Dolphins pose tough early test for Pats reshuffled O-line
Whatever group gets sent out there, they'll have little time to settle in and get acclimated. Instead, they'll find themselves thrown into battle with the Dolphins, who boast one of the league's best defensive lines. Most of Miami's success against the Patriots has come when they've been able to pressure Tom Brady out of his rhythm, and while Brady is 17-7 in his career against the Dolphins, he's merely 6-6 facing them in the toasty confines of Sun Life Stadium.
The challenge starts with Cameron Wake, who quietly remains one of the best and most consistent pass rushers in football. Wake had another fine season last year, racking up plenty of pressures despite a low (for him) sack total of just 8.5, and he's shown no signs of slowing down at age 32. Lining up primarily at left defensive end, it will be up to either Vollmer or, if Vollmer does get moved to guard, Marcus Canon, to keep the three-time Pro Bowler quiet.
At least the Patriots know they'll have an experienced player dealing with Wake. It could very well be Kline, an undrafted rookie from 2013 with one career start on his resume, butting heads with the perennially underrated Randy Starks on the interior. Starks has flown under the radar amongst the national media, but most football junkies know him as one of the best run stuffing defensive tackles in all of football. The Patriots will undoubtedly want to establish offensive balance by running the ball, but that could be easier said than done with Starks working against a line that hasn't had adequate time to gel.
Starks and Wake are the headliners, but Miami has depth on their defensive line as well. Jared Odrick has turned into a solid player, albeit one not worthy of his first round selection in 2010, while Earl Mitchell and Oliver Vernon give the Fins two more capable players to throw into their defensive line mix. It's a group that figures to be the strength of their defense, even without suspended 2013 third overall pick Dion Jordan for the first four games of the season.
If the 2014 Patriots are to live up to their considerable potential, the reshuffled offensive line will have to gel in a hurry. The Dolphins are far from the only tough defensive line coming up on the schedule; Week 2 opponent Minnesota boasts a pretty deep group up front, and the schedule presents a brutal four week stretch of Kansas City, Cincinnati, Buffalo and the Jets from weeks 4 to 7.
Considering the Pats are currently engaged in an arms race with Denver, any one loss could be the difference between a presumed AFC championship game showdown being played in Foxborough or Denver. It will be imperative for the offensive line to play well enough to allow the team to get off to a hot start, starting in the September heat of Miami.
