Scott Zolak: OT is the most “chaotic” position on the Patriots

On Thursday's edition of Zolak & Bertrand, Scott Zolak agreed with Phil Perry that offensive tackle is the most "chaotic" position on the Patriots.

Perry's list:

No. 1: Offensive tackle, No. 2: Quarterback, No. 3: Wide receiver, No. 4: Running back, No. 5: Guard, No. 6: Tight end.

Beetle: Phil's got tackle as their worse spot on the field, the most chaotic, and most disorganized and unsure position, I guess you could say.

Scott Zolak: I saw Phil this morning in the lobby and we're talking about this a little bit. I completely agree 100% with tackle being number one. I think running backs too high on that just because I don't think they really let the running backs get going. Like when you give the ball to Rhamondre and Zeke they both run hard. They both can catch the screens. They can run it.

I think tight ends should be higher as a more chaotic position. I'd put tight end above above running back, I think running back is lower on the list. You know Kevin Harris, he's going to play tonight. He got elevated. We saw him run a year ago. He can run. The running backs they have can move and run. It's just are you looking at it and evaluating the position because they don't have a third down back. Is that why you call it chaotic? That could be why, you know, Phil is factoring that in. But I'm with him, tackle, quarterback, receiver, and I'd almost fight maybe receiver being above quarterback because I think the quarterback looks chaotic because the receivers are so bad.

You know it's easy to throw all the all the blame on a quarterback and it's kind of what we do and justifiably so because he gets so much attention when they win and credit. But yeah, tackle is an absolute mess. I mean, I don't know how many broadcasts you hear... Oh my God, here we go again, it's a turnstile. I mean, we've called games here this year where I can't tell you how many times there's an edge rusher coming around the edge and he's untouched.

The benefit about having Trent Brown and this is what I talked about with (Tom) Brady, why he loves Trent Brown is because the guy is 6'7 and his arms are longer than most 6'7 guys. He goes when you extend and I think, you know, Trent's not going to get there at the last second. All he's got to do is give that little nudge and push and that guy is already passed me. So I have to worry about it. Trent struggling to get to that this year. That could be coaching, too. I think the coaching at the position is a mess.

Welcome to the Week 14 edition of the 98.5 The Sports Hub New England Patriots Mailbag! With the Patriots on a short week - they visit the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday - we're doing the mailbag a little earlier this week.

Typically during a short week, coaching is a major focus. How well can the staff get the team prepared with less time than usual.

READ MORE:

--Top quarterback prospect opts out of bowl game
--Bill Belichick answers a big question about the Patriots' 2023 draft class
--Why the Patriots' quarterback change came this week

Based on the questions for the mailbag this week, coaching is in fact a focus this week. But with the team at 2-10, there's more attention being paid to the future of the staff than how the current staff is getting the team ready for this game.

With those questions and more, let's get started with this week's Mailbag...

It depends what happens with the head coaching job. If Bill Belichick stays it feels like Bill O'Brien likely would, but it's hard to say the offensive performance this year has justified that.

If the Patriots replace Belichick with a less experienced defensive head coach - likely Jerod Mayo - then it makes more sense to keep O'Brien on as an experienced offensive mind. That's the kind of OC the Patriots will need with a younger defensive coach and those kinds of coaches often aren't available - Josh McDaniels is the only other name that comes to mind. Let's say the Patriots go completely outside the organization and bring in an offensive minded head coach - guys like Ben Johnson, Eric Bieniemy, or Bobby Slowik - then it's hard to see what O'Brien's role would be.

At this point, it seems unlikely that decreased attendance would change Robert Kraft's approach to the coaching staff this year. If starting 2-10 didn't trigger instant action, it's hard to imagine some empty seats down the stretch would change anything.

That's not to say that Kraft is O.K. with a less than full stadium. I doubt he is. But that reality is a symptom of a bigger problem. If and when a coaching change is made the driving force behind that decision would likely be the performance on the field, not the resulting lack of enthusiasm from the fan base about the team.

Another reason I don't think Bill Belichick will get fired in-season is that once the Patriots fire him, they can no longer trade him. In order to get anything in return for Belichick's departure, the Patriots have to let him finish out the season.

As to what that return could be? Given the New Orleans Saints got a first-round pick for Sean Payton a year ago, that's where the negotiations should start. Belichick has a better resume than Payton, wasn't removed from the league for a year, and already had a contract in place. Maybe that gets negotiated down to a second-round pick, but anything in the top 50 would be a realistic expectation.

This one is tough, because there's not a lot of precedent here. The closest, most recent trade had the Bears giving up two third-round picks to move up from the third overall selection to second to draft Mitch Trubisky in 2017. The last time the first overall pick was traded was in 2016, but that was for the 15th overall selection so it's a very different circumstance.

According to the Trade Value Chart, a team picking second overall would have to give up its first and second round picks as well as the equivalent of another top-50 pick to make the deal work. The chart doesn't always hold true, but even to move up the one spot would take a significant cost (keep in mind the value drop between the first and second overall picks is the biggest from any one pick to another in the draft).

Right now (and subject to change) this is my favorite draft scenario for the Patriots. Move down slightly and take LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels around five or six overall, then use the assets received from that deal to move back into the first round and take one of the receivers from the second tier at that position behind Marvin Harrison Jr - either Rome Odunze from Washington, Malik Nabers from LSU, or Keon Coleman from Florida State.

It's not that Daniels is necessarily better than Caleb Williams or Drake Maye as a prospect outright. But I do believe that the gap is close enough that the combination of Daniels and one of those receivers (I personally like Odunze best from that bunch) is a greater foundation to build on that just Williams or Maye alone.

As Mark points out, the Patriots' offensive line has been an issue this year. Is the group a total tear down? Not entirely.

Trent Brown could be a part of the solution, but throughout the season he's sounded like a player determined to hit free agency and get the biggest payday possible. In a down year for tackles, there's a chance he'll have a very competitive market.

Sidy Sow looks like he can be a part of the Patriots' offensive line moving forwards. The 2023 fourth-round pick has played much better as of late at right guard, after a rough start to the season. Whether Mike Onwenu returns as a right tackle or leaves outright, the Patriots should feel comfortable turning the right guard position over to Sow next year.

Then there's Cole Strange, who will be entering his third NFL season. Strange failed to take the expected jump from Year 1 to Year 2, and while he's been competitive still is dealing with the power issues he couldn't overcome last year. What ends up happening with Strange in 2024 could come down to what happens with the coaching staff and front office. If no changes are made, the current group would likely stand by their recent first-round pick. A new GM wouldn't be as tied to Strange, and could look for an upgrade.

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.