Massarotti: How Confident Is Brady In Patch-Work Offensive Line?
BOSTON (CBS) -- As the Patriots prepare to play the Giants on Sunday, here's a completely unscientific factor that I can't help but wonder about: Tom Brady's confidence in the offensive line.
Sebastian Vollmer, among others, was absent from practice Thursday for the second straight day with a concussion. While there are numbers out there that suggest how ineffective the Pats have been with Vollmer off the field this year, let's take a far more human approach and just ask how someone like Brady feels about it.
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Make sense? Since Sunday, Brady has noted more than once that Cameron Fleming was at left tackle. So do you think he trusts Fleming as much as Vollmer, who has replaced Marcus Cannon, who replaced Nate Solder? I don't. I don't think it's even close.
And I have to believe that, somewhere, that's in Brady's mind.
If I'm the Giants, who the fewest sacks in the NFL, I'd make a concerted effort to hit Brady early, preferably from the blind side. Feed on that doubt and see if it can become an asset.
If the Giants don't, look out. This is a pass defense, after all, that gave up 52 points to Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.
Tony Massarotti co-hosts the Felger and Massarotti Show on 98.5 The Sports Hub weekdays from 2-6 p.m. Follow him on Twitter @TonyMassarotti. You can read more from Tony by clicking here.
