Patriots kickoff 2016: A look at LaAdrian Waddle
Ease into the post-holiday workday by taking a look at this profile of No. 68 LaAdrian Waddle as we mark 68 days until the Patriots open the 2016 season.
Size: 6-foot-6, 328 pounds
College: Texas Tech
2015 stats: Nine games (six starts), only one game was with Patriots
NFL experience: Three seasons
Hometown: College Station, TX
Claimed by the New England Patriots off waivers in mid-December, LaAdrian Waddle appeared in only one game for the Patriots in 2015. He was part of the answer to the Patriots’ injury bug on the offensive line when he filled-in at left tackle against the New York Jets.
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Before coming to New England, Waddle played 30 games for the Detroit Lions, starting 24 of those contests. Joining the Lions as an undrafted free agent in the 2013 offseason, Waddle turned heads by displacing Jason Fox and Corey Hilliard to become the starting right tackle by midseason.
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A December 2014 ACL tear, however, derailed Waddle’s career to some degree. The quality of his play dipped for the Lions in 2015, leading to the team cutting ties with the Texas Tech product. The injuries kept coming for Waddle even in New England, as he sustained a shoulder injury against the Jets in Week 16 that held him out of postseason action.
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Despite the injury woes with Waddle, the Patriots displayed their interest in having the veteran tackle around for depth purposes by re-signing him to a two-year deal this past March. In training camp, Waddle will be contending with Cameron Fleming, Keavon Milton and Marcus Cannon for the precious few spots behind Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer.
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Tomorrow marks 67 days until the Patriots open 2016, so be sure to stop by Musket Fire as we profile the owner of the No. 67 jersey, guard Josh Kline.