FOXBOROUGH - When the Patriots inked Mike Onwenu to that big deal in free agency this spring, the plan was for the veteran offensive lineman to hunker down as the team's right tackle. Onwenu had done a solid job at that spot last season, moving from right guard to solve a significant issue for the Pats front five, even if that wasn't his preferred spot.
But after being switched back to right guard at the tail end of mandatory mini-camp in June, Onwenu was back there again during Wednesday's first training camp practice. As I've written prior, Jerod Mayo is a believer in the "best five," repeating it before the session, and if that means the highly paid Onwenu has to stick inside, so be it.
"Wherever the team needs me to play is where I'll be, essentially," Onwenu said after practice. "As the days go on, I'll keep practicing whatever position."
A former sixth-round pick, Onwenu has become a staple of this unit despite multiple coaching staff changes season after season; this is his fourth different line coach (Scott Peters) in the last four years. But Onwenu, along with David Andrews, has been a rock and appears unfazed by this latest switch.
"It was a little surprising, but pretty much as a football player, I've done it in the past - started as a guard, started as a jumbo tackle, and then I played tackle. It's just another position that I play."
Onwenu said he was given the news in a meeting with the coaches, where the message was simple.
"It was just essentially like just practice a few places, days in and days out, we're going to be switching around and it's going to be different lines. You know, getting the best five out there, and every guy practicing each position and just knowing that you can play that position."
The line didn't look particularly sharp during OTAs and mini-camp. Part of that is the lack of full pads, which disarms physicality in the running game. The CBA doesn't allow for that. The other part of that was the rotation of bodies. It's hard to get comfortable when you don't know who will be next to you from play to play. Fine.
Wednesday began the ramp-up period in camp, which also means t-shirts and shorts. That said, the line still had its issues in pass protection, and I continue to wonder if the uncertainty about who is playing where is rearing its head. We'll have a better idea once the pads come on and they get after it. Onwenu cautions against overreactions.
"It's very important, but it's early now," he said of building continuity. "We had OTAs in the spring, but we're getting into live football as the practices and the days go on; we'll see who fits where and how that fits with the best five."
But when should Peters, Mayo, and company pick those five and lock it down? Obviously, the sooner, the better, although when choosing a final spot for Onwenu, you might be surprised when he wants that certainty.
"I'm a ballplayer. Before a game day would probably be nice."