Patriots offensive lineman Sidy Sow was not as bad as he appeared to be. In fact, he was way ahead of any rookie guard in the league and in some evaluations was in the top grade amongst all guards in the league.
His was a baptism of fire. During the Pre-season he was asked to play Right Tackle, a position he hadn’t played since his freshman year in college. He got beat on a regular basis and made it miserable for whoever was playing Quarterback.
For the season, once he was moved back to RG, his natural position, he excelled. Sow finished with a PFF Rating of 64.4, 28th among all guards. Cole Strange finished just ahead of him at 27th. That meant both were in the top half of guards. I expect both to improve entering their 2nd and 3rd year respectively.
This from PFF, “Sow, a fourth rounder from Eastern Michigan, gave New England a lot of solid reps, especially in the run game. His 71.2 PFF run-blocking grade led all rookie linemen by a wide margin.
Where Sow excelled was in gap schemes. His 80.8 PFF gap scheme run-blocking grade ranked third-best among all qualified guards. He needs work in pass protection, but finding a player like Sow in the fourth round was a nice addition to the Patriots’ roster.”
When the opposing defense did twists and other type of stunts against Sow, he had trouble switching an picking up the twisting d-lineman. This problem was coaching, and Line Coach Adrian Klemm left halfway through the season. Klemm supposedly had an illness but it looks like he had a major disagreement with Bill Belichick not acquiring NFL level talent on the line. Assistant Line coach Billy Yates did an admirable job filling in for Klemm. This was the second year Yates was thrust into the role as O line coach, with just a couple of years coaching experience.
The scouts and coaching staff that were responsible for drafting Sow should be given some kudos for making this selection. Normally a rookie 4th round pick is not thrown in with lions, to be devoured right away. They are given time to develop and experience the speed of the game. Not Sow, he was a starter from Day one and did an admirable job. His play should give Pats fans some optimism toward next season. The priority by the Front Office is to sign Michael Owenu at Right Tackle long term, and then select a Left Tackle with the #3 1st round pick. That will give the Patriots a formidable front five and allow for the development of a young QB by establishing a strong run game.
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Merrimack Valley native and lifelong fan of the New England Patriots. My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob “Harpo” Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. Analyzing the draft since ESPN first started to televise it in 1980 and former writer for the Lowell Sun Newspaper.
