Drake Maye played two series during Saturday's preseason tilt at Minnesota, and he did it in front of an offensive line that, as the Big Boy noted, is still unsettled. In seven dropbacks, he was hit only once, and quite frankly, that was his fault, taking an unnecessary knock on a throwaway. Otherwise, the line did what it needed to do against a slew of backups.
That shouldn't give you a false sense of security about what's happening up front, especially when you consider how much the group struggled in a pair of joint practices against the Vikings' excellent front seven. That was the actual litmus test, and what they should be judged upon.
It was there that Jonathan Greenard used and abused Will Campbell for three sacks in an 11-snap sequence. Mike Onwenu got worked over once. Morgan Moses, too. The day prior, both guys on the left side - Campbell and Jared Wilson (on that day) - had their troubles. Garrett Bradbury as well.
That said, the starting five yesterday - Campbell, Ben Brown, Bradbury, Onwenu, and Marcus Bryant - appeared to be on their game in terms of communication and executed some combination blocks well.
Of particular interest was the work Brown and Bradbury did on Treveyon Henderson's 10-yard run during the offense's second drive of the game (3rd and 10 at the Vikings 25). The two joined forces at the snap, doubling the defensive tackle who was head up over the left guard. Brown sank his hips and started to move rookie Elijah Williams, and Bradbury slid off the block and picked off safety Kahlef Hailassie. It was that effort that helped Henderson wiggle free for a couple more yards and move the chains.
Three plays later, Henderson struck paydirt, and the work of Brown was notable. He engaged with Campbell's defender, who was playing the left tackle head up. Campbell quickly gained control, and Brown climbed to the second level to cover up linebacker Kobe King. If he doesn't, King's getting his shot at Henderson in the hole. Instead, Henderson cuts off of tight end Austin Hooper and fullback Jack Westover - they executed a double on the edge - ran through a one-armed tackle attempt from Bradbury's guy (the Pats center was just effective enough), and scooted into the end zone. Campbell may have gotten away with a hold - his right arm got extended outside his narrow frame - but it was quick enough that a no-call was fair.
Another play that highlighted Brown's work at the guard spot came on Maye's throwaway (as mentioned above). He had no one lined up across from him, so at the snap, he turned to Campbell. When he saw the rookie have his man under control, Brown flipped his head back inside to Bradbury and chipped the nose tackle, Williams, with such force he relocated the UDFA around both Onwenu and Bryant and entirely out of the play. Brown made sure to follow him to make sure Williams stayed that way.
It wasn't all perfect for Brown. He opened that second drive by partially whiffing on a double with Bradbury. In fact, where he contacted the defender, DT Taki Taimani, allowed him to disengage from Bradbury's initial contact and make the tackle of Henderson after a short gain. There was another rep on the play just before the touchdown, where Brown ends up with one leg in the air, almost as if it was an ode to Ralph Macchio and his Crane kick maneuver in 'The Karate Kid.' The 27-year-old got a little too narrow in his base after delivering the first strike, which allowed DT Travis Bell to rip inside, come across his face, and get into the backfield. Antonio Gibson had to navigate that traffic - and penetration off Bryant - and got swallowed up at the line of scrimmage. In other words, not perfect, but Brown's work might buy the Pats time with Wilson's development, or perhaps allow him to re-enter into a competition at center with Bradbury. Indeed, there's more upside based on Wilson's athleticism, and his tape from Saturday was damn good (mostly at center), but Brown has now gone from an afterthought to a real candidate to start week one. I didn't have that on my bingo card when training camp opened, and based on how he was utilized for the first week and change, neither did the coaching staff.
