Offensive Line:
Grade: C-
The Patriots offensive line was facing some tall tasks entering the season. While starting tackles Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer were returning, it was inside where they knew there’d be work to do. It began with 2nd year center Bryan Stork starting the year injured and rookie UDFA David Andrews starting in his place.
 Tre’ Jackson is one of three rookies to start in the interior OL this season. (USA TODAY Images) |
With injuries/retirement at guard, the team started rookie draft picks Shaq Mason and Tre’ Jackson with three rookies in the interior of the offensive line. The season started well enough; Brady was on fire, getting rid of the ball in less than two seconds and the quick receivers were torching teams.
But as the injuries to both the receivers and OL continued, the real struggles began. Solder was lost to IR and the offensive line has been a revolving door. They’ve had 13 different combinations and 10 different starting combinations. Brady has had five different left tackles this season. Vollmer was hurt but is expected back for the playoff game on Jan. 16th.
Marcus Cannon, Cameron Fleming, Josh Kline, Stork, LaAdrian Waddle have all played and all been hurt at one time or another. But the myriad of injuries and subpar play mixed with the inexperience have hurt. The run blocking has been poor all season and the pass protection for Brady has really struggled down the stretch.
This unit has to turn it around and pick-up their level of play in the playoffs or it will be a short run for the team. Brady needs much more time to find his receivers. Getting Vollmer back will help but it won’t fix everything.
Coaching:
Grade: A-
Josh McDaniels had an outstanding year, which is why he’s at the top of many of the vacant head coaching lists. He was very creative, especially at the beginning of the season when the team was more or less healthy and the offense was nearly unstoppable. He and Brady have worked together for a long time and are in lock step when it comes to running the offense.
 Josh McDaniels is having another strong season as the Offensive Coordinator and is a leading candidate for many head coaching vacancies. (USA TODAY Images) |
The assistant coaches, among them Brian Daboll, Dave DeGuglielmo, Ivan Fears, Chad O’Shea and others have done a bang-up job of doing the best they can with a seemingly new cast of characters each week. It is rare to see many mental mistakes by this offense and the fact that they lead the league again in least fumbles is a testament to the hard work and dedication to the coaching staff.
Offensive MVP: Brady
Honorable Mention: Gronk/Edelman
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A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)
