Pats Pulpit
For the first time this season, the New England Patriots will enter a game without fourth overall pick Will Campbell starting at left tackle.
After getting rolled up in last week’s win in Cincinnati, Campbell was placed on injured reserve and will now miss a minimum of four games. That turns Drake Maye’s blindside over to backup Vederian Lowe, who played 28 snaps in relief of Campbell against the Bengals.
Entering a Monday night matchup against the New York Giants, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has confidence in his new left tackle.
“V-Lowe has done a nice job. I can’t comment on the things he’s done before, because I don’t know exactly what those systems asked of him. Certainly have seen him on tape many, many times, but I think he’s acquitted himself well as a pass blocker. Knows what to do,” McDaniels said Friday. “I think the biggest thing for guys in this situation is just making sure that your wing man and you are on the same page at all times. Whether that’s the guard, the tight end beside you, whatever it is. It’s not a solo situation for anybody out there, especially with the offensive line, when you’re working together with somebody on every play.
“So, got a lot of confidence in him. He’s been here all year. He knows what to do. Stepped in and did some nice things last week, too. So again, we got confidence in our group. That’s the most important thing.”
Acquired by the Patriots in 2023, Lowe has started 17 games at left tackle over the last two seasons. Opening last year as the full time starter, Lowe allowed zero sacks and just two quarterback hits over his first five starts. His play then dropped off over the final eight games of the season as he played through a torn right labrum that required offseason surgery.
New England will need Lowe to be at this best Monday night against a Giants pass rush that features Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Kayvon Thibodeaux rushing off the edge. Facing off against that unit — which is now led by interim defensive coordinator Charlie Bullen — could lead to game plan changes for McDaniels.
“I think there’s things we do in every game plan, honestly, regardless of whether it’s guys that have played 10 games in a row or not,” McDaniels said. “I think you have to take the opponent into consideration. I think you have to take the scheme, the matchups, which is what we try to do every week, regardless of who it is or who isn’t out there. But I think we’re having a good three days of practice with the guys that are going to be able to be out there and playing on Monday night. And there’s certainly some things we need to do because of the defense.
“The defense is a good group, really good group. So, their front presents a lot of challenges. They do some things that...
