New England Patriots: 5 Second-year Players who Need to Step-up in 2016

Second-year center David Andrews:

The New England Patriots have a strange mix of talent on the offensive line. Anchored by two veteran tackles, the interior is a mix of young and younger players with guard Josh Kline (entering his fourth NFL season in 2016), Bryan Stork (third season), 2015 fourth round draft picks Tre’ Jackson and Shaq Mason (second season) and undrafted free agent center David Andrews (second second season) all returning.

With the return of offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia, there are no favorites likely to be played and a true competition for the three starting spots inside. One player to watch is Andrews, the center from Georgia. Pressed into service with injuries to Stork and veteran Ryan Wendell, Andrews not only started but played well in the middle of the offensive line.

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Andrews started and played every snap over the first nine game of the season. When Stork returned from his neck injury, Andrews went to the bench. While injuries at other positions certainly impacted the result, the once explosive offense which did not score less than 27 points with Andrews in the starting lineup was held under 27 points in five of the next eight games (counting playoffs–Andrews started and played all of the week fifteen Tennessee game which was the only time they topped 30 points since week eight).

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Stork, having started the Super Bowl the previous season got his starting center role back when healthy, but it may have been a mistake. While Andrews lacks the brute strength needed at the position which Stork has, he has excellent technique and leverage and is the type of player that fits the Patriots model under head coach Bill Belichick: he is football smart and gets maximum results from his ability.

Stork eventually took over at center after Andrews struggled with the brute strength of New York Giants nose tackle Cullen Jenkins in week ten. That may have been an over-reaction by offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo (who has since been let go) as there is no doubt that Stork was far off his strong play of 2014 (which may have been because he never fully got 100% healthy).

Either way, the Patriots may have been better off with Andrews at center for all of 2015 and let Stork play guard once Tre’ Jackson was injured. It will be interesting to see how the interior offensive line looks this summer with Andrews in the offseason strength and conditioning program. Do not be surprised to see Andrews–if he builds upon his impressive rookie season–wrest the starting center job from Stork this summer.