All the reps with a dummy quarterback and legendary line coach Dante Scarnecchia standing behind the defense holding up the snap count are over — at least from public view, as the Patriots have gone into regular-season practice mode.
So let’s total up all the one-on-ones from camp, check out the final chart and give out a few awards — both good and bad — and dig into the future for Joe Thuney.
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BEST PASS BLOCKER, INTERIOR
Joe Thuney (14-4-2)
A repeat for Thuney in this spot and I think this absolutely is a testament to how much he's grown at the position to the point that he's one of the top players at his position in the league.
It's hard to put into words how good Thuney is with technique right now. He's footwork his perfect, and he's gotten much stronger with his hands. He has no problem mirroring and resetting with his feet against much larger players, which was an issue for him before last summer. There was a time when we worried whether Thuney would ever be strong enough against the more powerful defensive tackles in this league. That time passed long ago.
Now the question is, can the Patriots afford Thuney? He's in his contract year and is headed towards a big contract if he hits free agency. I doubt they can do an extension during this season, but the Patriots can definitely afford Thuney in the next league year.
Will they? Should they?
There is definitely an argument to be made that after paying Shaq Mason at the top of the market, the Patriots might go younger and cheaper at the other guard spot. Guards really do grow on trees, and they didn't draft Hjalte Froholdt for nothing.
But the argument for keeping Thuney, and putting a premium on the interior of the line (David Andrews is signed through 2020 with a $3.8 million cap hit next year) is this:
- As an aging quarterback, Tom Brady is more bothered by interior pressure than that on the outside. So it's more important to be solid at those three spots.
- The Patriots have a chance to be very cheap and young at tackle going forward if Isaiah Wynn is the franchise player there, and Yodny Cajuste can succeed Marcus Cannon on the right side at some point.
- The Patriots right now rank 31st in offensive line spending the league, and they'll still be in the bottom third next year.
- The Patriots should have plenty of cap space, depending on what they do with Brady.
- Thuney, at just 26, should still be an ascending player through this next contract.
So you can make the argument that the Patriots can and should pay Thuney, whom they have developed from a third-round pick into one of the league's best left guards. And there's no question he's earned it on the field.
BEST PASS BLOCKER, TACKLE
Marcus Cannon (9-4-6, 3 decisive wins)
This is a little bit by default considering there was only one starting-caliber tackle in camp with Wynn missing most of it. Still, after missing most of camp last year, Cannon was durable and dominating at times, and he had to go up against some good players (like Michael Bennett). Cannon's strength was probably his best asset, but the feet are still there as well.
MOST IMPROVED
James Ferentz, G/C (8-2-6)
While his performance in the games has not been great, Ferentz improved his loss percentage from 38.9 percent last year, to just 12.5 percent this summer. Not the biggest guy, Ferentz does a nice job with his leverage. His feet get a bit exposed in the game, and that might cost him a roster spot.
BIGGEST SURPRISE
Dan Skipper, OT (6-3-4)
Skipper's size and athletic ability stood out in the offseason practices in shorts, but you had to wonder if that would continue once the pads were put on. Well, largely, it did. After being with two teams previously, Skipper came to the Patriots raw and with some bad habits. But Dante Scarnecchia continues to do some of his best work with Skipper, who is now very much in consideration for swing tackle and would be passable as a starter if need be. And he's ceiling is that of a starter on either side. There's a lot to work with there.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
Hjalte Froholdt, OG (4-8-3)
I had very high expectations for the fourth-round pick considering scouts couldn't stop texting me about him when the Patriots drafted him. But he had a rough summer. He has good strength, but his athletic ability has been lacking — he needs to develop quicker feet. He certainly looks the part, so the potential is there.
There is good news, and this might be part of the rookie curve. Wynn was listed in this spot last year (3-7-5) and has certainly been a much better player the second time around.