FOXBORO — Bill O’Brien did his job Thursday evening.
As a preseason play-caller, he stored his play sheet shut, however his playing cards nearer. He known as a boring recreation. Everything concerning the Patriots offense was, within the favourite phrases of each NFL commentator, “vanilla.”
That is, soft-serve vanilla with a twist of doubt.
The Pats performed offense of their preseason opener like they’ve all summer season: as in the event that they already know they will’t belief their offensive line. Like it’s a bug of their system, not a function. And why wouldn’t they really feel this manner?
Their most skilled O-lineman Thursday evening was Conor McDermott, a 7-year veteran who began at left deal with after spending two weeks of follow on the proper aspect. McDermott flipped as a result of the Patriots had one different choice primarily based on their accessible linemen: Andrew Stueber, a 2022 seventh-rounder. But accidents, which have not too long ago sidelined offensive tackles Trent Brown and Calvin Anderson, and guards Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu, don’t paint the entire image.
How O’Brien has been working across the Pats’ shaky O-line expertise for weeks does. Start with the expertise.
Three performs into the Pats’ opening drive, a backup line consisting of McDermott, two rookies, second-year backup Kody Russey and journeyman James Ferentz, obtained beat for a sack on a delayed blitz. Down went Bailey Zappe.
Over their second sequence, McDermott allowed a run stuff and obtained flagged for a false begin. In the third quarter, backup working again J.J. Taylor narrowly prevented a security on a run play that began on the 5-yard line. The O-line couldn’t clear sufficient room for anybody — not even the 5-foot-6 Taylor — to shimmy by means of towards Texans backups, till shifty rookie quarterback Malik Cunningham began dazzling halfway by means of the fourth quarter.
Cunningham’s magic apart, the Pats completed with 44 yards on 20 carries. Rushing was a distress.
The Pats’ passing efficiency wasn’t fairly as grim, although it did supply a textbook lesson in why completion share fails to seize a quarterback’s efficiency by itself. Zappe posted a sparking 12-of-14 stat line, however averaged 4.4 yards per dropback, thanks to 2 sacks and a recreation plan that protected him like his mom had been on the controls.
Mirroring a modified model of what’s been run in follow, O’Brien known as screens on 25% of Zappe passing performs. Zappe focused the identical quick-game idea — stick — thrice. Around these calls, O’Brien sprinkled in run-pass choices for each Zappe and Trace McSorley, which at the very least gave them the choice of handing off towards a immediately immovable Texans entrance or making an attempt to cross towards the unstoppable power that had change into Houston’s cross rush.
It wasn’t till Cunningham’s heroics that the offense might overcome its defective entrance, however an undrafted rookie gained’t be capable to save the Patriots within the common season. Time would possibly heal these wounds, presuming Brown, Strange and Onwenu can return for Week 1. But if any of them get harm once more, one member of Thursday evening’s sad-sack crew will exchange them.
That’s why Thursday issues, even when it’s fated to be a footnote within the story of the 2023 Patriots. Not to say, the Pats’ prime O-line, with a left-to-right roll name of Brown, Strange, David Andrews, Onwenu and Riley Reiff, nonetheless evokes questions.
Brown’s damage historical past is spotty at greatest. Strange, regardless of being a first-round decide, obtained benched twice as a rookie. Before Reiff joined the Patriots, he blocked for 2 the worst offensive traces within the league in consecutive years, with the Bengals in 2021 and the Bears final season. Neither crew opted to retain him.
The Pats signed Reiff for a measly $5 million, chump change to the most effective offensive tackles within the league. Then, after two days in coaching camp, the Patriots promoted McDermott into his spot on the first-team offense. Was it a benching? Was it a pre-planned rotation?
It turned unimaginable to inform as a result of Brown’s ensuing damage compelled Reiff to start out in his place for a week-plus — and the actual fact neither place stopped performing like a revolving door. The offense allowed 20 sacks in crew drills over the three practices that preceded Thursday’s preseason opener.
This is the offensive basis the Patriots selected to construct for themselves, regardless of ample money, cap room and draft capital final spring. The cracks are exhibiting. At least O’Brien is already for sealant.
Source: www.bostonherald.com