Cameron Fleming at guard?

Nice tidbit from Reiss:

One of the more interesting things I learned over the last week is that Patriots second-year offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (6-foot-6, 325 pounds) has devoted more time in his offseason training to the guard position. The fourth-round draft pick out of Stanford worked with Sparta Performance Science in California, altering the focus of his training regimen in hopes of improving his movement skills (less rotational, more linear) with a focus on the more prevalent side-to-side movements at guard. Fleming started one game at right guard last season (Sept. 29 at Kansas City), but didn't get a long look there after injuring his hand in that game and missing the next five contests (and later another four with an ankle injury). By the time he returned, veteran Ryan Wendell had locked down the position. Other than Fleming's one start at right guard, his primary role was as an eligible receiver/extra blocking tight end at the end of the line of scrimmage, but it sounds like the Patriots want to take an extended look at him at guard in 2015.

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Here's a video about his training:
http://spartapoint.com/2015/04/13/video-helping-nfl-lineman-cameron-fleming-change-positions/

What do you think?

Hopefully it works out. He certainly has the smarts to play inside where things move a little quicker and are less defined. It would explain 1) The apparent lack of concern at Guard and 2) The contract extension for Cannon who would be the top Tackle backup.

I think flemming is worth his pick even if he is "nothing more" than extra TE and spare OT.

If he CAN become a guard, he goes from worth the pick to very very valuable.

Frame seems legit for guard.

KevinFaulk-33 said:

Nice tidbit from Reiss:



Here's a video about his training:
http://spartapoint.com/2015/04/13/video-helping-nfl-lineman-cameron-fleming-change-positions/

What do you think?

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GREAT find. Thank you!

This is a fantastic update on a player who, I think will see a huge jump from rookie season. Fleming is a mountain of a man and is extremely intelligent. If he gets his technique in order at guard, he will be one heckuvan asset. That would mean the Pats have Cannon, Fleming, Stork and Wendell who can each play 2 different positions on the OL. That kind of flexibility is underrated, but crucial in a 53 man roser - 16+ game season.

KevinFaulk-33 said:

Nice tidbit from Reiss:



Here's a video about his training:
http://spartapoint.com/2015/04/13/video-helping-nfl-lineman-cameron-fleming-change-positions/

What do you think?

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I think they need guards and don't want to be caught like last year. Is Cannon training?

At the very least, they want position versatility.

I think it's going to be a lot harder to make the team at OL next year and that's without Connolly.

Fleming is a rocket scientist from Stanford, (really) but was not impressive as a rookie. He left Stanford with a year of eligibility remaining after earning his degree and would have benefited from another year at the BCS level.

He's got the size to do the job, and the extra work on footwork and body positioning to gain and hold leverage is great news. It would be great if he could step into Connolly's spot. I expect the Patriots to draft a guard/tackle in the third round to compete for the job.

However this works out, the Patriots will continue to get younger along the offensive line and have solid building blocks for the offensive line of the future.

The question of whether Flemming was a possibility of playing OG has been discussed almost from the moment the season ended, so that's nothing new. However finding this link was a GREAT find. We not only get a chance to look a Cameron while he works out, but get an explanation of some of the differences in technique and emphasis between the 2 positions.

Nothing to hate from the clip. Clearly the kid is working hard and knows what he needs to do to get to his goals. He couldn't be more articulate. If he can win the RG job it will go a long way to ease the pressure of finding that starting G in the draft.

I'm beginning to think that perhaps the best short term solution for the Pats OL would be to pick up Evan Mathis for this year and draft our 2016 starting LG this year. Mathis is just slightly more expensive than Connolly was, but light years ahead of him in talent. And unlike Mankins, despite his age, he has shown no sign of production fall off the last couple of years. IIRC he was rated by PPF and FO's the best OG in the league in 2013 and was rated highly again during last season's injury plagued year

Besides, if Flemming and Stork are going to be starters inside, I'd like a bit more experience on the interior of the OL than another rookie LG,. regardless of how good they are,

BTW- I wouldn't mind seeing Flemming come back to TC in July and look like he lost a little of that baby fat.

goheels22002 said:

Fleming is a rocket scientist from Stanford, (really) but was not impressive as a rookie. He left Stanford with a year of eligibility remaining after earning his degree and would have benefited from another year at the BCS level.
.

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I for one will be Wicked Pissed if SpaceX signs him & Patricia away.

KevinFaulk-33 said:

Nice tidbit from Reiss:



Here's a video about his training:
http://spartapoint.com/2015/04/13/video-helping-nfl-lineman-cameron-fleming-change-positions/

What do you think?

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Great video. Who here could not benefit from developing "the ability to hold onto stiffness"?

patfanken said:

I'm beginning to think that perhaps the best short term solution for the Pats OL would be to pick up Evan Mathis for this year and draft our 2016 starting LG this year. Mathis is just slightly more expensive than Connolly was, but light years ahead of him in talent. And unlike Mankins, despite his age, he has shown no sign of production fall off the last couple of years. IIRC he was rated by PPF and FO's the best OG in the league in 2013 and was rated highly again during last season's injury plagued year

Besides, if Flemming and Stork are going to be starters inside, I'd like a bit more experience on the interior of the OL than another rookie LG,. regardless of how good they are,

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Sounds like teams are salivating over Mathis, but that they are merely waiting for him to be cut by the Eagles who are just going in a different direction.

Would be poetic irony for the Pats to swoop in and give Philly the 4th rounder from the Mankins heist to get Mathis. Mathis + Wright for Mankins.

PatsWickedPissah said:

I for one will be Wicked Pissed if SpaceX signs him & Patricia away.

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Goodell has warned them against tampering. He confused the Pats complaint against the Jets and thought they meant Rockets.

He's bigger and less mobile than the average NFL guard. Not sure he has the lateral displacement to block on the backside on outside zone runs or when he is uncovered and he has to block an LB. Maybe he can play there in a pinch. However, the training helps him no matter where he plays.

Did some of you guys watch a different Cameron Fleming to me? Wasn't impressive as a rookie?! Not sure if he can block on outside runs? He played as a 3rd tackle/TE a LOT and was abusing people in the run game.

goheels22002 said:

Fleming is a rocket scientist from Stanford, (really) but was not impressive as a rookie. He left Stanford with a year of eligibility remaining after earning his degree and would have benefited from another year at the BCS level.

He's got the size to do the job, and the extra work on footwork and body positioning to gain and hold leverage is great news. It would be great if he could step into Connolly's spot. I expect the Patriots to draft a guard/tackle in the third round to compete for the job.

However this works out, the Patriots will continue to get younger along the offensive line and have solid building blocks for the offensive line of the future.

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Not impressive??? He was very impressive in every opportunity I saw. The kid was a beast in the running game and will only get better with a year of experience.

Moving Fleming to guard fits with the profile of the OGs the Patriots seem to be looking at most in the draft: BIG. Lots of massive but less mobile prospects, suggesting more of a power scheme.

I have no idea whether he can or can't play Guard for us, but I do admit when he came in as an eligible lineman, he was very impressive. We can sure use an upgrade at that position so I think it's definitely worth taking a closer look at.

TJ Clemmings Pittsburgh
Cameron Flemming FSU
Ali Marpet Hobart
Shaq Mason, GT

All players I'd be ok with on the line.

patchick said:

Moving Fleming to guard fits with the profile of the OGs the Patriots seem to be looking at most in the draft: BIG. Lots of massive but less mobile prospects, suggesting more of a power scheme.

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A stronger running game would certainly open up play-action for TB12 as his career winds down.

patfanken said:

And unlike Mankins, despite his age, he has shown no sign of production fall off the last couple of years. IIRC he was rated by PPF and FO's the best OG in the league in 2013 and was rated highly again during last season's injury plagued year

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Hopefully you are right, although at his age, having an injury plagued year is a huge warning light that perhaps he has begun a significant decline.

patsfaninpa said:

A stronger running game would certainly open up play-action for TB12 as his career winds down.

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True but I also think that BB has looked at season opponents and potential playoff opponents and needs a heavier lineup that can prevent the dreaded pressure up the middle so effective in past debacles where TFB was prevented from stepping up into the pocket and throwing.