way the old offense looked under O’Brien in 2011. Mac’s ability to get the ball out quickly will be key with a weak offensive line. I think with O’Brien the offense could succeed because of the scheme regardless of the offensive line issues. However, if it doesn’t work then there are bigger problems.

The Stink Stank Stunk used on the receivers can be used on the offensive line. The receivers are actually decent and the position group that really deserves those names is the offensive line. Will Adrian Klemm be able to fix it? What does he really have to work with? I can tell you not much.

At least though David Andrews won’t be on the sideline with a tablet this year coaching the offensive line. It will be an actual position coach in Klemm.

Hot Take On The Patriots Weak Offensive Line

Here is a hot take narrative that Belichick didn’t do enough to add players to the offensive line to spite Mac Jones and Robert Kraft. He instead paid special team’s players and went to the dollar store for Riley Reiff and Calvin Anderson. It was like he said “Ok, we will get rid of Isaiah Wynn and just go get some random offensive lineman.” Then went out and drafted singed special team’s players. He also got rid of Jakobi Meyers, Damien Harris, Brian Hoyer for talking bad about the offense last year and sticking up for Mac Jones.

There is probably a small part of Bill that want’s Mac to fail so he can go to Kraft and say I told you so. But then Kraft can say you didn’t do enough to protect him. So, it could be a loose situation for Belichick regardless. In order for that offensive line to work there needs to be minimal injuries and the gameplan has to be well enough so Mac can get the ball out quickly.

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