If there's one thing the Patriots' 2019 season taught us — ok, it taught us many things, especially on offense — it's that blocking and scheme fit should never be taken for granted.
The Patriots' blocking was so good in 2018 that it helped lift an average offense into a Super Bowl winner. It wasn't exactly the most dominating run to a title, but Lombardi trophies aren't given out with style points.
The Patriots could have used that kind of ground and screen attack again with a limited passing offense in '19, but the unit was decimated by a string of absences:
- TE Rob Gronkowski retired;
- TE Dwayne Allen was released;
- LT Trent Brown signed with the Raiders;
- C David Andrews went on IR with blood clots;
- FB James Develin went on IR with a neck injury;
- New TEs Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo couldn't stay on the field;
- Backup C Ted Karras missed a game and was dinged up;
- RG Shaq Mason didn't play to his near-All Pro level.
In short, it was a mess. The entire run-blocking apparatus took a step back and that, compounded with the issues at tight end and receiver, made for a slog offensively for the Patriots.
With health and another year in the system, the receivers should be in decent shape. The tight end position obviously needs to be addressed and could be headed for a double-dip in the draft. The Patriots signed Packers FB Dan Vitale should give them stability in the event Develin can't make it back from a very tough injury (neck) for a fullback.
But center is a big question mark, not only in relation to Andrews' health, but also the future. Security blanket Steady Teddy Karras signed with the Dolphins in free agency, leaving Andrews as the only center on the roster. James Ferentz is a free agent, and isn't considered a viable alternative for the team if a starter is needed.
Andrews is likely to return. He's been in constant contact with the team and there's a lot of optimism that he'll be back at full strength this season. But no one knows his long-term prognosis. In short, the Patriots will need to have a real backup plan this season.
What happened with Andrews? He addressed his situation for the first time recently with 247 Sports:
“I had been dealing with some chest pains and troubling breathing, started coughing blood the first day we reported to training camp actually,” Andrews told 247 Sports. “All of this was partly my fault, just being dumb and pushing through it. I thought I was sick and I really did not feel like myself. It was not like I was having a bad camp. I just was not having a consistent camp.
”Specialist comes out and says I have blood clots, I had no idea what that meant. I told the doctor I needed to get back home to let my dogs out, and from that point on, I knew it was serious. They would not let me leave and I spent five nights there. My first call was to my dog walker, actually. Then I had to call my wife and try to explain all of this. She was out of town. I actually called my former UGA teammate Clint Boiling next. He was actually dealing with these this offseason, so I called him immediately because I knew he had dealt with that. He was great and introduced me to a doctor as well. Clint was just great to me. I really had no idea how dangerous it was.”