It’s been a busy week for New England Patriots rookie offensive tackle Caleb Lomu, who saw his workload increase after veteran Morgan Moses sat out the club’s mandatory minicamp sessions.
Head coach Mike Vrabel downplayed any issues for Moses, simply saying that the goal was to limit his reps here in the spring and save them for when they counted later in the season. For Lomu, that meant extra time to get some work in at right tackle, which is a change he’s still getting used to.
Lomu admitted his first few practices at right tackle felt “a little weird” after playing left tackle throughout college. The initial switch to the right side of the offensive line felt a little unfamiliar, with Lomu describing the first practice as feeling a bit awkward. However, he emphasized that as he’s gotten more reps, things are starting to get a little easier.
“The first practice was a little, a little weird at first just because I wasn’t very used to it,” said Lomu. “But I feel very comfortable at tackle right now, so it just feels natural now.”
Like most players who move to a different side of their position, it definitely takes some getting used to. Lomu highlighted the fundamental changes required when moving from left to right tackle, specifically noting the opposite hand usage for striking and completely different footwork. He stressed that consistent practice, both before and after practice, is where his improvement will continue to come from.
“Just reps. It’s just being able to get in there,” said Lomu. “I mean, it just switches, at left tackle, you’re striking with your left hand, at right tackle, it’s opposite, you’re striking with your right. Footwork’s just completely opposite too.”
Lomu credited veteran Morgan Moses as a significant help in his transition, particularly with understanding the playbook and navigating being a rookie in a new system. Moses was spotted on Thursday in street clothes coaching up Lomu in-between drills alongside Vrabel, and it’s clear they have a great relationship.
The young tackle also got some work at left guard on Thursday, with the club still trying to build depth at that position after Jared Wilson moved back to his natural position at center. Alijah Vera-Tucker was signed this offseason with the hope that he can lock down the position, but having Lomu get some reps, given Vera-Tucker’s injury history, certainly makes sense.
For Lomu, none of this has been much of a surprise. He admitted Thursday that he came into the league with the understanding that playing multiple positions was going to be necessary. As a result, he knew coming in what to expect, and he’s been embracing being a versatile asset to his new football team throughout the process.
“Yeah, for sure. One of the biggest pieces of advice that I learned, coming in as a rookie, is you’re probably not gonna play the same position you played in college,” said Lomu. “So I came in with the mindset of wherever they need me, wherever they put me, I’m going to work at that position and do what they ask of me.”
After signing his contract, Lomu was asked if he had made any big purchases. Lomu admitted he’s not a big spender, but he did treat himself to a new set of golf clubs, which he said was the first significant purchase with his rookie paycheck.
“It’s a good question. I’m not really a guy who spends too much money,” said Lomu. “One of the first things I got was just a new golf set. I’m big into golf. Love playing some golf. So I had to get some longer ones. Kind of outgrew my old set. So that was really the big purchase that I’ve made.”
After adding Will Campbell last offseason, the addition of Lomu definitely adds youth and talent at the tackle position, which, with a young quarterback, is absolutely critical. The hope after he was selected was that Lomu would have time to develop behind Moses, and it certainly sounds like that relationship has paid dividends here after a busy spring. Lomu admitted that he’s watched film of both of his teammates, which he said has painted a solid picture of what he’ll need to work on in the coming months.
“I’ve watched a lot of Will [Campbell] and Morgan film, and so being able to watch them and watch the teachings that are coached here and see what they do, how it works in the game, that’s been awesome to watch,” said Lomu. “So those two have been the biggest people that I’ve watched so far. I’m just trying to see what they do, see what works, see what doesn’t work, because they both are very good players.”
“Will, just being a rookie last year until now, you can tell he’s already very comfortable in his spot, and a lot of confidence that he has. And then Moses, just being in the league for a long time. So being able to watch them and practice and work with them every day has been a huge help.”
For now, Lomu and the rest of his teammates will spend the next month getting ready for Training Camp, where the work will continue.
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Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.
