Perry: Prototypical Patriots for the interior offensive line originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
So what if it’s not the sexiest position in football? It ranks right up there on the Patriots’ list of needs headed into the 2022 season. You know where we’re going here.
Yup. Guard.
With Shaq Mason traded to Tampa Bay and Ted Karras signing a new contract in Cincinnati, the Patriots could use another starting-caliber player to align alongside David Andrews. Mike Onwenu looks slated to take one starting guard spot. But there’s a vacancy at the other.
What are the Patriots looking for when they go digging for centers and guards, then? Take a peek at some of the best they’ve selected — Mason, Joe Thuney, Logan Mankins — and there are some trends. As is the case at tackle, they want athletes. If you can run a quick three-cone drill in the 7.5-second range, if you’ve got a 40-yard dash time in the 5.15-second range and a shuttle time in the 4.5-second neighborhood, you’ve got a shot.
But,…