Patriots Make Surprise O-Line Shake-up

The Patriots' offensive line overhaul has begun, and Michael Jordan is the first domino to fall. Despite starting 11 games this season and trailing only Michael Onwenu in offensive snaps played, Jordan was released Tuesday afternoon as New England claimed veteran guard Lester Cotton off waivers from Miami.

The timing makes sense. Jordan's performance had deteriorated significantly in recent weeks, with his inability to handle defensive line stunts becoming a glaring weakness in pass protection. The move comes just hours after head coach Jerod Mayo addressed questions about potential offensive line changes following Sunday's disastrous showing in Miami:

"That's a fair question," Mayo said. "The one thing that we've talked about all year is trying to build continuity up front, letting those guys grow together as well as grow with the starting quarterback and the receivers as well. That's always been my mindset."

So who steps in at left guard? Fourth-round rookie Layden Robinson appears to be the frontrunner, with offensive line coach Scott Peters confirming he's been taking reps at both guard spots:

"If you're not in the starting lineup, you have to be able to play multiple positions," Peters explained. "With Layden, as a rookie, you wanna try to isolate him a little bit where he can learn and grow at one spot but again, if you're up and active for the game, you have to be able to play multiple spots."

The wild card here is Cole Strange, who's working his way back from a torn patellar tendon and learning the center position. Meanwhile, Cotton, the 6-foot-3, 330-pound Alabama product, brings veteran experience with 43 games and nine starts under his belt. After three seasons with the Raiders, he appeared in all 17 games for Miami last year, starting eight, before being relegated to a reserve role this season.

The question now is whether Jordan's departure signals the beginning of a larger shake-up. Right tackle Demontrey Jacobs was already benched for Sidy Sow against Miami, while left tackle Vederian Lowe's performance (four penalties and a allowed strip sack) might have him on thin ice as well.