Mankins is a world-class offensive lineman, someone who, in his five previous seasons in New England, developed a rock-solid reputation as a genuine Pro Bowler. But even if he does report in time to get the time needed to count toward free agency, as well as the New England offensive line has played for the first five weeks of the season, there’ s no indication that he would be able to crack the starting lineup. It seems remarkable to say this, but Mankins would have a fight on his hands, as Dan Connolly has done a more than serviceable job at left guard in Mankins’ absence. In what can best be described as a tribute to Connolly and offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia, the line has yielded eight sacks through the first five games of the season — tied for fifth-lowest in the league.
Some of that is tied to a belief — one the Patriots adhere to — that a successful offensive line is tied to chemistry and continuity, and with the same five players (Left tackle Matt Light, Connolly at left guard, center Dan Koppen, right guard Stephen Neal and right tackle Sebastian Vollmer) having taken almost 100 percent of the snaps as a unit this year, that level of familiarity that’ s been built up over the course of the 2010 is clearly a strength for the current group.
