So what has happened to make the OL look as good as it did last week? They'd had a few good games and some real shaky games this year, but they were as crisp as could be against what was a legit Bears DL. Off the top of my head, I'd say we maybe know some things and other things remain a mystery, at least to me:
TE:
I think I know: Gronkowski has really struggled as a blocker this year, and last Sunday seemed to be his first strong game in that department. That was significant.
I don't know: if the Pats will feel comfortable enough with Wright's blocking to play him more. Hoo-man is so one-dimensional that he really holds back this offense (and he's not even that great of a blocker).
Tackles:
I think I know: Solder and Vollmer looked great -- as good as I've ever seen and in some ways perhaps more mobile. I'd be curious to see how PFF rated them.
I don't know: What the fuck happened? Especially with Solder -- he hasn't looked injured, he's just looked bad or, more precisely, mediocre combined with a few really dumb plays a game. I'd like to guess he was injured, but he didn't particularly look injured, he just didn't look like himself. Whatever...let's just hope this Solder is the real Solder. I also don't know why Cannon continues to rotate in -- BB says he's earned it, but don't you just play your best guys? Is that a clue that health and/or conditioning have been/continue to be an issue with the two tackles?
Guards
I think I know: Connolly and Wendell meshed so well with Solder and Vollmer -- says something, I guess, about experience and having worked together. Maybe just that they're half-way through the season and it took that long to mesh.
I don't know: Why it is that Devey was starting? Why it is that Fleming started that one game? Or, for that matter, if once Fleming is healthy if he gets his spot back.
Center
I think I know: When Stork plays, the OL is better.
I don't know: Why, exactly? If there's one position at which experience would seem to be key, it's said it is C, and yet Stork seems to be the key addition. Add on that, in fact, if I saw one guy miss blocks last week it was Stork. He looks good enough to me, but not all-world. I'd be curious if, given that he's been solid, we're looking at the Pats' C for the next stretch of years. If so, this draft just got a whole lot better.
Coaching
I think I know: It's all about results, so right now DeGugs gets praise. The Pats get bowled over next week by the Broncos rather scary front 7 and we'll immediately ask why he can't get these guys to play consistently. Fun job being an NFL coach.
I don't know: If DeGugs deserves blame for the first few weeks, praise for last week, or....is that just overrating how much a line coach matters?