The Patriots are rotating offensive linemen frequently...and it is working.
The Boston Herald wrote an interesting piece yesterday in which they analyzed how the Patriots are changing up their offensive line combinations. Per the Herald, the Pats have used 9 different line combinations to begin their 30 drives so far this season. In week 1, they didn't begin consecutive possessions with the same offensive line personnel until the sixth & seventh possessions.
The Herald notes that many of the rotations have come at the guard positions; but truly only center David Andrew has played all of the relevant snaps so far.
For teams looking to build depth and confidence, should injuries arise later in the season, this approach seems to make a lot of sense.
Florida State offensive line coach Rick Trickett says, "I think it's one of the smartest things I've ever seen. It's genius."
The Pats are 3-0 and they are keeping their offensive linemen fresh. Interesting. Oh, and one last note, offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo adds, "It's not done just randomly. There's a specific reason why we rotate guys when we do, where we rotate them. There's a rhyme and reason to everything."
Read the full piece from the Herald here.