LeVoir signed with the Patriots just before last season. He went undrafted and then spent the first year of his career on the practice squad of the Chicago Bears. He played in 2007 for the St. Louis Rams, who made him a late cut after training camp in 2008. Patriots personnel man Scott Pioli called him the next day, beginning what had become a familiar process for LeVoir.
“Throwing all my stuff in a suitcase and away we go,’’ he said. “I was just happy to be here.’’
By the end of his first Patriots season, LeVoir had started two games for an injured Nick Kaczur. This week, after overcoming the shoulder injury that kept him on the physically unable to perform list, LeVoir may end up in the starting lineup again.
While Light sat out and Vollmer, a rookie, excelled, the offensive line debate centered around what to do once Light returned - put him at right tackle and let Vollmer continue his strong play on the left side, or shift Vollmer to the right side? Now their statuses are both uncertain, but it’s possible Light will return as Vollmer (head injury) needs to sit out.
The easy solution of simply switching in Light for Vollmer, though, may not happen. Kaczur, the usual starter at right tackle, has struggled at times in pass coverage, particularly against Robert Mathis when the Patriots faced the Colts. LeVoir has been solid in spot playing time and while lining up in atypical formations, and the Patriots may decide he has become their best option.
Once he had his chance at left tackle Sunday, he produced one of the signature plays of the Patriots victory over the Jets. LeVoir took two steps straight ahead, feigning a run block on the middle linebacker, and cut quickly to his left. Wes Welker caught a screen pass, froze cornerback Donald Strickland with a juke, and cut inside LeVoir.
LeVoir, at 315 pounds, bulldozed Strickland with the kind of block that makes an entire stadium yelp, “Ooooh!’’ in unison. Strickland wobbled off the field with a concussion.
