Patriots kickoff 2016: A look at Bryan Stork
Today marks 66 days until the New England Patriots open the 2016 regular season, so we’re taking a closer look at the owner of the No. 66 jersey, center Bryan Stork.
Size: 6-foot-4, 310 pounds
College: Florida State
2015 stats: Six starts (eight games)
NFL experience: Two seasons
Hometown: Springfield, Illinois
Stork started the 2015 season on the PUP list due to neck and head injuries, watching on the sideline as undrafted rookie David Andrews excelled as the starting center. However, Stork injected life into a struggling offensive line a few weeks after his return, a much-needed jolt really.
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It was about time for Stork to endure a disappointing end to a season. After all, he became the fifth football player to win the national championship and the Super Bowl in back-to-back seasons when he started for the Seminoles in the 2013 national championship and then started for the Pats in Super Bowl XLIX in a 13-month span.
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Stork was a tight end in high school but was used primarily as a blocker, recording 43 pancakes blocks over those four years. Florida State converted Stork into an interior offensive lineman during his redshirt freshman year.
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That proved to be a good move on the Seminoles’ part, as Stork earned Rimington Trophy honors in 2013. In addition, Stork earned an All-ACC selection that season. The Patriots really got a bargain in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
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The battle between Stork and Andrews for starting center duties will be one of the best stories of training camp. Either way, the Patriots are lucky to have such a great pair of young, proven starting centers at their disposal.
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Be sure to stop by Musket Fire as we profile both owners of the No. 65 jersey: guard Jonathan Cooper and defensive lineman Anthony Johnson.