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New England Patriots: Ranking Top 5 Performers in the 2017 NFL Playoffs

By Hal Bent

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots takes the field before playing against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots takes the field before playing against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 04: Rob Gronkowski #87, Cameron Fleming #71 and Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots look on in the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Cameron Fleming

The New England Patriots were down to their third-string right tackle for the final quarter of the season and the playoffs and still were able to ride to the Super Bowl. Second-team All-Pro (2016) right tackle Marcus Cannon was sidelined for the season after just seven games but back-up LaAdrian Waddle stepped in and was stout in the absence of Cannon.

Waddle was injured later in the season necessitating Cameron Fleming step in and play at right tackle down the stretch. For the last quarter of the season, Waddle struggled to get healthy with an ankle injury. Waddle took back his starting spot against Tennessee in the Divisional round. However, a knee injury knocked him out of the game and the Patriots again turned to Fleming.

NFL Playoffs

Fleming played well in relief against Tennessee. He was excellent against the Jaguars in the AFC Championship game. Per ProFootballFocus, he allowed just one pressure against one of the best pass-rushing units in the NFL.

In the Super Bowl, Fleming did not allow a sack and although he gave up some pressure from Philadelphia’s deep and talented quartet of edge rushers, he more than held his own and set himself up to make some money in free agency this offseason.

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