Scott Zolak: My biggest question surrounding the Patriots right now
On Tuesday’s edition of Zolak & Bertrand, Scott Zolak explained his bigget question surrounding the Patriots with training camp quickly emerging.
It’s left tackle. Period.
Zolak and Bertrand preview the Patriots’ training camp by asking what the top questions should be about the team ahead of their first practice on July 24 while noting areas that need to be monitored during each session.
Bertrand: What’s your biggest question going into training camp?
Zolak: Left tackle, period. Left tackle, offensive line, that’s my question. Not quarterbacks, not receivers, not tight ends, not safeties, not front. Then I would go to coaching. I have no clue what they’re going to do on offense. I have no clue. This is all new to them … The newness of the offense is the scary thing. Like, I don’t know how he’s going to call plays. I don’t know how the o-line coach is going to work. I don’t know how (quarterbacks coach TC) McCartney’s going to deal with the quarterbacks.
Bertrand: I think what you’re saying about left tackle is very important in this camp, and I think it’s more important than the question that Paul Perillo asks about, ‘Can Drake Maye have a legitimate chance to start Week 1?’ I think so much of that is based on another one of his dozen questions, which is, ‘Can someone make the transition to left tackle? Do they have one? Do they have anyone who looks like a left tackle, actually play in the NFL at left tackle?
Zolak: Part of that discussion with when Maye is going to play, it’s going to all fall on Mayo, most of it. So that’s why I say offense too. I’ve got to be certain my offensive line is good. I’ve got to watch practice there. I’ve got to see if they’re communicating. I’ve got to see if they’re handling blitzes, drills, all that. Now, he could definitely coach up defense, but when I’m saying when they come together for team stuff, get behind the offense. Watch what’s going on. You can go back and watch film on defense. You can coach up guys in defense of drills when the bags are out, I don’t have any problem with Mayo doing that stuff. When we’re in team and blitz, get behind the offense (and) watch your line because you know which blitzes are coming. You know what the defensive call is. It’s all scripted. Practices are scripted, and you want to watch how they handle it, get a bird’s eye view.
Listen to the full segment!