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Patriots-Saints: Offensive Line Film Review

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As part of this film review I will look at every single offensive play from the first preseason game. The ultimate goal is to highlight some of the accomplishments, failures, and features of the Patriots offensive line play during the game. We’ll also take a peek at some of the rotation details and grade their overall play.

-Joe Thuney played an outstanding game

–Nate Solder looked terrible early, improved as game went on

–Marcus Cannon was surprisingly good, one of most consistent lineman in this game. I was shocked.

–Shaq Mason looked pretty bad throughout the entire game. He wasn’t technically sound and made mental errors. Very disappointed.

-Andrews and Stork were both pretty strong. Andrews was probably slightly better.

–Josh Kline was solid playing both tackle and guard in the first preseason game

-Waddle was slightly better than Fleming, but neither were very impressive

-It’s evident that Barker feels more comfortable at guard than tackle

–Ted Karras was okay. Good to see that he can play center as well as guard.

-Not enough playing time to judge Halapio, Kerbyson, Milton.

Rotation Details:

First Half:

Solder-Thuney-Andrews-Mason-Cannon played the entire first quarter. 14 total offensive plays in the first quarter, 3 drives.

Stork replaced Andrews for the first 2 drives of the second quarter: Solder-Thuney-*Stork*-Mason-Cannon. This group was together for 15 plays.

The final drive of the quarter sent Stork and Mason to the bench. Kline and Andrews replaced them: Solder-Thuney-*Andrews*-*Kline*-Cannon finished the 2nd quarter as a group. That group had a total of 9 plays.

Second Half:

Waddle-Barker-Kline-Karras-Fleming played the entire third quarter. 12 total offensive plays in the third quarter, 3 drives.

Waddle-Barker-Kline-Karras-Fleming started the fourth quarter. 3 total offensive plays, 1 drive.

Barker-Kerbyson-Karras-Halapio-Milton ended the game. 12 total offensive plays in 2 drives.

Rotation Totals:

13 drives – 68 plays

Solder-Thuney-Andrews-Mason-Cannon – 3 drives 14 plays

Solder-Thuney-Stork-Mason-Cannon – 2 drives 15 plays

Solder-Thuney-Andrews-Kline-Cannon – 1 drive 9 plays

Waddle-Barker-Kline-Karras-Fleming -5 drives 18 plays

Barker-Kerbyson-Karras-Halapio-Milton – 2 drives 12 plays

Grades:

I use a pretty simple system to judge the plays. Since I obviously do not have the Patriots playbook at home, it’s difficult to grade the plays with extreme accuracy.

If a player makes a great block, impressive play, I mark the play down. If they miss a block or have a terrible play and it stands out, I mark the play down.

This isn’t exactly scientific, very subjective. Only look for really good and really bad.

Outstanding Plays:

Thuney 6, Solder 2, Andrews 1, Mason 1, Cannon 1, Stork 1, Waddle 1, Milton 1, Karras 1, Kline 0, Barker 0, Halapio 0, Kerbyson 0.

Egregious Plays: 

Solder 7, Mason 6, Cannon 3, Stork 3, Thuney 2, Waddle 2, Andrews 1, Kline 1, Fleming 1, Karras 1, Kerbyson 1, Halapio 0, Milton 0, Barker 0.

Differential (Outstanding minus Egregious):

Thuney +4, Milton +1, Andrews 0, Karras 0, Barker 0, Halapio 0, Kerbyson 0, Waddle -1,   Kline -1, Cannon -2, Stork -2, Solder -5,  Mason -5

Quarter One

First Series 3 plays

Solder-Thuney-Andrews-Mason-Cannon

David Andrews completely whiffed attempting to block the nose on first down. LeGarrette Blount was left with nowhere to go and a defensive lineman in the backfield. Andrews’ technical mistake put an end to the play before it really started.

The second play offered some strong protection for Garoppolo. The only lineman who failed to finish was Solder. His pass set was solid from the start, but he was beat by the defensive lineman’s hand move right as Jimmy G released the ball. Bennett caught the rock for a seven yard gain.

Third down was disappointing. Solder looked bad again. He failed to deliver a punch, had a bad vertical set, and was dominated once again. The play resulted in a sack. Solder “caught” the rusher instead of delivering a blow to his chest and creating separation. It’s a shame because the rest of the line appeared to hold the pocket up well.

Two Point Conversion After Jamie Collins INT TD

Solder-Thuney-Andrews-Mason-Cannon

The time to practice situational football is in the preseason. After the Collins touchdown return, Belichick decided to go for two.

Garoppolo started out with no backs and motioned White to his left. Four wide receivers, two on each side, spread out across the field. After motion, the Saints frantically shifted defenders inside the box to stop the run.

https://twitter.com/NEPD_Loyko/status/763884340212297729

The Saints attempted to slant the defensive line and loop their backers in the opposite direction. Unfortunately for New Orleans, the backers couldn’t find White in the pile and he dove into the end zone for two points. The “game” up front ultimately favored the Patriots.

Second Series 3 plays

Solder-Thuney-Andrews-Mason-Cannon

Mason broke down fundamentally on the first play. He was beat by a fake inside move and ended up falling down trying to catch up with his rusher. Andrews was assisting Mason’s side of the line so he had the benefit of help from the center. The only play Mason could not allow himself to be beat was outside, and that’s exactly where he was beat.

Garoppolo took the snap and looked downfield as if he was going to throw. White was to his left, and he then received the hand off from Garoppolo. White looked to run the ball to the right side behind Cannon and Mason. Cannon failed to come off his double team with Mason and didn’t pick up the linebacker at the second level. The play would only gain a yard or two as a result.

Thuney gets bonus points for assisting Nate Solder on third down. When Thuney found that he had no one to block, he “looked for work” and double teamed the end with Solder.

Third Series 7 Plays

Solder-Thuney-Andrews-Mason-Cannon

Solder and Mason were both beat on the first play. Solder was caught leaning on his punch and his man ran right by him. Mason was beat to his outside via swim move. Both players were lucky that Garoppolo threw it quick.

The very next play, Solder looked off balance and weak trying to reach the end. He would ultimately fall straight on his face. Thuney did a great job of reaching the nose tackle and pancaked him. Andrews would have been able to block the second level if the nose tackle hadn’t held him. The trouble came in the front side double team. Mason and Cannon were supposed to double to the middle linebacker. Cannon does his job, but Mason fails to see the middle linebacker. Mason needs to have better eyes when he double teams. His man ended up making the tackle, and the Patriots would only gain a yard.

Big problems came on play number three. The protection was set to the left. Which basically means every lineman is responsible for the gap to their left. Cannon completely whiffed attempting to block his man. Garoppolo was hit into the turf as a result and he had to hurry his throw.

Two plays later the Patriots offensive line struggled again. It was first and ten with Garoppolo under center and White in the backfield. Garoppolo faked the hand off and immediately had pressure in the pocket. Thuney pulled flat to kick out the end and Cannon blocked down. Thuney deserves credit for pancaking his man again. He didn’t make it happen with physicality, but got the job done. The linebacker blitzed through the hole that Thuney vacated. Andrews saw the linebacker coming downhill a second late and tried to “bump” the lineman to Mason. If Mason has arrived faster, Andrews may have been able to pick up the blitzing linebacker. Solder did a fine job of blocking his man at first, but didn’t block to the whistle. He gave up on the play and his man ended up with a sack.

The Patriots now need 20 yards for a first down. The next play’s design would call for Mason to kick out the end. This meant that Andrews left the nose unblocked for Tight End Clay Harbor. Andrews did an admirable job of climbing up to the next level and blocking the Sam linebacker. Mason had a relatively easy block and somehow find a way to almost get beat. He should have also received a holding penalty that went uncalled. Bolden would gain a few yards on the play.

Bolden’s gain brought up Third and 17 for the Patriots; they would look to throw. The pocket looked pretty good all-around. Mason still found a way to end up on the ground despite having no one to block. If a guard isn’t “covered” by a defender, he is supposed to set with his eyes outside and be ready for a slant from the end. If the end stays outside the guard is supposed to assist the center. Mason seems to not grasp that concept. Thuney’s pass set was solid with no help from the center. Solder’s set was also good, but he was beat to the outside. After being beat, he rode the defender behind Garoppolo’s pocket as he through the ball away at White’s feet to end the drive.

Quarter Two

First Drive 4 Plays

Solder-Thuney-*Stork*-Mason-Cannon —> Andrews to Bench

The Patriots took over near their own 15, trailing 16-8 early in the second quarter. Stork would start the second quarter at center instead of Andrews. Garoppolo started under center and looked to pass. Both tackles cut the ends. Solder’s attempt failed, and his man almost jumped to get a hand on the ball. Cannon’s cut was better, his man at least hit the turf. The interior was solid. Thuney was almost beat with an inside move but pinned his man against the pile. An intelligent recovery.

Blount lined up in the backfield behind Garoppolo the very next play. Harbor lined up at tight end next to Solder on the left side. Bennett motioned to the right next to Cannon. Shaq Mason almost screwed up yet another play. He attempted to block his man but was instead pushed into the backfield. The defender would almost tackle Blount but he was able to evade him. Stork did a great job of taking a proper angle to the second level to cut off the middle linebacker. Cannon and Bennett combined for an excellent double team on the end and “Sam” backer. Stork’s athletic block, and the Cannon/Bennett double team opened the door for a 12 yard Patriots gain.

https://twitter.com/JoshNorris/status/764186175376596994

The third play of the drive would prove to be important for the Patriots. White lined up to the left of Garoppolo. Four wide receivers spread two and two across the field. Post snap it was immediately evident that a running back screen was coming. The Saints blitzed an extra rusher and it ultimately cost them. Stork and Mason both left on the screen. Mason did an outstanding job of cutting a Saints linebacker. Stork didn’t connect with his cut but got in the way enough to create a lane for a big play. Solder does a pretty lazy job of taking care of the end on this play. Unimpressive effort. Cannon finds someone to block, but Thuney doesn’t. James White ran out of stream at the Saints one yard line. A 56 yard gain on the screen. Blount would slam his way straight into the endzone from the one. Two point conversion would fail. The Saints loaded up the box and White couldn’t find the endzone on the ground.

Second Drive 11 Plays

Solder-Thuney-Stork-Mason-Cannon

The first play provided one of the best pockets of the night to that point. Dobson would catch a pass for eight yards. The Patriots would attempt to run to a first down on the next play with Bolden. Solder whiffed badly on his man but Bolden managed to escape the defender. Mason had another terrible play attempting to block at the line of scrimmage. Thuney did an outstanding job on his double team with Stork, earning yet another pancake.

The Patriots would have third and one. Blount entered the game at tailback. Yet again Solder looked off balance attempting to block his man. Blount would power his way through the right side of the line for a first down. Stork and Mason combined to double team. Stork was almost beat split by the defender but Mason bailed him out. The Pats would convert for a first down. The next play Blount would look to run left. Everything was going fine at the outset, but a few members of the Patriots were tripped up and Blount was left with nowhere to go. It just happens sometimes.

That forced a 2nd and 12 for New England. They would attempt to catch the Saints off guard with a quick wide receiver screen. The entire left side of the line including Stork left to block downfield on the screen. Two things went wrong: Solder attempted to block the wrong player and they didn’t work hard enough to sell the screen. Stork and Thuney both need to at least act like they are taking the first few steps of a pass set so the defensive line tries to rush up-field. Unfortunately a defensive lineman sniffed out the screen and made the tackle.

The failed screen brought up 3rd and 11. Garoppolo would complete his pass to Mitchell for 9. Probably one of the cleanest pockets seen thus far. The Patriots would go for it on 4th and 2. Garoppolo would go with an empty backfield and five wide receivers. That left only one linebacker in the box. Cannon was beat by the end and Garoppolo was forced to scramble. Luckily for Cannon, Jimmy G picked up the first down.

Garoppolo would connect with Mitchell on the very next play for 24 yards. The pocket looked really good again. At this point it seems as if protection is improving as the night goes on. An incomplete pass to Develin on first down would leave the Pats with 10 to gain. Bolden would attempt to the right but the Stork/Thuney double team failed. Stork seemed to have been in too much of a hurry and Thuney didn’t get there in time. As a result their man went virtually unblocked and stopped Bolden in the backfield.

The Patriots would face a long third down attempt. Belichick used the runningbacks to chip the ends and give Garoppolo time. He would almost throw a pick, but it was luckily out of the hands of Saints defenders. Mason‘s rusher would attempt to beat him outside with a move. He didn’t look particularly athletic/took a messy pass set. Luckily for him the rusher ran into Cannon. This ended the drive and the Patriots field goal attempt was good.

Third Drive Nine plays

Solder-Thuney-Andrews-Kline-Cannon 

The first play of the drive featured a run by Blount. It seems Solder is getting better as the game continues. He did a fantastic job of picking up a blocker at the second level, opening the door for a four yard gain. Mitchell would make another great play to earn a first down on the next play. Both Solder/Cannon cut the ends. They weren’t the prettiest cuts I’ve seen. Probably something they need to work on.

Blount would take the rock up the middle before the two minute warning. Solder/Thuney had a fantastic double team. It might have been a huge play if the defensive player hadn’t held Thuney. He wasn’t able to get to the second level.

It would be 2nd and six with 2:00 minutes to play. Solder’s pass set looked greatly improved on this play. He is finally throwing a punch. The entire offensive line executed well and Mitchell earned a first down. Unfortunately appeared to dislocate his elbow during the play.

With a fresh set of downs and 1:55 left, Bolden took the hand off from Garoppolo. Solder appeared to have sealed off a strong block but lost his base again and his man almost tackled the Patriots back. This play featured the first time I’ve seen Thuney pull in a live game. Fantastic job of fighting through traffic, finding the hole, and delivering a blow to the backer in the gap. Kline/Cannon had a violent double team, but Cannon fell. Kline still managed to control the block. Bolden rushed for a great 24 yard gain.

Two plays later, White would take the handoff and complete a nifty run up the middle. Solder knocked his man out of the way, but his form was sloppy again. It simply appears as if he is off balance. Thuney earned yet another pancake on this play. Kline attempted to block the linebacker at the next level. He had good initial contact but failed to maintain control over the defender, almost falling over.

Blount would be the next back to carry the ball. The situation was 3rd and inches with :56 seconds remaining in the half. The offensive line executed well on this particular play, but other members of the offense did not. Blount was tackled in the backfield and lost a yard. Garoppolo would go for it on 4th and 2 with an empty backfield. There was great protection up front but White couldn’t hold onto the pass thrown his way.

Quarter Three

First Drive Six plays

Waddle-Barker-Kline-Karras-Fleming

The Patriots received to start the 3rd quarter. Brissett took over reigns as quarterback. Gaffney lined up in the backfield behind the quarterback. Waddle and Barker did a good job working up to the second level. Karras pulled around to block but didn’t look highly athletic doing so.

Two plays later, Brissett threw the ball downfield to Harper. The pass sets looked pretty good up front. It was encouraging to see Karras pick up the right guy when the Saints blitzed an extra man through his part of the line. After the penalty, Gaffney would receive the hand off and run for the right half of the offensive line. Kline showed his rust at center, completely whiffing on his block attempt. Karras did made solid initial contact and pancaked his man. The Tight End and Wide Receiver completely whiffed on their blocks and Gaffney was only able to gain a yard.

Second and 9 and Brissett would look to pass. Waddle looked great at tackle again. He does a great job of creating space between him and his man. Fleming gets the job done, but it’s not as fundamentally sound compared to other Pats tackles. Brissett had a good pocket and almost threw a pick.

It was now 3rd and 9. Brissett would look to throw again with similar result. Waddle didn’t gain enough speed in his vertical set and was beat around the outside. Karras and Fleming saw a defensive “game” run against them on their side. They both did a great job of identifying it and passing off the defenders. Unfortunately the pass was incomplete and the Patriots would punt.

2nd Drive Three plays

Waddle-Barker-Kline-Karras-Fleming

Brissett would come out ready for this drive. He looked to his Tight End Derby for a completion. He would not let his quarterback down, making a beautiful catch for 24 yards. The protection looked solid across the board. Brissett would target Derby again on the next play. The Saints tried to run a game on Fleming’s end of the line but the “looper” didn’t get to Brissett in time. It would have been encouraging to see Fleming identify the game up front but he didn’t come off the end to block the “looper”. Either way, Derby caught the ball and gained another 12 yards.

https://twitter.com/DFSDAILYBEST/status/763914658797514752

The Pats would go to the ground on the next play. Gaffney was in the backfield behind the quarterback. The play initially started off left, but Gaffney found a massive hole in the offensive line between Karras and Fleming. It was more or less a mistake by the Saints that made this play. The linebacker lost Gaffney in the pile. The most important block was likely by Fleming although it was pretty close to being a block in the back penalty. Gaffney took it all the way to the end-zone for a 44 yard touchdown.

3rd Drive Three plays

Waddle-Barker-Kline-Karras-Fleming

The Patriots would roll out ready for another successful drive. Unfortunately Karras screwed up and received a five yard false start penalty to start the drive. You simply can’t do that when you’re competing to make an NFL team.

So the Patriots would start 1st and 15, forced to attempt a pass on first down. Both Fleming and Waddle attempted to cut unsuccessfully. The interior of the line looked solid, unfortunately the pass was incomplete. The next pass would meet the same fate. Brissett narrowly escaped an interception. So it would then be 3rd and 15. The pocket would start to collapse but the ball would get away just in time for a completion to Gaffney. The Saints forced the Patriots to punt with 4 minutes left in the 3rd quarter.

Fourth Quarter

First Drive Three plays

Waddle-Barker-Kline-Karras-Fleming

The third quarter group would roll out again for the fourth. Brissett would look to pass on first down. Two ugly cuts again by the offensive tackles. This is clearly an area that needs to improve from the top down. Brissett would complete the first down pass to Dobson. Belichick would go to the ground on 2nd and 6. Gaffney would look for room up the middle, but the double team between Waddle/Barker failed to block the defensive back that walked up in front of them. Waddle should have blocked him at the line of scrimmage. There would be no gain on the play.

3rd and  6 would mean another Brissett pass attempt. The pocket looked really good, but the pass was far off target. This would force another Ryan Allen punt.

Second Drive Nine plays

Barker-Kerbyson-Karras-Halapio-Milton

Rookies and the lower half of the roster would be put to work in the fourth quarter. Gaffney would be put to work again on the ground to start the second drive of the fourth quarter. Unfortunately Carter would miss his block and allow Gaffney to be tripped up for a gain of only two yards.

On second down, Brissett would fake the hand off and set up a screen for Gaffney. At first it looked like the Patriots might be in business: they sold the screen well. However no one seemed to connect on a block downfield. Lucien and Kerbyson didn’t block anyone and Gaffney was hammered.

Brissett would face 3rd and 10 at a critical point in the game. Only 4:45 or so was left. He would look to throw. Milton did an outstanding job of identifying the situation and even picked up a blitzing linebacker late in the play. The rest of the line executed well on that play. Derby caught Brissett’s pass and the Patriots declined a defensive holding penalty to earn first down.

Gaffney would look to run on first down but didn’t find any daylight. Karras needs to work on staying low while playing center. Barker also buried his head on the double team and didn’t block the second level.

It would end up being a long nine play drive for Brissett and company. Milton did a good job of climbing up to the second level and understanding zone running schemes at points in the drive. There were times when it seemed as if Brissett failed to identify an incoming blitz. He didn’t reset the protection or change the blocking up front. Twice in this drive defensive players ran free because of that.

A few plays later, the Patriots would run the ball to the New Orleans 27 yard line. Gostkowski nailed the 45 yard field goal attempt to take a 34-22 lead.

Third Drive Three plays

Barker-Kerbyson-Karras-Halapio-Milton

It was basically garbage time at this point in the game. The Patriots had earned victory. However, certain players make a name for themselves late in games many deem to be over.

That was not the case this time. There were no notable plays or blocks in this final drive. Iosefa and Gaffney would run the ball three plays in a row until the Patriots punted with :40 seconds remaining.

Analysis & Commentary

Solder looks like he has trouble bending right now. Initially making a strong first move but failing to finish blocks or losing balance. Defenders are easily whipping him to the ground. Solder is one of the highest paid tackles in the NFL but certainly isn’t playing like it. Hopefully he is just shaking the rust off from last season’s injury. It seems like that may be the case. Solder improved as the game wore on. Which is important to note.

Stork looks like he’s a bit rusty. Still a very strong player, but certainly not completely up to speed due to his recent concussion. He seems to be having trouble hitting his target at times. Stork is still playing tough.

Andrews looks to be performing just fine so far in 2016. It’s amazing how good both centers are. Stork might play with a little bit more toughness, but Andrews is probably better fundamentally. I wouldn’t want to be the one picking between Stork and Andrews for the starting position.

Cannon was a pleasant surprise on film. He seemed to have played better as the game continued on. Cannon has never been a dominant lineman, but very solid at times. Last season was a real challenge for him. Cannon separated himself from his competition at tackle. Waddle and Fleming aren’t close to him right now. There is no question who the third tackle is at this point.

Mason was absolutely abysmal during points of this game. Missing blocks, fundamentally poor, and at times dominated by opponents. Very disappointed to see his progression at this point. When he was replaced by Kline in the second quarter I almost breathed a sigh of relief.

Thuney is currently the most consistent offensive lineman on the Patriots. It’s definitely not heartwarming considering he is a rookie. This guy seems to understand the game and his fundamentals are very strong. It’s also very encouraging to see him finishing players and adding up multiple pancakes. Thuney is one of the most impressive offensive line rookies that the Patriots have had in several years.

Kline shows his versatility to the team by taking reps at both guard and center. This also makes him more valuable to a guy like Belichick. If you have three guys capable of playing center, one will likely not make the roster. He will likely be an important piece of depth or starter depending on the injury situation.

Karras‘ looks like a guy that might not have as much natural athleticism as some other offensive lineman. He is definitely a tough player. One major mistake against the Saints: a false start penalty in the third quarter. The fact that he can play center should make him a stronger practice squad candidate.

Fleming is a big guy that seems to have trouble moving around at times. A fast and athletic defensive end could take advantage of his pass sets. I’m not sure Fleming will ever be a starter at the NFL level.

Waddle seems to have a much more fluid pass set than Cam Fleming. Seeing as that may be his competition, that bodes well. He made some mistakes against the Saints but was mostly solid throughout. He was unable to match Cannon’s game on tape.

Barker impressed me with the playing time he received. He managed to execute well with a solid fundamental base. I’m not quite sure what ceiling this player has yet but he is promising. He looked shaky at tackle, and much stronger at guard.

Milton pleasantly surprised me throughout much of the tape review. He has the physical tools, but more importantly he understands the game. He made some very nice plays getting to the second level and played steady throughout his limited amount of plays. I think he has a future ahead of him.

Halapio didn’t shine through or look particularly bad on tape. He just looked okay. I didn’t see any impressive plays, but he also didn’t have much time out there. Tough to say either way without being at practice.

Kerbyson didn’t blow me away in the first preseason game. He looked a little high and immobile at times. He did play through to the whistle in his limited snaps. Tough to say either way right now.