HUGE SHOES TO FILL
Brady is not the only GOAT the Pats lost
Succeeding Tom Brady is going to be a daunting venture whether newly acquired Cam Newton ultimately takes over for the greatest quarterback of all time, or Jarrett Stidham earns the assignment.
But that’s not the only challenging — and vital — mission a member of the Patriots has to undertake this coming season.
The next biggest job? Handling the offensive line.
Who follows Dante Scarnecchia? How does Bill Belichick replace the legendary coach?
Coming in after Brady is going to be tough enough, but following Scar is no picnic, either. He’s the GOAT of offensive line coaches.
After offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and quarterback coach Jedd Fisch, who need to get Brady’s successor ready, the offensive line coach also stands high on the importance meter, especially with a new quarterback taking over.
Maybe that’s why Belichick is leaving the task to two people, not one.
Enter Cole Popovich and Carmen Bricillo.
It appears the Patriots are going with the tandem approach to handle the offensive line, with Popovich and Bricillo, who have both been in the system working under Scarnecchia, joining forces to tackle the job.
Adding to the degree of difficulty is a pandemic that made the offseason camps virtual. Because of the situation at quarterback, getting onfield time — or not — has a ripple affect. The Patriots can’t just have an ordinary line. They have to be one of the best outfits in the league to give Newton, who is coming into a new system, and-or an unproven Stidham, the best chance to succeed.
In the case of Newton, who has had two significant injuries, protection is a must for the 31-year-old quarterback. Plus, he’s not exactly the stationary type of QB members of the Patriots line are used to having behind them.
There will be a huge adjustment to having a mobile play-caller, and what that entails for the offensive line given all the tweaks that are bound to be made with the offense.
“You have to develop a feel for a mobile quarterback, but since they really haven’t blocked for a guy like that it’s going to be tough,” said former Patriots offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer. “Those things have to be practiced, or seen at the very least. … OTAs would have been helpful.”
Needless to say, Popovich and Bricillo have their work cut out for them.
“Following Scar, it’s almost unfair,” said former Patriots offensive lineman and current ESPN analyst Damien Woody. “First off, his longevity is crazy. And just the success he’s had. I’ve always said Dante belongs in the Hall of Fame. He’s been that great of a coach in the National Football League. And then, on top of that, not only are you replacing a legend, but you’re dealing with a pandemic at one of the most crucial positions in all of football.”
Along with having talented players, offensive line play is usually enhanced with the continuity of its line members, and building trust with the linemen next to you.
“The one thing about an offensive line, ultimately, you have to get five guys to play as one,” said Woody. “The only way you usually do that, you have to rep together, you have to practice together, which you’re not doing in the pandemic. So it’s going to be a challenge for the Patriots, and all the other teams as well. But when you have a new O-line coach, and a pandemic, it’s not the best of circumstances.”
Then, there’s the new quarterback element. While Stidham can use his legs, and isn’t afraid to take off when necessary, that trait is more a staple of Newton’s game. It’s a whole different animal getting in sync with a mobile quarterback, than a stay-inthe-pocket type. That process doesn’t happen overnight.
Can Popovich and Bricillo meet the challenge? First, a little background. Six years ago, when Scarnecchia initially retired, Dave DeGuglielmo, aka “Gug” (pronounced: Googe) was brought in from the outside to take over.
The Patriots won a Super Bowl that year, but it quickly fell apart the next season thanks in part to a seasonending injury to left tackle and blindside protector Nate Solder. DeGuglielmo was fired the day after the Pats lost the AFC Championship to the Broncos. Brady had been sacked four times in the 20-18 loss. But even more disturbing was the fact he was hit 20 times, according to various accounts, and the hits came from everywhere. That’s not how a franchise quarterback is supposed to be protected in a pivotal game.
That meant a swift exit for DeGuglielmo, with Scarnecchia, in turn, coming out of retirement to reclaim his old job.