Patriots’ makeshift offensive line has one priority: ‘Protect Tom’
The only constant for the Patriots’ offensive line this season has been change.
By the end of New England’s 27-10 win over Washington, at least two players had played each position along the line and four players had lined up at left tackle this season. As the injuries have continued to mount, the unit’s priority has remained the same: Keep quarterback Tom Brady productive and upright.
When the Patriots began the second half on Sunday, center Bryan Stork was at right tackle and Cameron Fleming was protecting Brady’s blindside. The latest shuffle came after starting left tackle Sebastian Vollmer had left the game at the end of the second quarter with a head injury. This came after injuries to previous left tackles Nate Solder and Marcus Cannon.
Fleming, who has spent time on the Patriots’ practice squad during the 2015 season, had never played left tackle at any level, from high school to the NFL.
“I didn’t really think of it until everyone was asking,’’ Fleming said of playing left tackle for the first time in his career. “I was just like, ‘Protect Tom.’ The blindside, the right side — it didn’t really register to me. I just got to keep the quarterback clean.’’
The makeshift offensive line allowed no sacks on Sunday, and Brady finished with 299 yards passing, two touchdowns, and an interception. That turnover came before the injury to Vollmer.
“A lot of guys scrambled to figure out exactly what we’re going to do,’’ Brady said in his postgame press conference when asked about injuries to the offensive line. “And they played really hard, so I’m proud of them. I mean, for [Stork] to play right tackle, he hadn’t played center this year and he goes in and plays right tackle. It’s like unbelievable, and then [Fleming] to go to left tackle, which … I don’t know when we thought about doing that, but that’s what happens when you’re a little bit under pressure.’’
The Patriots entered the game with six offensive linemen, and were down to five when the second half started.
“You’ve gotta be even keeled. Panicking doesn’t help,’’guard Josh Kline said of the offensive line shuffling. “Just keep them off Tom. Just try not to make any mistakes.’’
Playing his first game of the 2015 season after being activated on Saturday, Stork lined up at four positions on the offensive line, eventually settling in at right tackle in the second half. It was a position he had previously played for just two series in college against Florida and in high school.
“I enjoyed it,’’ Stork said after the win.
The shifts among lineman didn’t appear to bother running back LeGarrette Blount, who finished with the tenth 100-yard rushing game of his career. It was the first such game for a Patriots’ running back this season.
“Despite the shuffling, despite the guys going down and showing up, they’ve been doing amazing,’’ Blount said. “It takes a lot of studying to know every position on the o-line. For them to step out there and do such a great job at positions they haven’t played in this league is … it speaks volumes.’’
Patriots running back Brandon Bolden, who stepped up after running back Dion Lewis went down with a knee injury, did notice one difference.
“They were shorter,’’ he said with a smile.
At 6-foot-8, Vollmer is the tallest man on the roster.
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