Andrews or Stork

[jah]

There is not even a question here. If he's healthy and in shape, Stork is your center. The Pats have 3 people who can play the position adequately, but have only ONE who can be more than that, and that is Bryan Stork.

Words can't appreciate the job David Andrews done, how important he's been and how far he's come since the start of TC. But the fact remains that Andrews is a short, undersized, nonathletic C who has far exceeded his potential. However in the end he has his limits and they are in the Ryan Windell level. That is not a bad level to dwell, but isn't all we should aspire to. Especially with Stork waiting in the wings a month down the road.

Bottom line: Our OL will clearly not fall apart if David Andrews mans the spot all year, but it will never reach its potential.

How does one exceed their own potential?

 

[50-yard-line]

Please provide evidence that Stork can play guard at a level better then the rooks (and Kilne) that have been playing well through the pre-season and through three games.

Why? The OP postulated that both Stork and Andrews were "pure centers."

Stork played some guard in college; I don't think he'd have a hard time at all slotting in at right guard. I didn't say he should displace Kline or Jackson, so if chasing shadows amuses you, go to.

 

[Canuck]

Stork can play guard.

Both Stork and Andrews should have the skills to be able to play guard. They don't have to worry about making line calls or snapping the ball. Wendell was a better right guard then center. Bill has the luxury of getting Stork and Wendell 100% healthy. I think Bill can put Stork in center and give Andrews some experience at guard and vice versa. It could be that with Stork's concussion problems, being put at guard might better protect his head.

 

[Froob]

Why are guard and center so different aside the line calls? Curious to hear an explanation why'd you be able to play center but not guard.

 

[IllegalContact]

since the 2 of them combined consume half of the cap hit of bradley fletcher, I'm not sure why anyone is disagreeing about anything.....one or the other or both......having 2 guys who can play C at a high level in the NFL is awesome

 

[ctpatsfan77]

It all depends on Stork's health. but we definitely need to bring him along slowly. If Stork is 100% then maybe Andrews goes to the practice squad?

I don't want to risk losing Andrews, and I can't imagine him clearing waivers at this point.

 

[chasa]

6 man offensive line, Gronk left, Chandler right mintron next to gronk, Brady in the pocket, blount and lewis taking turns in the backfield.

 

[BobDigital]

Why? The OP postulated that both Stork and Andrews were "pure centers."

Stork played some guard in college; I don't think he'd have a hard time at all slotting in at right guard. I didn't say he should displace Kline or Jackson, so if chasing shadows amuses you, go to.

Well I look at Andrews and I think he could be an okay pulling guard but I don't see him able to get much push off the line with his limited size. I think he is better off holding the point in his small area and maybe getting a little push. As for Stork I think he is to big and slow to be a pulling guard and though he might have the power to be a power run blocking type I question if he is strong enough to pull it off well. There is a difference between doing it at guard and center. At center you need to keep in mind a priority is to push but keep the integrity of the pocket. Guards is more about just plain blowing guys off the line if you can. I don't know that he has that quick twitch/power mix that well.

I never said they can't play guard in a pinch but I see them both as players that to me translate better at center than guard. Could be wrong of course but that is my impression. I am strongly against the idea of putting either of them at guard much. By the time Stork is back you would hope Jackson/Mason are demanding more snaps and you would hate to take those away from them as both to me are definitely guard specialist and more in line with that position make up (though from different side of the spectrum).

I stated pure centers more as to indictate that is clearly the spot IMO both are best suited for and to have either play guard when you have Mason/Jackson (and Kline player well too) would translate into a negative at this time .

I think you need to just accept when Stork comes back you sit one and Center is a position you prefer not to rotate.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

6 man offensive line, Gronk left, Chandler right mintron next to gronk, Brady in the pocket, blount and lewis taking turns in the backfield.

"What is the game plan against Indianapolis, Alex?"

 

[shmessy]

There is not even a question here. If he's healthy and in shape, Stork is your center. The Pats have 3 people who can play the position adequately, but have only ONE who can be more than that, and that is Bryan Stork.

Words can't appreciate the job David Andrews done, how important he's been and how far he's come since the start of TC. But the fact remains that Andrews is a short, undersized, nonathletic C who has far exceeded his potential. However in the end he has his limits and they are in the Ryan Windell level. That is not a bad level to dwell, but isn't all we should aspire to. Especially with Stork waiting in the wings a month down the road.

Bottom line: Our OL will clearly not fall apart if David Andrews mans the spot all year, but it will never reach its potential.

Great stuff again.

.......and it wouldn't be an official Patfanken post if it didn't have one of these "....in the Ryan Windell level"

 

[shmessy]

Belichick be like...

Like Dave Wannstedt?????

 

[Tuck]

It all depends on Stork's health. but we definitely need to bring him along slowly. If Stork is 100% then maybe Andrews goes to the practice squad?

Not likely but possible. If Bill thinks Andrews can only play center AND Stork can only play center AND there is no in game value to carrying two pure centers, then yes, he will send Andrews to the practice squad, but that's a lot of AND's.

 

[varjao]

Stork sitting 8 games after a concussion doesn't sound good, and he does have a previous history, I may be a little paranoiac but if he gets back to the field this season I think Defensive Lineman will hit him in the head on purpose.

 

[patsinthesnow]

2013: Kline
2014: Butler
2015: Andrews

Three years in a row with a starting caliber player (Butler/Andrews could become more than that) from the UDFA ranks is impressive.

Interior pass rush is probably the only thing (besides injuries) that could stop this offense, so having two starting caliber centers is a great problem to have.

 

[RobertWeathers]

...but is the best center the Patriots have fielded in many a year.

If you think about it, it's pretty accurate

Stork is better than Wendy, Connolly, Woody and Wohlabaugh

Not sure about Stork being better than Koppen. He was undersized but his technique was elite and very intelligent.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Stork sitting 8 games after a concussion doesn't sound good, and he does have a previous history, I may be a little paranoiac but if he gets back to the field this season I think Defensive Lineman will hit him in the head on purpose.

As I understand it, the main issue with Stork being IR was that after he returned to practice, a chronic neck issue (think whiplash) that he had been having flared up again only it was fairly severe this time. With that, plus the concussion the team decided to err on the side of caution and make the effort to get him totally healthy.

What I don't know is if the # of concussions he has experienced played into the thought process. One would assume yes I suppose.

 

[Todd Bradley]

Are you guys serious?

Zero chance Belichick demotes Andrews to the PS.

There are soo many Center needy teams, he'd be scooped up in a nanosecond. You think the Seahawks wouldn't kill to have Andrews anchoring their line right now?

Even if Stork is back to 100%, Andrews isnt going anywhere, especially when no one knows what's up with Wendell.

 

[shmessy]

Not likely but possible. If Bill thinks Andrews can only play center AND Stork can only play center AND there is no in game value to carrying two pure centers, then yes, he will send Andrews to the practice squad, but that's a lot of AND's.

There is NO WAY Andrews makes it to the practice squad without another team picking him up.

He would have to clear waivers of all 31 other teams to make it to our practice squad.

 

[Tuck]

There is NO WAY Andrews makes it to the practice squad without another team picking him up.

He would have to clear waivers of all 31 other teams to make it to our practice squad.

Good point.

 

[patchick]

If you think about it, it's pretty accurate

Stork is better than Wendy, Connolly, Woody and Wohlabaugh

Not sure about Stork being better than Koppen. He was undersized but his technique was elite and very intelligent.

Yep, IMO you have to go back to Koppen's peak years for competition. If Stork can stay healthy, and admittedly that's a big if, I think he can be better.

But Andrews is sticking on the roster too, no doubt about it.