The New England Patriots’ offensive line cannot catch a break. On Sunday, veteran right guard Greg Van Roten, already stepping in for the injured Mike Onwenu, left the game in the second quarter with a thigh injury. That forced Walter Rouse into action, and his performance? It was rough, letting up a team-high four pressures and a sack in relief. This wasn’t the plan, and now coach Mike Vrabel is looking at some serious reshuffling.
The Backup Plan That Went Sideways
Coach Vrabel laid out the strategy before the game, explaining that Walter Rouse had been working at the guard spot. “Walt has been working there. We felt confident that was the plan going in, that Ben Brown would be the center and then the first left guard in. That’s where he had been working,” Vrabel said. So, Rouse was the guy for right guard, but man, it didn’t pan out. Allowing four pressures and a sack in relief is tough, and it makes you wonder about that depth chart. Rouse, by the way, just switched from tackle to guard this summer with the Minnesota Vikings before the Patriots acquired him via a late-round draft-pick swap during roster cuts. He hasn’t exactly been entrenched in this system for long.
Ben Brown’s Time to Shine?
So, what does this mean for the immediate future? Vrabel is already signaling that Ben Brown is about to get a major look. “It’s good to have Ben back healthy. I’m sure he will help us; he’ll probably have to help us this week,” Vrabel stated. Brown, who signed a two-year, $6.6 million extension in December, started four games last season for the Patriots at left guard. He missed the regular season opener this year with a knee injury but he’s a known quantity. Vrabel didn’t mince words about Rouse, either: “I thought Walter had a few mistakes, but he competed and will have to improve. I’m sure Ben will be a part of that process going forward, and we will see where Greg Van Roten is here after a few more tests.” It sounds like the door is wide open for Brown to step in at right guard, probably sooner rather than later.
The Patriots offensive line needs some stability, and Brown might be the answer with Van Roten’s status now up in the air pending further tests. Look for Ben Brown to be a huge factor as they prepare for next week’s game. This line needs to gel, and fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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