Patriots O-Linemen Share Similar Outlook Early In Training Camp

FOXBORO, Mass. -- The Patriots are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of finding their "best five" offensive linemen.

Chukwuma Okorafor, Sidy Sow, David Andrews and Mike Onwenu seem to have a pretty solid grip on their spots. It's the group New England has identified as its starting unit through two days of camp, anyway, with Calvin Anderson and Vederian Lowe each taking turns getting starting reps at right tackle.

The Patriots have moved pieces around, though, with Anderson, Lowe and Caedan Wallace all getting significant snaps on the outside -- playing with multiple units as they attempt on building chemistry across the board.

"It doesn't really matter what team you play for, what system, it helps to have the same guys around," Okorafor said after practice Thursday. "It helps if (Sidy Sow) knows how I play, and I know how he plays. We don't really know who we'll be playing with yet, so it's important knowing how everyone plays."

Okorafor, for instance, has only played alongside Sow. Anderson, Lowe and Wallace, however, have played next to Onwenu, Layden Robinson, and Sow. It's a matching game, which will allow the Patriots' coaching staff to ultimately decide what the best unit is.

"It's very important," Onwenu said Wednesday. "It's early now. We had the OTAs, we had the spring, but we're getting into live football. As the practices and the days go, we'll see who fits where and how the best five (work together)."

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has been adamant about using the "best five" approach, but in reality it'll be important to find the best overall unit. Onwenu likely will have a preference on the right side, which obviously will have an impact on the overall effectiveness on whoever is playing next to him.

New England is doing what it can with the linemen, but decisions won't even begin to be made until the pads come on.

"We get full pads soon, really get to hit and really play football, essentially," Onwenu said. "It's one thing just doing pass pro, but it's another thing when you really have to block the guy."

"OTAs wasn't really football," Okorafor echoed. "We still haven't put pads on, but we're getting ready to take the next step."

It's easy to be frazzled by the lineups. Lowe isn't supposed to be the right tackle. Wallace probably should be receiving more opportunities. Okorafor still hasn't been pushed by anyone.

Just be patient. It isn't time to panic... yet.