With Jacoby not having much time to set up and throw the ball coming out from under center, why do you think we're not operating out of the shotgun formation? Seems to me that would give Jacoby a bit more time to survey the defense and get into a quick passing rhythm. Thanks. -Jeff Draz

First, I think it goes to the core offensive philosophy of everything being built off the run. But overall they've actually been in in shotgun 60.8% of the snaps and under center 38.5%. They've taken 15 of 19 sacks in shotgun as well. On first down, those numbers change to under center at 61.3% and shotgun at 37.8%. So I think they've been in shotgun plenty but it hasn't really made much difference. -Mike Dussault

How to fix the OL? This is not rocket science. First, pray Dave Andrews surgery was a success and he can return next season. Second, move Onwenu back to RG, he is NOT a tackle. Third, we need to sign a veteran free agent LT and a free agent RT, they can be older players as a bridge to younger players; or younger players with proven skill and potential and there are several free agents that fit the bill. Fourth, we need to draft, at least, one top tackle in the draft and perhaps 2 depending on our FA signings. Fifth, we need to find a competent backup center. IMO, we need to have a starting OL beginning to play together in minicamp; and quit switching RTs to LT or Gs to T. It's a pretty simple plan, although probably harder to do and we might have to overpay to get it done. -Badax Michaud

I get wanting to fix the offensive line but this plan throws a lot at the wall and I hate to tell you but there are some other high-priority positions that will need attention too, like edge. I'm all for drafting a left tackle with a first-round pick and I think you're dead on for making sure a plan is in place behind David Andrews at center. Don't forget about Jake Andrews in that regard, as he should be in the mix. I know it's been rough through five games but at this point I'm going to wait and see where things end up in January before saying we need to invest two-to-three draft picks and two free agency contracts just to fill two starting spots and a backup center position. On the continuity part you're very right and I'd argue it's what they tried to do within the first week of training camp when they settled on a group that they're just getting back to. Injuries always seem to complicate things, so I'd say it's more about getting all the players on the same page so you're ready to deal with absences when they inevitably happen. I don't rule out that they have four of the five spots figured out by the end of 2024 and just need that stud long-term left tackle to really solidify the group. -Mike Dussault

Hi guys - Just wondering if any (or all) of you are going to be in London for the Jags game and, if so, any plans for any appearances anywhere, either in the week leading up or at the game itself… -Mal Aldridge

Stay tuned, Mal! Paul and myself will be staying behind for the pre and postgame shows but I'm sure there will be some kind of get together going on. Check out the fan club page on Patriots.com for more information, as well as the Patriots Tailgate Group on Facebook. There are always things going on when the Pats go international! -Mike Dussault

With the importance of getting solid development for rookie Drake Maye, having a representative o-line is crucial. With all the different combinations so far a few things are clear. Onwenu is best at RG. Andrews being on IR is a blow. With those two things being stated how should the Pats build out of the line for the rest of the year? I would have assumed Wallace should slot in at RT if not injured. Sow should slot in at LG. Could the Pats bring in a veteran center and make a trade for an upside LT? I heard rumors of Walker Little from Jacksonville. He is a youngish, former second rounder who is stuck behind Cam Robinson. Why not see if you can pry him away, even if you have to do a slight overpay. Getting the LT squared does so much good for this franchise. It makes Maye a better development environment. It opens your first-round pick options. If not Little are there moves like that for the P*ats to make?* -Stephen Cue

I was encouraged by some of the OL play this past weekend. Still not where it needs to be but there was some good stuff on tape from the two tackles. I wouldn't overextend to grab a backup from another team at this point. Look, left tackle will be a position of need until they truly address it in the draft. I don't know why they'd want to waste capital now just to take a swing on someone like Little. At this point let's just ride it out and see who's available in the draft next year. Maybe Lowe and Jacobs can at least develop into serviceable players that can provide depth. I like Onwenu back inside, and between Sow and Jordan, and perhaps Cole Strange re-entering the mix at some point, they can figure out the left guard spot. It will probably be a grind this year, but I think they can still find some stability even from this group. -Mike Dussault

So it seems pretty certain that the Patriots are going to have a very high draft pick next year, maybe even number 1. They also have a ton of cap space. If the Pats are at 1 or 2, do they skip on a generational talent like Hunter because we absolutely have to have a left tackle or do you take Hunter and throw a bag at the top left tackle free agent? Or is our team so bad we have to trade down to accumulate picks so we can come back up to have two first rounders? What's your call at this admittedly very early stage? -Len Cormody

My call at this point would be to get the tackle as high as possible. If they were to be sitting at first overall I'd strongly advocate trading down and picking up more capital. From early mock drafts it seems like they can get Will Campbell or Kelvin Banks within the top seven or so. If you could get one of them and then add an edge player in the first round before coming back to wide receiver early in the second, I think you could really hit this draft out of the park. Let's simplify it. I see NFL teams as needing five studs and five positions. Quarterback, left tackle, wide receiver, edge and cornerback. Right now I think the team has the cornerback and very well might have the quarterback. It's not crazy to think they could hit on the other three with three top-50 picks. I'd also just say defense has real needs next year. I hope everyone doesn't get blinders for only tackles and wide receivers. Free agency should be more helpful to the defense in that regard, however. -Mike Dussault

How bad is the situation, really? Losing to Huntley-led Dolphins, injuries piling up and now the Peppers story... What might be the light of this season's tunnel? Or we do we have to just accept that this season is over by mid-October? -Ross Redd

It's been a rough run, no question but I think we all understand that the quarterback taken third overall has a huge ability to change the narrative. I don't mean to put it all on Drake Maye, but he plays the only position capable of making that kind of impact and he has the natural talent and ability to make me think he could do it. I don't think it will suddenly be a night and day change for the offense. Maye's not going to turn this 1-4 team into a playoff contender, but he should be able to do enough to let fans know that it's not totally hopeless in New England. The QB is the hardest piece of the puzzle and the Pats have one with potential already. We'll never know for sure how good he is until he gets in there but I wouldn't fold on this season just yet. It might still be a prologue year, but as we saw in 1993, even a five-win season can feel successful when you've got a rookie quarterback who finishes the year off strong. That year Drew Bledsoe went 5-7, threw 15 touchdowns to 15 interceptions and led the Pats to four-straight wins to end the year. They were 1-11 at one point. Three seasons later they were AFC champs. It can change that quickly when you find the quarterback. -Mike Dussault

DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer