Offense draws line by Waddle
FOXBORO — LaAdrian Waddle wasn’t exactly eased into the role of starting right tackle a year ago.
He took over the spot just in time for a stretch that featured three of the league’s most feared pass-rushers in Los Angeles’ Joey Bosa, Denver’s Von Miller and Oakland’s Khalil Mack.
“And then Cam Wake,” Waddle offered as a reminder yesterday.
Waddle immediately proved he belonged, holding Miller to two pressures and Mack to one hit and one pressure, according to Pro Football Focus.
“I expected to fare well,” said Waddle, who re-signed on a one-year deal in the spring.
“I think I knew I was capable of doing that. I see myself as someone who can go out there and — right side, left side, wherever they need me to play — I feel like I can go out there and play and there not be any kind of dropoff or anything like that. That’s just kind of my mentality.”
Good thing, because the Patriots could be counting on Waddle once again.
Right tackle Marcus Cannon has missed three straight practices, and Waddle has stepped in to fill the role.
Waddle’s re-signing flew under the radar in the spring, but it could end up being an important move. After losing Nate Solder in free agency, the Patriots appear to be in fine shape at tackle. Cannon is a known commodity on the right side. The team has high hopes for rookie Isaiah Wynn, who enters the league with sound technique and above-average athleticism. Trent Brown has been among the most impressive players in camp. His 6-foot8, 380-pound frame has amazed even some of the Pats’ most massive players.
“I’ve got to look up at the dude, and that’s rare,” Waddle said, laughing.
Waddle is the fourth player in the group with the capability to be a starter. He certainly looked the part a year ago when he stepped in for Cannon midway through a Week 8 game against the Chargers. But a pair of injuries — an ankle in Week 12 vs. the Dolphins and a knee sprain in the AFC divisional round — limited him late in the season. He played only 24 offensive snaps in the final five weeks of the regular season. Cameron Fleming, now with the Cowboys, started at right tackle in the AFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl.
After an offseason devoted to strength training and flexibility work, Waddle feels ready for 2018.
“I think there’s a period of time where you’ve got to listen to your body, back down, and then you start rebuilding,” Waddle said. “You pretty much start all over, make sure everything’s moving good, make sure all your muscles are firing right, and then work back on getting your strength and stuff, get that flexibility so you’re moving well. I think I did a good job in all those areas, and I’ve been feeling good.”
Waddle, who enters camp with experience on both sides of the line, has exclusively lined up at right tackle through nine practices. The left side has belonged to Brown.
With Solder in New York and Cannon temporarily out of practice, the 27-year-old Waddle is the Patriots tackle with the most experience in the system. He arrived late in the 2015 season via waivers, as the Lions unexpectedly cut ties with him in December. Waddle spent the 2016 season on the active roster, but logged only one offensive snap the entire year. He broke through in 2017 before injuries disrupted his season.
By now, Waddle knows the ropes in Foxboro. And he can pass along wisdom to newcomers like Brown.
“You see how much is demanded,” Waddle said. “You see how challenging practice is. You know that if you don’t bring it every day and if you don’t come ready to get after it, it’s not going to be the way you want it to be.”
“I wouldn’t say (I’m) telling him how to practice,” he added, “but just kind of letting him know that ‘Hey, we’ve got to bring it every day’ and just have him mentally prepared that that’s the way it’s going to be.”