Eliot Wolf Pushes Back About Concerns Of Patriots’ Offensive Line
Eliot Wolf seems to view the New England Patriots offensive line more favorably than those outside the confines of Gillette Stadium.
Or at least that's how he's expressing himself publicly.
The Patriots first-year executive vice president of football operations met with the media before training camp practice at Gillette Stadium on Sunday morning.
Wolf faced numerous questions about the offensive line, including a direct question about the troublesome second group and whether that was an indictment on the Patriots roster-building this offseason. Wolf previously said Chukwuma Okorafor and Caedan Wallace would play left tackle and Mike Onwenu serve as New England's right tackle.
"Which one of those hasn't happened?" Wolf replied, per a team-provided video.
Vederian Lowe has served as the starting left tackle during the last 10 or so practices and two preseason games. Okorafor and Wallace saw two and four practices as the starting left tackle, respectively, at the start of camp. Okorafor since has played right tackle while Wallace has rotated with the first and second-stringers. Onwenu served as the right guard in every practice and preseason game before Saturday.
"Okorafor is taking reps on both sides. Onwenu took some reps at tackle yesterday," Wolf said. "Again, I think we're just trying to find the right combination. We feel confident in all these players and we're just looking to find the best group rather than the best five individuals."
Wolf doubled and tripled down regarding his confidence of the offensive line.
When asked if he believes the Patriots are in position to support the quarterback, given where the offensive line stands, he said he does.
"We're excited about out offensive line group," Wolf said. "We're still looking for the correct combination in there. I think we have the pieces in place to be able to compete."
Wolf pointed to how the Patriots allowed only one sack during their preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday. Wolf tried to spin that in a positive light while acknowledging it came against Philadelphia's second-stringers. The Eagles starters absolutely tormented New England's offensive line units in joint practice two days prior.
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has been a bit more forthcoming in his assessment of the offensive line. Mayo said rookie quarterback Drake Maye was limited to six snaps in New England's first preseason game because he didn't want Maye playing behind the second-stringers.
Mayo followed up a week later and said there is a "dramatic" drop-off between the starting unit and the twos and threes.
"I think just creating competition," Wolf said when asked about Mayo's comments. "Our second offensive line, they're moving around a lot, there's a lot of pieces. We had a couple guys out yesterday so those pieces are moving even more. So, again, I just think it's about developing that consistency. It's less about an individual not knowing what to do, but it's more about having trust in the guy next to you. If you trust the guy next to you, it's easier for you to do your job."
Wolf said the Patriots feel "pretty comfortable" with the group as it currently stands, but left the door open on possibly adding free agents or those who become available on the waiver wire. New England, coming off a 4-13 season, owns the third claim spot on the waiver wire.