http://central.sonsofsamhorn.net/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-dolphins-week-1-offensive-line-analysis/
“We’ve never seen the Patriots send out so many different lines!” has driven me off the airwaves. I’m sure that the iTunes store is sending fruit baskets to The Sports Hub and WEEI for all the business this week.
Further, that statement is untrue. It’s not true. Hey guys, are you listening? It’s not true.
There were thirteen total offensive drives against the Dolphins in week one. Eleven of the drives consisted of:
Nate Solder (LT) – Marcus Cannon (LG) – Dan Connolly (C) – Jordan Devey (RG) – Sebastian Vollmer (RT)
The other two drives featured an offensive line that would have been expected to play the majority of snaps in the wake of Logan Mankins’ departure at the end of the preseason:
Nate Solder (LT) – Marcus Cannon (LG) – Ryan Wendell (C) – Dan Connolly (RG) – Sebastian Vollmer (RT)
Sebastian Vollmer
Pass Blocking – Cameron Wake can make a lot of offensive tackles look bad, and Vollmer was no exception. Still, there were some positives to take away from his pass protection. Vollmer largely limited Wake in the first half, and there was only one play – where Wake practically ripped Vollmer’s jersey off while pulling on the collar – that Vollmer could be charged with allowing a QB pressure. Considering his opponent, Vollmer was exceptional in the first half.
In fact, Vollmer was solid for the beginning of the second half as well. The concern is that Vollmer left the game for a play with an apparent neck or head injury. Upon returning, he gave up a sack on a stunt and two QB hits/pressures, and also had a play where Brady was forced to step up into the pocket to avoid getting sacked. That’s 4 costly mistakes – 3 of which involved Wake simply speed-rushing around Vollmer – in a span of 22 plays.