Andrews set to battle Titans
FOXBORO — Patriots center David Andrews has taken a liking to out of town joint practices.
The Patriots spent three days last week exchanging body blows with the Detroit Lions, an exercise that that contributed to New England’s 31-3 victory in the first preseason game at Ford Field.
This week the Patriots will engage coach Mike Vrabel’s Tennessee Titans for two days of joint practices in Nashville before Saturday night’s clash at Nissan Stadium.
“It is just a great opportunity to go compete,” said Andrews, a 6-3, 300-pound, undrafted fifth-year pro out of Georgia. “It’s is going to be a tough week down there and they are going to be ready to go.
“They have a good football team. They are tough and physical and very disciplined. So, it is going to be big challenge for us with two days to go compete and then go play in the game.”
The Patriots had won six straight games when they were bushwhacked by the Titans, 34-10, on Oct. 24 at Nissan. The Patriots offense registered 16 first downs, its second lowest of the campaign, and accumulated 284 net yards with an anemic 40 from 19 running plays.
Titans employ a 3-4 defense, a formation used by 12 NFL teams that puts a lot of stress on the opposing center. If the Titans and Patriots elect to play their respective first units in the opening quarter, Andrews will likely find Tennessee nose tackle DaQuan Jones in his grill.
“They do a lot of things on (defense) to challenge you,” said Andrews. “First they have a lot of great players and that’s pretty obvious and then they play very sound and tough and physical like I said.
“There are not a lot of weaknesses and you have to be at your best or they will exploit that.”
The Patriots’ front returns four of its five starters that powered New England to its sixth Super Bowl title in this century. Andrews has established a strong working relationship with the two guys shielding his flanks, left guard Joe Thuney (North Carolina State) and right guard Shaq Mason (Georgia Tech).
“I have been very fortunate to have those guys beside me,” said Andrews. “I played my rookie year with Shaq and Joe came in our second year and it’s been great.
“They are tough guys and they stay out there. It is just a blessing to play with those guys. They help me out a lot and make me look a lot better than I am.”
Andrews feels Isaiah Wynn, the Patriots firstround pick (23rd overall) out of Georgia in 2018, has the wherewithal to replace towering Trent Brown, who started 19 games at left tackle.
Wynn has an opportunity for a rookie do-over on quarterback Tom Brady’s blindside. Wynn suffered a torn Achilles tendon in training camp and missed the 2018 season.
“It is great to get him out there and I know that he’s worked hard to be the best he can,” said Andrews. “It is always good when you get guys healthy and out there back working together as a group.”