I I wouldn't say he's the sole difference, but as with most teams, you're often as good as your depth. The expectation prior to free agency is that the Pats OL would be pretty well decimated. We'd be losing Thuney and Andrews to free agency, and needed to load up elsewhere (TE and WR) on guys like Jonnu and Juju. Instead, while Thuney did move on, they managed to keep Andrews and trade for Brown. We were so spoiled by Road Grader Brown in 2018 that we discounted his injuries with the Raiders - I certainly did. Past draft capital had been invested wisely though, with Cajuste expected to swing tackle, and Herron if absolutely necessary.
Well, absolutely became necessary. A run and play-action team like the Pats needs a line that can push when necessary, and hold (not literally, Herron!) as play action develops. Without Brown or Cajuste, they're surely in trouble. Dante's not walking through that door either. Sad to say I had to look up his replacement, and most of what I found was talk of OL coach Cole Popovich leaving the team during camp (and FWIW, he's still listed at patriots.com -
https://www.patriots.com/team/coaches-roster/cole-popovich ), so I'm honestly not sure who's coachin' em up. Anyone have a definitive source?