What's wrong with the Patriots O-Line?

Photo Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

If it seemed Tom Brady was getting hit and pressured more often this year, you'd be correct. The Patriots offensive line didn't quite do the jobs Pats fans are used to seeing in the past, resulting in their star QB getting hit more often than fans, players and coaches may like. The numbers are up more than last year, how much more so?

In 2012, Brady was sacked 27 times. In 2013, Brady was sacked 40 times.

So what exactly is to blame for this? Two reasons, one being very simple and that's offensive line health. Nate Solder has been banged up all year as well as Vollmer and at one point the Patriots counted on a 3rd string linemen to get the job done. While offensive line health is one cause, perhaps the other is Brady's talent around him. With so many new players, Brady does have to hold on to that ball a bit longer since these players aren't use to the routes and hand signals yet. This could also lead into Brady either getting hit, or throwing passes when he wasn't ready.

 While I'm not trying to blame names here by any means, the Patriots offensive line hasn't held up as well as it has in years past and shouldn't be taken for granted as they take on either the Bengals, Colts of Chiefs next Saturday night.