{"id":70249,"date":"2021-07-12T19:27:37","date_gmt":"2021-07-13T00:27:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=70249"},"modified":"2021-08-26T11:06:15","modified_gmt":"2021-08-26T11:06:15","slug":"lazars-most-important-patriots-in-2021-no-7-david-andrews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=70249","title":{"rendered":"Lazar’s Most Important Patriots in 2021: No. 7, David Andrews"},"content":{"rendered":"

CLNS Media Patriots Beat reporter Evan Lazar’s annual list takes you through the ten most important Pats for the 2021 season.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Patriots offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo startled his wife with a late-night fist pump after receiving a text from his boss, Bill Belichick, in the height of NFL free agency.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The text from Belichick was to inform Bricillo and co-offensive line coach Cole Popovich that the team had re-signed starting center David Andrews, an unrestricted free agent, \u201chaving him back on the team and on the offensive line, I think that\u2019s huge,\u201d Bricillo said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat he does on the field is critical. But the things he does off the field in our building, working with our young guys, helping everybody, coaches included, and then in the community. So, all of that is critical.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[arve url=”https:\/\/www.dailymotion.com\/video\/x82o5ra” loop=”no” muted=”no” \/]<\/p>\n

Andrews is undeniably the leader of New England\u2019s offensive line and is as valuable as ever due to his six years in the system now that the team is transitioning to a young quarterback.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Pats\u2019 center\u2019s comfortability with setting MIKE points and protections makes life easier for quarterbacks. His toughness and grit set the tone, and even in a bit of a down year, the two-time Super Bowl champ still graded out in the top half of the league at the position.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Along with what he brings to the table from a mental and leadership standpoint, Andrews is also a very athletic center who can reach and turn out defensive linemen.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Here, Andrews reaches the shaded nose tackle aligned over his outside shoulder to the play side. Despite being out-leveraged at the snap, Andrews turns Ravens nose tackle Justin Ellis out of the hole, allowing the left side of the line to block down on the outside zone toss.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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In honor of David Andrews's birthday here are some of his best blocks from last season. #Patriots<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/apaQPpAWty<\/a><\/p>\n

— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) July 10, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n