First and foremost, there’s availability: Due to health and ineffective play, the Patriots have used eight starting offensive line combinations through nine games. This includes four left tackles in Chukwuma Okorafor, Vederian Lowe, Demontrey Jacobs and Caedan Wallace.

“There have been a lot of different things, whether it was due to injury or performance,” head coach Jerod Mayo said. “That’s part of football and that’s part of my learning as a head coach.

“These things are going to happen. Some years are worse than others. It’s been hard to get the same group on the field every week this year.”

In total, the Patriots used 10 different starting engines. The most points in a single NFL season since 1999 was 14 by the 2022 Rams.

“It would be more accurate to say that we have achieved continuity, because every week you get better and the players get used to playing in the same position or together and that’s it,” admitted Peters. “That’s definitely a goal.

“The advantage of having a lot of moving parts is guys get experience and experience. You develop a level of versatility and, as you know, with the nature of the NFL with all the injuries that go on, it’s important to have that. So on some level you’re building something there.”

“But on another level, you really want to say: ‘Hey, let’s dig in and try to see some continuity over the weeks.’ Because you see your earnings there.”

Over the past month, Peters and his group have also spent a lot of time trying to figure out what’s happening with run blocking. The Patriots began the season as a physical-first team; They accumulated 355 rushing yards in the first two games. They have averaged 87 yards rushing per contest over the last three weeks.

While it’s important to note that many things have caused this decline, particularly situational football, the line bears much of the burden.

“It’s a combination of things that are not up to par,” Peters said. “The first thing we do not accept is mental errors. And so we had a few of those in key moments and I think some areas where it wasn’t as physical as we wanted it to be. But it was a point of emphasis for us. “So kids know what they need to do and their expectations.”

One of the ways Peters and the Patriots are trying to find a solution? The staff is mixed. Versatile big man Mike Onwenu has been used on a temporary basis at multiple positions, working at right guard and right tackle.

Earlier in the week, during the brief window when practices were open to the media, Onwenu was seen taking photos at left guard, a position he has not played regularly since 2021. However, in Friday’s training, Onwenu was seen moving to the left guard position. representatives at right guard, young Michael Jordan at left guard (started eight games this season).

“Mike has been perfect for us as a versatile player,” Peters said. “So Mike is our best player. So it was kind of a workaround for us. “He played tackle and defense, so he’s ready to play anywhere.”

In 2021, Onwenu moved from right guard to left guard but was eventually benched in favor of veteran Ted Karras. While Onwenu’s versatility is unmatched on New England’s offensive line, Peters acknowledged it can be difficult to transition from one side to the other.

“It’s very difficult,” he said. “Especially when you have years of experience on one side. But I think there needs to be representatives for this to work. If you write with your right hand and then move to your left hand, it’s different, of course. I won’t claim that HE It is difficult, but there are difficulties there too.

“It’s more about how comfortable it is to be able to translate things in your mind. This is the exact opposite spin. You have movement patterns, but they are mental. If you can turn that around in your mind, that’s one thing. But movement patterns take some time.”

Regardless of where Onwenu is on Sunday when the Patriots face the Bears in Chicago, his versatility has been the best part of the offensive line this season.

“I have great appreciation for Big Mike and, above all else, his willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team win,” Mayo said.

The Patriots head into Sunday’s game with a renewed determination to block as Peters and the coaching staff continue to search for solutions. If it pays off, it will have gone a long way towards victory.

“I’m really excited for our group this week,” Lowe said. “Speaking on behalf of the O-line, we did not perform up to standard last week. This is very clear. It’s on the record. We know we will be better, especially in the ground game. That’s the highlight of this week for us.”

Christopher Price can be reached at [email protected]. follow him @cpriceglobe.