Patriots kickoff 2016: A look at Marcus Cannon
The No. 61 jersey of the New England Patriots belongs to tackle Marcus Cannon, so he is the subject of discussion today as we mark 61 days until Patriots kickoff.
Size: 6-foot-5, 335 pounds
College: TCU
2015 stats: Eight starts (12 games)
NFL experience: Five seasons
Hometown: Odessa, Texas
Selected with a fifth round pick acquired in a trade with the Houston Texans, Cannon has made 19 starts in 65 regular season appearances for the Patriots. As a result of injuries ravaging both tackle positions, Cannon was pushed into a larger role on the offensive line, starting a career-high eight times in 2015. Oddly enough, a toe injury limited Cannon to a career-low 12 total appearances.
Patriots won’t be stopped if they can stay healthy
In many ways, Cannon was the poster boy for the Patriots’ offensive line struggles last season. He struggled mightily filling-in for Nate Solder protecting Tom Brady’s blind side, and things didn’t get better when the Pats shifted Cannon to the right in place of Sebastian Vollmer. Cannon’s woes culminated in a forgettable AFC Championship Game in which Von Miller made mincemeat of his blocking.
Recent installments in Patriots kick-off countdown profile series:
Despite those frustrations with Cannon, the Patriots displayed their confidence in the TCU product when they elected not to sign a free agent tackle or draft a promising prospect. While Joe Thuney has played tackle in college, indications are that he will be involved more on the interior in New England. That makes Cannon, once again, the top backup tackle option in front of Cameron Fleming and LaAdrian Waddle.
Are there any offensive free agents worth considering?
On the whole, Cannon is a solid depth member of the New England trenches. He is at his best filling-in for Solder or Vollmer in spot duty, not for lengthy periods of time. Hopefully, Cannon isn’t asked to do too much in 2016, or else the Pats might be in some trouble.
Next: 10 most promising sophomore pros on Pats’ roster
Be sure to stop by Musket Fire tomorrow as we mark 60 days until the Patriots open 2016 by profiling the owner of the No. 60 jersey, guard/center David Andrews.