The New England Patriots offensive line is looking significantly improved this season, but that does not automatically mean that no questions remain. One of them is about the team’s left guard, third-round draft pick Jared Wilson.
Starting six of the Patriots’ first seven games this season, Wilson has ridden the rookie rollercoaster a bit. He has had some strong moments both as a pass protector and run blocker, but also has had his run of struggles — including last week, when he gave up a pair of sacks
in a win against the Tennessee Titans. Nonetheless, fans still feel good in him as the team’s left guard.
As results from the latest SB Nation Reacts survey show, 76% of participants believe Wilson should remain in the lineup in spite of his ups and downs.
The comment section also largely reflected this result, although there was some dissent as well.
Patriotpower
Wilson should sit and take tips from Brown in how to protect the quarterback…Felkey
If Ben brown is going to be notably better, yes. But I think we know what Brown is. A serviceable backup all over the interior who can spot start but will also have his rough days. I’m that case, I think it’s best to keep running with Wilson so he can grow for the long term.
Funnily enough, the patriots weren’t really supposed to be contending for much this year. Most predicted 8 or 9 wins and maybe 1 or 2 more with a lot of luck. Someone like Wilson was supposed to sit a year but he played well this summer all our other guards sucked bad enough to get cut. So he too is a year ahead of schedule.
As I see it, we are basically playing with house money this year. So unless there’s a clear upgrade, just keep rolling and see how far we go.IFormation
Looks good to me. I don’t know why you’d fiddle with the OL at this point.PatPatriot59
Play Brown, let Wilson get a chance to earn his way back. It will help both of them. Brown was a decent center last year and played well at guard this year. In time maybe by next season Wilson will be the better player. For now it seems like with Browns experience hes better at this moment. Besides they drafted Wilson to be the next center. Right now we have a good center. Let Wilson practice both. If Brown flops Wilson will go back in wanting to show he should be the starter. Its a fairly common method coaches use with young players to get them to study and practice harder.
No matter what this years line is already way better then the last years pitiful offensive line. At worst they draft a lg next SpringPetePatriot
I thought they should have held on to Strange for one more year. Btw he is starting for the Dolphins, and they are very happy with him.
Pre-draft scouting report on Caedan Wallace: “Transitioning Wallace inside could exploit his robust guard traits-his punch timing, core strength, and ability to climb to the second level-while shielding him from the more dynamic outside rush threats. Ultimately, Wallace presents as a developmental prospect with the tools to grow into a versatile interior lineman or a swing tackle role. His draft stock hinges on teams’ evaluations of his ceiling as a flexible line option capable of adapting to both guard and tackle spots.”
Why not try Wallace at guard? The Patriots had him working at guard during training camp.AlecinBerlin
Yes. He is learning by doing. Overall, our O-line has vastly improved. Of course, Drake’s play is also helping.
All in all, this week’s survey results look as follows:
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Overall, Patriots fans are very confident that the team is headed in the right direction. For a third week in a row, 98% of fans are happy about the state of the team, a number that will stay high if the game predictions turn out accurate: 96% think the team will beat the Browns on Sunday, including 58% who see a victory by multiple scores coming up.
That being said, NFL fans as a whole are not quite as hot on the team moving forward. Only 27% think that New England will end up winning their division. For comparison, when we polled Patriots fans last week, 48% of them predicted the AFC East title returning to Foxborough.
