A hole is ably plugged

Midway through the first quarter of the Patriots’ 59-0 blowout of the Titans yesterday, the hulking 6-foot-8-inch, 315-pound German pulled right from his left tackle spot, shot up an inside gap, and slammed into a defender.

That allowed a patient Laurence Maroney to cut up, slip in between Vollmer and center Dan Koppen, and race through the secondary en route to a 45-yard touchdown that gave New England a 7-0 lead.

Blocks like that early on from the rookie, who was making his first career start in place of Matt Light (right knee), set the tone for the rest of the day.

“It was great. That’s what you look forward to as a lineman,’’ Vollmer said. “If you have a good running back like [Maroney], then you just keep on blocking. He’s the type of guy that keeps pushing.”

Since being taken by New England with the 58th pick last spring, the University of Houston product has created a bit of a buzz around the organization.

Attention has been paid to his unique background - hailing from Dusseldorf, Germany, the former soccer player and swimmer picked up football at 14 - but also his potential.

His explosive first step, along with his long, lean frame and lateral quickness, seemed to make him a solid fit at left tackle.

Vollmer replaced Light after the first play of the fourth quarter in New England’s 30-27 loss at Denver last week.

Was that an easy decision for coach Bill Belichick, who also could have moved Nick Kaczur from right to left tackle?

“He’s worked there all year,’’ Belichick said. “It seemed like he did OK. We’ll take a look at the film and all that, but it seemed like he held up all right. The protection was decent.’’

But perhaps some of those questions about his reliability, and his ceiling, were answered. Vollmer didn’t allow a sack from elite pass rusher Kyle Vanden Bosch, as the Patriots went on to tie the league’s largest shutout victory since the AFL-NFL merger and set team records for points and total net yards (619).

Quarterback Tom Brady threw for 345 yards in the first half while Maroney finished up with 123 yards on the ground.

“I had a blast,’’ Vollmer said. “We had been preparing for that all week. I’m just happy and excited to finally get out there and show them what you can do.’’

As for blocking Vanden Bosch, Vollmer said, “He’s a very good player, been in the league for nine years, somebody that goes 100 miles an hour every down, every play.

“I think he’s a heck of a player.’’

Brady, for one, was satisfied with Vollmer’s performance.

“You see how big he is out there, so he’s got a lot of physical tools,’’ Brady said. “His intelligence gets him in the right position, the right calls. He did a great job. That’s what the job of a backup tackle is - to go in and play great.

“That’s a tough spot to be in at left tackle, especially with a guy like Light who’s been so dependable.’’

Now, it’s a quick visit back to Europe for the 25-year-old. The Patriots touch down in London Thursday, and Vollmer says he’ll have a chance to meet up with his family.

But for now, Vollmer remains even-keeled and open-minded about his new role

“It’s been great. Still working, still learning, still trying to do my job, learn the whole thing, but those games are great for me,’’ he said.

“Things like this will benefit me down the road.’’