Patriots Hall of Famer: Patience With Offensive Line

Observers are a tad uneasy after watching the New England Patriots' offensive line, but long-time protector Matt Light offers optimism.

The New England Patriots go into the 2023 NFL season with countless questions surrounding their offense: is Mac Jones the answer in the franchise quarterback role? Who's the top rushing option behind Rhamondre Stevenson? Can someone from a new batch of receivers rise to the top slot?

All that and more, however, means nothing if the offensive line issues are not squarely addressed. 

While most of New England's starters did not play in a 20-9 preseason-opening loss to the Houston Texans on Thursday, a preview of what's to come if the Pats stand pat was on jarringly ugly display: before summer sensation Malik Cunningham engineered a 75-yard scoring drive, the Patriots (0-1) amassed only 105 yards of offense, 35 of which came on the ground. It marked a tough NFL entry for several day three draft picks including Sidy Sow, Jake Andrews, and Antonio Mafi.

One of the more reliable protectors in Patriots history, Matt Light, came to the defense of the offense during a radio appearance on WEEI, preaching patience by noting that the good times in New England lore weren't always paved smoothly.

"We went into a number of seasons with some serious question marks across our offensive line," Light said during an appearance The Greg Hill Show. "It is a position that you can develop throughout the season, right? If you don’t have it perfect on day one when the season starts, you can develop that. So, I’m going to hold out hope until we get to maybe Week 4 or 5, because that's when you know what you got.”

While the early issues could easily be cast aside by the relative ease of the preseason, where box scores are discarded in the late summer breeze the second the fourth quarter clock hits triple zeroes, it may be part of a lingering crisis: New England starters Trent Brown, Michael Onwenu, and Cole Strange continue to deal with nagging injuries and time will only tell how many summer starters will have to carry on that role once fall's debut with the Philadelphia Eagles arrives on Sept. 10.

All it takes is one assured prescience for Light's optimism to emerge. While he admits it'll take a blocking village to fully solve the Patriots' offensive issues, he's fully sold on David Andrews' Foxborough value.

“I’ll tell you one thing: I’ll always feel good if David Andrews is healthy and he’s out there playing,” Light said of the tenured center. “What he brings to the table, it’s hard to measure. You’re talking about a real leader, a guy who has a lot of respect from everybody in that locker room."

Light is also enthused by the arrival of former Adrian Klemm, whose fingers house three Super Bowl rings earned in his first five NFL seasons spent in New England. Klemm comes over from Oregon after holding the same role (among others) in Eugene.

"What I do like is that Adrian Klemm is there. I like Klemm. I played with Klemm," Light lauded. "I know he loves the game. I know he’s gonna want to get it right every play. He’s got to figure out which one of these guys, A, are going to be healthy enough to be out there, and then, B, who can fit in the best."

The Patriots' blockers' next opportunity to earn Light's favor ... and beyond ... lands on Saturday night when they face the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field (8 p.m. ET, WBZ).

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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