During his Zoom call with the media on Monday, Jerod Mayo was asked if he anticipated making line-up changes in wake of Sunday’s disaster in Miami.
Mayo answered with one word: “Yes.”
Where might those changes occur?
The offensive line, for starters. After having some continuity with the same line starting three consecutive games, there could be moves with this group.
Both tackles, Vederian Lowe and Demontrey Jacobs, struggled mightily against the Dolphins. Lowe was flagged for three false starts and a holding penalty. Jacobs had a false start and hold, and was on the books for seven quarterback pressures.
Left guard Michael Jordan also didn’t fare particularly well against Miami’s front, allowing a sack and three hurries.
Jacobs was benched during the game, with Sidy Sow replacing him at right tackle.
The biggest problem here, and with other positions, is Mayo doesn’t exactly have a ton of quality depth as replacements. The Patriots coach admitted as much when asked on WEEI Monday if he might be able to coach differently if he had pieces to sub in for guys making mistakes.
“That’s a fair assessment,” Mayo said, affirming the roster issues he’s dealing with.
That being said, both Layden Robinson and Sow are possibilities at guard. If either or both start, that might necessitate Michael Onwenu moving back outside to tackle for the umpteenth time.
Rookie tackle Caedan Wallace, who has been on injured reserve since the first week of October, is expected to return at some point, per Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. But he doesn’t seem like an immediate fix. He hasn’t gotten back on the practice field as yet.
Ditto guard/center Cole Strange, who returned to practice last week, but doesn’t appear close to playing.
Some New England Patriots offensive players were laughing and joking around in the locker room after the embarrassing loss to the Miami Dolphins, while rookie QB Drake Maye seemed to take the loss very hard.
Via MassLive reporter Mark Daniels.
