Return of the Stork...any news? and what to do?

New England Pride said:

You cannot replace Andrews right now. This can be revisited in the offseason, but I think Stork can play some gaurd.

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I don't know when it will happen, but it will happen and this year. Bryan Stork is going to be the Pats Center by the time we get to December. Here's why.

David Andrews has done a fantastic job. He's "done his job". However there is a reason he played for a top SEC team, was a 3 year starter, a team captain, and DIDN'T get drafted. David Andrews has maxed out his physical ability. He's not going to get much better. On the other hand, Bryan Stork is bigger stronger, quicker, and just as smart and hard working. The only way Andrews is still the starting C come the playoffs, is if there continues to be injuries at the G position, and Stork is needed there.

BTW- this isn't to diminish the job David has done. It is nothing short of miraculous that the Pats found him as a rookie UDFA, and he's done so much in his first 7 starts in the NFL He's done more than just held the fort, but he's still not the best C on the team, and given Stork's concussion history, we are luck to have him.

patfanken said:

I don't know when it will happen, but it will happen and this year. Bryan Stork is going to be the Pats Center by the time we get to December. Here's why.

David Andrews has done a fantastic job. He's "done his job". However there is a reason he played for a top SEC team, was a 3 year starter, a team captain, and DIDN'T get drafted. David Andrews has maxed out his physical ability. He's not going to get much better. On the other hand, Bryan Stork is bigger stronger, quicker, and just as smart and hard working. The only way Andrews is still the starting C come the playoffs, is if there continues to be injuries at the G position, and Stork is needed there.

BTW- this isn't to diminish the job David has done. It is nothing short of miraculous that the Pats found him as a rookie UDFA, and he's done so much in his first 7 starts in the NFL He's done more than just held the fort, but he's still not the best C on the team, and given Stork's concussion history, we are luck to have him.

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I hate to rock the boat but maybe your right. My mentality is if it ain't broke don't fix it. O line is a big continuity position. Either way its a good problem to have.

I think both Stork and Andrews should get some reps at Guard position in training. Two pure Centers in 53 roster kind of suck, so in case of injuries one of them should be prepared for G position and that they ll be prepared as next year Wendells replacement.
As for who will play C position when Stork is fully healthy. I dont care. Let the best man win.

some info on Andrews:
David Andrews opted to join 'the best of the best' with Patriots
Andrews proceeded to bench 27 reps of 225 pounds and clock a 5.12-second 40-yard dash at his pro day.
“I wanted to show off my strength, a lot of people questioned that,” Andrews said. “And my weight, so I wanted to make sure I was at a good weight, was strong and still able to move. I think I did all that.”

But before Andrews did all that, the senior was one of several Georgia players who got the chance work out for head coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots in March.“I talked to them throughout this whole process. They were honest with me about not drafting a center, so I kind of knew what to expect from them,” Andrews said. “And the whole time, when you have the Super Bowl winning coach calling you, it kind of sets a little peace to you. That meant a lot to me.”

“Phone calls started coming during the draft. Then, teams started talking about free-agent deals, and they can’t make any deals until after the draft,” Andrews said. “Belichick called me twice, Jason Garrett, and I was talking to the O-line coach from the Atlanta Falcons, too. But at the end of the day, I had to make a decision and I think I made the best decision. They’re the best of the best.”

But i dont understand some ppl who were saying his 27 bench was not good enough and that this costed him draft. Stork had 21 bench and he was picked in 4th round

This is a nice problem to have, can never have enough quality interior O lineman.. wish we had the same "problem" at offensive tackle or CB..

For Andrews an UDFA to make this roster and never miss a beat is a credit to our scouting and coaching departments..

I think Stork's presence in the run game has been missed. I expect a gradual transition to Stork at center over the next few weeks with Andrews getting some snaps at guard. But who the hell knows, Stork played a little Guard in college also.

I think the most amazing stat is Andrews is the only Patriots player to play every single offensive snap. Pretty damn amazing for a UDFA

Patsrock said:

I think the most amazing stat is Andrews is the only Patriots player to play every single offensive snap. Pretty damn amazing for a UDFA

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Could you please delete this post?
When Goodell finds out, he will now start taking UDFAs away from our team.
He wants another hug from Vichy Bob.

patman52 said:

I think Stork's presence in the run game has been missed. I expect a gradual transition to Stork at center over the next few weeks with Andrews getting some snaps at guard. But who the hell knows, Stork played a little Guard in college also.

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If Andrews can't run block as a Center he definitely can't as a Guard. His run blocking isn't that bad anyway. We just haven't been trying to run and we've also had limited use of two young, good run blocking guards in Shaq Mason and Tre Jackson.

Why are so many concerned about Stork's return? The kid is a stud and a clear upgrade over Andrews. Worst case scenario you keep him as emergency OG depth and sub him for Andrews in the kid ever hits the rookie wall. Either way it's a win.

andrews has played every snap.........maybe they should think about giving the dude some rest along the way

Patsrock said:

I think the most amazing stat is Andrews is the only Patriots player to play every single offensive snap. Pretty damn amazing for a UDFA

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And he will get a bonus for that, from the performance-based pay system. He and Malcolm Butler are earning something like $250 for every snap they play, above their salaries.

Its' looking increasingly likely that we will see Stork Sunday.

Doug Kyed ‏@DougKyed 1m1 minute ago

Patriots injury report:
OUT: Cannon, Sheard, Jackson
DOUBTFUL: Wendell
QUESTIONABLE: Mason, Keshawn
PROBABLE: Edelman, Lewis

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Either someone will go to IR or we find out who #53 is.

New England Pride said:

My mentality is if it ain't broke don't fix it. O line is a big continuity position.

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The thing is though, the offensive line has essentially held the fort here the first few weeks, it's hardly been an overwhelming strength. We should all be looking forward to Stork coming back.

patman52 said:

I think Stork's presence in the run game has been missed. I expect a gradual transition to Stork at center over the next few weeks with Andrews getting some snaps at guard. But who the hell knows, Stork played a little Guard in college also.

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As best as I could tell, Stork played quite a bit of guard in college, he started a number of games as a redshirt freshman and started at guard his entire redshirt sophomore year.

I couldn't find any information indicating that Andrews has played anything but Center since high school. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean he can't play any guard for New England. It isn't like he hasn't exceeded expectations before, early on most didn't expect him to even make the team, much less play so well at Center during his rookie year.

aluminum seats said:

The thing is though, the offensive line has essentially held the fort here the first few weeks, it's hardly been an overwhelming strength. We should all be looking forward to Stork coming back.

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It's a valid point, and no doubt in my eyes Stork is the better center. We will see what happens.

Stork has previously played G before the NFL...Andrews has not. Stork has the size and strength to play G where Andrews doesn't have the same. Overall the line will be stronger if Stork can play RG at a high level and with Andrews at C. I am hoping to see just that in 2 days.

Zuma said:

Stork has previously played G before the NFL...Andrews has not. Stork has the size and strength to play G where Andrews doesn't have the same. Overall the line will be stronger if Stork can play RG at a high level and with Andrews at C. I am hoping to see just that in 2 days.

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For now this is probably the case. When Mason and Jackson are healthy I want Stork to reclaim the throne.

Oswlek said:

For now this is probably the case. When Mason and Jackson are healthy I want Stork to reclaim the throne.

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Yeah I should have mentioned that as well...and I agree. Were really thin at G right now and Stork is needed more there then C. When Mason AND Jackson come back...Stork could take over C as long as he is the superior player.

Stork is better. Nothing against Andrews, who's exceeded everyone's expectations. Keep both - you never know - and it'll take care of itself either by competition or injury (hopefully not).

stork will play guard since there are so many injuries.
more worried about the RT spot. fleming stinks. or at least so far has stunk it up.
if he's not getting beat on the edge, he's picking up holding penalties. then there's that illegal man downfield penalty which was mind boggling.