Patriots kickoff 2016: A look at Ted Karras
As the next installment in our jersey number-dictated kickoff countdown series, we are taking a look at the owner of the No. 75 jersey, rookie offensive lineman Ted Karras.
After all, there are 75 days until the Patriots open 2016 in the Arizona desert.
Size: 6-foot-3, 307 pounds
College: Illinois
NFL experience: Rookie
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
After taking Joe Thuney with their second selection in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Patriots added further offensive line depth by drafting Karras at No. 221. Football is in the Illinois product’s blood; He was the seventh member of his family to play Big 10 football, and he is the fourth Karras to reach the pros.
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Karras is a tough man’s tough man, utilizing great upper body strength in the trenches. Also, the fact that Karras was flagged just twice over the last two seasons is noteworthy and probably is a major reason why the Pats snagged him.
Recent installments in Patriots kick-off countdown profile series:
83 days – No. 83 Martellus Bennett
Now, it should be remembered that the Patriots are no longer hurting for depth on the offensive line. Drafting Karras may have been in the interests of adding a capable camp body more than anything, as the Pats already have sophomore standouts Tre’ Jackson and Shaq Mason to go along with offseason addition Jonathan Cooper, second round pick Joe Thuney and last but not least, Josh Kline, the longest-tenured player at the position.
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While Karras faces long odds to make the final roster, it’s likely that the Patriots will want to keep the rookie around because he fits well in a power-run blocking scheme. After all, the Patriots are going to want to run the ball more in the coming years as Tom Brady ages and a new offensive scheme is put in place down the road.
Next: An interesting fact about each offseason addition
Be sure to stop by Musket Fire tomorrow morning as we profile the dual-owner No. 74 jersey (Keavon Milton, Woodrow Hamilton) in celebration of 74 days until the Patriots open 2016.