Croston in line behind Fleming
FOXBORO — One has to wonder when or if the attrition will finally be too much.
While every NFL team deals with injuries, the Patriots have a pressing issue at right tackle. Starter Marcus Cannon injured his ankle against the Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 29 and has not played since. LaAdrian Waddle stepped in and performed admirably before he went down with an ankle injury in Sunday’s win against the Miami Dolphins.
Neither Cannon nor Waddle participated in practice yesterday, so there exists the possibility the Pats will be looking at Cameron Fleming as the starter this Sunday in Buffalo against the Bills.
It’s a steep challenge for the team’s depth at a spot where a wrong move could mean a severe physical blow to quarterback Tom Brady. Fleming is in his fourth year with the Pats but has struggled in his limited opportunities this season. Although the team can scheme ways to help Fleming — like flank a tight end to his side or use a running back to chip a pass rusher — he will still need to win one-onone matchups.
If Fleming goes down, rookie Cole Croston could be next in line. Although he has worked at guard with the Patriots, Croston has experience at tackle from his college days at Iowa.
Although the Pats are missing some pieces, in Croston’s view, practices haven’t taken a different tone at all.
“I would say it’s kind of the same thing where we’re going full bore whatever we’re doing and (offensive line) coach (Dante) Scarnecchia’s got us working our tails off,” Croston said. “Sure, one guy down means another guy’s got to take another rep, but it’s nothing that I think we aren’t prepared for as an offensive line.”
What the Pats are preparing for is a solid Bills defensive front, but not one that has been all that effective at taking down the quarterback. Buffalo has just 17 sacks through 11 games, which ranks 31st in the league, but that number will shoot up if Fleming, Croston or anyone else who happens to line up at right tackle struggles.
“You see guys come off the field, and we’re dwindling a little bit,” Croston said, “but I think the coaching staff and offensive line has the belief in everyone in that room that we can go out there and we can compete with whoever they put across from us.”
Croston has been a healthy scratch for a team-high nine games and has been in on just six offensive snaps, including three with the offense in the victory formation against the Dolphins, but feels he’s ready to step in if the attrition continues down the line.
“I do think that, yeah, absolutely,” Croston said. “Just with the practicing we’ve gone through and the mentality that we take in each game, I do believe I’d be able to go out there and do my job.”