Various issues have massively hampered the success of the Patriots offense this season, even since rookie quarterback Drake Maye took over under center. Perhaps the worst of all has been the offensive line's up-and-down performance, which wasn't helped by constantly changing the lineup every week.
All but one week so far, the starting group has changed in one way or another, which is still the plan moving forward as the team enters Week 10.
Starting right guard Mike Onwenu has been practicing at left guard this week, the position typically held by Cole Strange. Because he has been out all year healing an injury he suffered late last season, the team has experimented with different players in his spot. Over the last several weeks, it has been held down by Michael Jordan, but the coaching staff have decided to test out their best player there this week instead.
While doing all they can to make the group better collectively and more solid for Maye to work with, it doesn't seem like the best idea to make constant changes that are unlikely to yield the result you're looking for, especially moving your best player to the opposite side of his natural position.
Mike Onwenu just met with reporters for a few minutes and talked about potentially playing LG on Sunday.
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) November 7, 2024
On whether he's switched positions too often: "It's hard to say. ... We're making it work."
On his performance this season: "I'm not really that happy with how the season's…
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It also doesn't help when a player is not exactly thrilled with all the switch-ups, and his performance appears to be suffering because of it.
Switching Mike Onwenu on the offensive line again is not a good idea ahead of Week 10 matchup
Making up for the continued absence of Strange makes sense and it's certainly something the Patriots should be doing. However, having as many changes to the starting group as they have played games is nearing beyond reasonable at this point, even more so when the guy they just paid this offseason isn't producing the type of season because of the experimenting with the starting lineup.
Onwenu experssed his unhappiness about it to NBC Sports Boston's Phil Perry on Thursday, noting his season hasn't been going according to plan.
While he didn't outright blame the moving around the offensive line, it's clear that's part of the problem and would be for any player dealing with the same situation.
“Some of it could be the (position) movement. Some of it could just be mental. Just looking forward to putting better film on tape.”
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) November 7, 2024
If they do decide to move Onwenu to left guard for Sunday's game, hopefully it pays off immediately or moving the group around again mid-game could be another massive mistake.
It's not fair for the linemen nor is it fair for Maye having to navigate through it all.