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At the beginning of the season the Pats' OL struggled considerably, went through a number of different rotations, and received tremendous criticism, most of it deserved. Among the criticism was that BB has not invested enough in the OL compared to other teams. Dallas' dominant OL performance this season behind 3 1st round picks (Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zach Martin) further underscored the difference for many.
The San Francisco 49ers have used a dominant OL to fuel their 3 season run to the NFCCG. They have helped build a dominant rushing attack, and a physical unit that has often overpowered opposing defensive lines. The 49ers have invested 1st round picks in LT Joe Staley (2007), RT Anthony Davis (2010) and LG Mike Iupati (2010). RG Alex Boone has been one of the best. They invested a high 3rd round pick in center Marcus Martin in the past draft. Meanwhile they are 4-4, and their OL is getting shredded. They have given up 6 sacks to Denver (9 QB hits) and 7 sacks to Arizona (6 QB hits) in their past 2 games, both losses, and have struggled running the ball (62 and 80 yards rushing).
http://espn.go.com/blog/san-francis...49ers-offensive-line-simply-offensive-vs-rams
Meanwhile the Pats' OL is arguably playing the best over the past 2 games than at any time since 2011, when they had Logan Mankins and Brian Waters anchoring the interior OL. They have given up 2 sacks and 9 QB hits over the past 2 games, and have given Brady a clean pocket most of the time. Dan Connolly, Bryan Stork and Ryan Wendell has been a rock solid interior combination, and the tackle play has settled down considerably.
All of which is to point out that, perhaps more than any other unit, offensive line play is much more than the sum of its parts. Scar always excelled at making a cohesive unit out of spare parts. Dave DeGugielmo seems to be doing a masterful job pulling the line together after a very rough start.
The San Francisco 49ers have used a dominant OL to fuel their 3 season run to the NFCCG. They have helped build a dominant rushing attack, and a physical unit that has often overpowered opposing defensive lines. The 49ers have invested 1st round picks in LT Joe Staley (2007), RT Anthony Davis (2010) and LG Mike Iupati (2010). RG Alex Boone has been one of the best. They invested a high 3rd round pick in center Marcus Martin in the past draft. Meanwhile they are 4-4, and their OL is getting shredded. They have given up 6 sacks to Denver (9 QB hits) and 7 sacks to Arizona (6 QB hits) in their past 2 games, both losses, and have struggled running the ball (62 and 80 yards rushing).
http://espn.go.com/blog/san-francis...49ers-offensive-line-simply-offensive-vs-rams
Meanwhile the Pats' OL is arguably playing the best over the past 2 games than at any time since 2011, when they had Logan Mankins and Brian Waters anchoring the interior OL. They have given up 2 sacks and 9 QB hits over the past 2 games, and have given Brady a clean pocket most of the time. Dan Connolly, Bryan Stork and Ryan Wendell has been a rock solid interior combination, and the tackle play has settled down considerably.
All of which is to point out that, perhaps more than any other unit, offensive line play is much more than the sum of its parts. Scar always excelled at making a cohesive unit out of spare parts. Dave DeGugielmo seems to be doing a masterful job pulling the line together after a very rough start.