Patriots kickoff 2016: A look at Josh Kline
The New England Patriots open 2016 in 67 days, so we’re taking a closer look at the owner of the No. 67 jersey, veteran guard Josh Kline.
Size: 6-foot-3, 295 pounds
College: Kent State
2015 stats: 14 games (13 starts)
NFL experience: Three seasons
Hometown: Hoffman Estates, Illinois
Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Patriots back in 2013 after working out with a handful of other teams including divisional rival New York, Kline is entering his fourth offseason with the Patriots. Not too shabby for an offensive lineman in New England.
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Things started off slow for Kline, appearing in just seven games as a rookie with only one start. However, Kline became an important cog in a revamped offensive line after the Patriots’ horrendous start to the 2014 season, starting in three of 12 regular season games that year.
Kline came of age in the 2014 AFC Championship Game when Bryan Stork was out with an injury, shuffling into the starting right guard spot with Ryan Wendell filling in at center. Kline was as instrumental in LeGarrette Blount’s big day as any of the other blocker. Unfortunately for Kline, he was one of just two active players in Super Bowl XLIX to not touch the field. The other was Jimmy Garoppolo.
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Out of the handful of offensive linemen that managed to stay consistently healthy in 2015, Kline was quite possibly the best. He started 13 of 14 games, cementing his role in the Patriots’ organization as a dependable guard who is fully capable regardless of whether the ball is thrown or handed off.
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That being said, Kline will have to earn his keep in training camp this summer. Nothing will come easy among a solid group of guards. Tre’ Jackson and Shaq Mason are upward-tracking sophomore pros; Jonathan Cooper was brought over in the Chandler Jones trade; Joe Thuney was the Patriots’ second selection in the 2016 NFL Draft. And don’t forget about David Andrews, who can play both guard and center.
It’s very unlikely that the Patriots shed the offensive lineman that contributed the most to the team’s success last year, however. Go ahead and buy a No. 67 Kline jersey if you want.
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Tomorrow marks 66 days until the Patriots open 2016, so be sure to stop by Musket Fire as we profile the owner of the No. 66 jersey, center Bryan Stork.