The Patriots’ offensive line has taken its share of heat early this season, but Matt Light sees both the criticism and the upside.
During a recent appearance on “The Gronk and Jules Show,” the former New England lineman said the unit has been under the microscope for good reason. Injuries have piled up, and that has only added to the doubts surrounding a group that also has shown it can keep Drake Maye upright long enough to operate.
“It’s under a lot of scrutiny and it should be,” Light said of the Patriots’ offensive line. “The way the season ended last year, the way it started out early, there’s going to be a lot of people who continue to have question marks because the injuries continue to happen.”
Light didn’t stop at the negatives. He said the line has been coached well and has enough talent to be part of a playoff-contending team.
“I think they’re a unit that’s coached really well, and not only are they coached well, they’ve got enough talent to be a team that can be a playoff contender. They can give Drake enough time, they’ve proven that. The injuries are an issue.”
That health problem got worse Sunday, when left tackle Will Campbell left the win against the Raiders with a knee injury. His status is reportedly considered week to week. Rookie Caleb Lomu stepped in for Campbell last week.
Right guard Mike Onwenu has also been sidelined since hurting his ankle against the Steelers in Week 2.
Even with the turnover up front, Maye has had time to work. According to Next Gen Stats, he is averaging 3.06 seconds to throw per drop back, the fifth-most in the NFL. Only Caleb Williams, Sam Darnold, Malik Willis, and Lamar Jackson have averaged more time than Maye so far.
The pass protection has taken a step forward, but the run game still hasn’t fully caught up. New England is averaging 4.2 yards per carry, which ranks 15th in the league.
Maye’s 5.4 yards per carry have helped lift that number. The Patriots are 22nd in rushing yards per game at 127.2.
Still, the offense has started to find a rhythm over the past two weeks. New England exploded for a season-high 45 points against Las Vegas last week.
Light credited offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels for helping the Patriots stay productive through the injuries.
“What I love about the offense is a guy like Josh McDaniels,” Light said. “He’s going to take those things into consideration and he has enough uniqueness to him that he can cater a game-plan that will be in their best interest.”
“Not every offensive coordinator can do that for their team. I think Josh is uniquely qualified to do that and he’s going to need to continue to do that because there’s going to continue to be the injuries up front like there are across the league.”
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