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So do I. This re-signing of the swing tackle Marcus Cannon, is only a confirmation of that thesis, despite the vehement protests by some Draftniks.
Belichick finally has an opportunity to build a truly dominant Offensive line. He has had to win with good tackles and acceptable hardnosed journeymen in the Offensive interior line. It has hurt in a couple of Superbowls, when one or more of the regulars gets dinged up, like Neal and Hochstein. He has relied on Dante to find acceptable reserves from the tailings of the League's castoffs,while he rebuilt other positions.
Now that the Defense has been reconstructed into a Championship caliber group, with ample depth everywhere, and the Offensive skill positions fortified, BB can do a thorough job on the Offensive line.
UDFA PS graduate players like Kline, Devey and Barker can be upgraded with starting caliber replacements. Re-signing Cannon gives BB a chance with only 3 upgrades to do rather than 4.Turning over 4 positions in a single year is excessive for a winning club.
The "hope" from both the team and fans is that Fleming may be used on the inside of the line. Then again, we constantly heard the same kind of hope with Marcus Cannon as well, and that never happened with any success.
As usual, we really have no idea aside from the fact that Fleming is very likely to get more opportunities at guard. Whether or not he pans out there is anyone's guess. All we can do is hope for the best. In the meantime, he's looked good at the end of the line playing some rotational tackle/extended TE.
I can certainly see why many believed that Fleming would be the replacement to Cannon, however--even if they were incorrect. Cannon was having a miserable year and due for free agency. I highly doubt too many here had him being resigned at the kind of money he brought in--even if it only ends up being for 1 year.