Bill Belichick set out to rebuild the aging Offensive line. It had two players who were 32 going on 33, and an undersized Center, who was being manhandled by big DTs. Furthermore it was getting harder to create and maintain a pocket for an older immobile QB to step up into.
That O-line had been pretty good in pass blocking, and only average on run blocking at its peak, a few years ago. The pass blocking degenerated progressively, and then alarmingly in the 2013 season.
It was a marvel that TB didn't get hurt, and sent to IR, given the 40 sacks he suffered. Or at least to get dinged enough to miss a few games. BB didn't want to roll the dice again.
BB drafted two OL linemen for his interior line, a Big C and a big G/T to convert one of the Guards slots. Both got hurt.
As the current OL has evolved after tinkering, BB has a new big C, and the older RG/C moved to LG, and the undersized but mobile C, moved to RG. This arrangement appears to be is improving things. The pocket has been re-established sufficiently, that Brady has time and can now throw deeper passes, utilizing the receiver's entire route trees. The Running game can still open holes as it has done with technique, finesse and movement.
But this is but an interim OL. It still contains an aging 33year old Guard, and an undersized RG, who is still too small to drive block and dominate when needed. However, it appears the interim changes are sufficient for the balance of the season.
With another Draft looming, and even more significantly, the other Draft needs substantially satisfied, at move TE, at reserve LB, and perhaps big DT, and enough CAP space to resign the RBs, BB can afford to draft additional OL talent, to continue the rebuild.
I anticipate he will continue to do so,and Draft a couple of OLs high, along with a DE. Comments?