The New England Patriots offensive line has not protected Mac Jones well this season. It’s that simple. While it’s clear the unit has improved when blocking the run, they are still far too inconsistent at keeping Jones upright.
He may have taken just five hits and two sacks on Sunday in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys, but defensive end Randy Gregory felt the Patriots offensive line couldn’t block him.
“Honestly, I felt their O-line couldn’t block me or block any of us as long as they didn’t chip us, at least on the ends, and they did a lot of that,” Gregory said, via NESN’s Sean McGuire.
Gregory on going up against Patriots O-Line: "Honestly, I felt their O-line couldn’t block me or block any of us as long as they didn’t chip us, at least on the ends, and they did a lot of that."
— Sean T. McGuire (@BySeanMcGuire) October 18, 2021
Gregory logged his second sack on Jones on a third-and-2 that forced the Patriots to punt early in the third quarter. While that was probably the more impactful sack from a situational standpoint, his first sack was more impressive. He absolutely walloped Jones in the first half.
#Cowboys DE @RandyGregory_4 said (10/13/21) he is in his best play mentally as a player:
"I would definitely say I'm in my best place and probably have my best understanding of my flaws and the things that I do well. Yeah, I say it all the time." pic.twitter.com/tiMY1k4en2
— Mark Lane (@therealmarklane) October 17, 2021
New England started the game with Justin Herron at left tackle and Yodny Cajuste at left tackle. They went to Isaiah Wynn at left tackle and Michael Onwenu at right. Ultimately, they settled with Herron at left and Onwenu at right. But there wasn’t any combination that stopped the leaks. They have allowed 24 hits on the season.
[listicle id=113352]