We interrupt your contemplation of Efton as your next baby name, and your bliss from the Patriots' 2-0 preseason record against the backups from the Commanders and, now, Vikings (scaredy cats of Mike Vrabel, obviously) to bring you the following news: after three weeks of camp, two sets of joint practices, and two exhibition games, New England appears no closer to having its starting offensive line after what transpired in a 20-12 victory over the Vikings on Saturday.
There's a little over three weeks left before the season opener at home against the Raiders on Sept. 7.
"Well, I think just when it's clear," Vrabel told reporters after the game. "There's not a timeline, but I think that when it becomes clear ... It didn't before, and I don't think it has yet now. So we'll still keep working and trying to get the best group in there."
It didn't take the Patriots long into camp to move third-round pick Jared Wilson, a center in his final season at Georgia, over to left guard - and he stayed there because his work in practice definitely stood out.
"Certainly want to give Jared the opportunity that he's deserved, which I think is to be out there with the ones in the last couple days and going forward into next week," Vrabel said on Aug. 1. "(He) was able to learn all the interior line positions and then really got off to a good start here in training camp. So, try to tell the team that, take advantage of your opportunities and you get more opportunity."
It looked very much like the Patriots had their starting line of LT Will Campbell, LG Wilson, C Garrett Bradbury, RG Mike Onwenu and RT Morgan Moses (when he was able to practice). And it looked promising — even with Campbell having some normal rookie issues at a crucial position — through the Commanders' joint practice.
Since then, the Patriots have had a rough go on the offensive line, and Wilson has struggled the most. He was one of my lowest-graded players in the game against the Commanders' backups, and he and Campbell factored into a sack/fumble by Drake Maye. Wilson continued on a downward trend in practice, and in the first joint practice against the Vikings. Despite dressing, Wilson didn't participate in the second day. On Saturday, he appeared to be demoted to second left guard behind Ben Brown, and later took his first reps at center since July.
"Just trying to get everybody the spots that they may end up in and still have the competition at that left guard and making sure that he's where he needs to be. I give him credit –wasn’t able to practice on Thursday, worked hard to get back, worked him out before the game. We all decided he’d be able to play, and he played, and probably had some good snaps and probably was going to have some snaps that we’ll need to improve on. So that's the plan is just trying to get him all the work he may need and continue to compete."
So where do things stand on the offensive line?
Campbell is coming off two very challenging practices against a very good Vikings defense, and end Jonathan Greenard. He seemed to play well in the game — I didn't see him allow any pressure, and he had a few key blocks, including on TreVeyon Henderson's touchdown. But he has yet to show well against NFL starters.
The Patriots are good at right guard with Mike Onwenu, and should be solid at right tackle once Moses can post - but his durability has to be a concern.
But left guard and, possibly, center could be put into a blender for the next three weeks. Unfortunately, we won't be able to see the competition outside of the final preseason game, as practices are now likely closed to the media.
Bradbury appeared to have an awful game against the Vikings, while Wilson appeared to do a good job at center. Could the Patriots entertain opening that competition up between Bradbury and Wilson? It wouldn't be a shock, even though Vrabel only mentioned a competition at left guard — although Bradbury's game film could change that.
Left guard appears to be an open competition again between Wilson, Brown (who is really only a center), and possibly Cole Strange, depending on his film from this game.
"The only thing I want to do, which is the only thing I can do, is to just earn a role somewhere," Strange told reporters after the game. "That's it."
And then there's the backup spots at tackle, where it seems like Demontrey Jacobs can be eliminated after another dismal outing. Rookie Marcus Bryant appears to have an edge on Vederian Lowe, although both had some rough reps against the Vikings.
"So, we'll still keep working, trying to get the best group in there, and get guys that are versatile and can help us behind them, because very rarely are you going to play the same five throughout a 17-game season," Vrabel said. "And hopefully whatever comes after that is just trying to get a good, solid group of offensive lineman, establish the first unit, but then also have some really good pieces behind them."
You'd hope Saturday's game would be a final jumping-off point for the offensive line, and the starters could take off the finale against the Giants. Now, it seems like the left guards and centers will have to keep the competition going, and Campbell could probably use more reps.
With the opener 22 days away, this is less than ideal.