Tag: Calvin Anderson

Could Trent Brown be out in New England?

Could Trent Brown be a surprise cut for the Patriots?

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With the New England Patriots still looking into options to fill their tackle depth with the tryout of former first-round draft pick D.J. Fluker, there are questions as to what it might mean for Trent Brown.

I wrote in a previous article this spring that Trent Brown could be a cap casualty, and if Fluker signs with New England, it could be more realistic. Fluker will likely be depth, as the Patriots would have Riley Reiff and Calvin Anderson to fill the two starting tackle slots, but his signing could be noteworthy.

At times last season, Brown looked like he checked out and was part of the offensive line issues overall. Better play could have potentially saved the season, but there was likely issues with the former offensive line coach and offensive coordinator, Matt Patricia. It also wouldn’t be the first time that Patricia rubbed veteran players the wrong way.

Just ask Darius Slay.

Fluker could be a veteran addition for a team still looking for answers at their two starting tackle slots. Brown being cut could save the team around $8 million, which when paired with a potential cut of DeVante Parker ($ 6.2 million saved) in a DeAndre Hopkins scenario would ideally allow the Patriots to keep their operating costs for the 2023 season, while giving Hopkins whatever he asks.

If Brown is truly checked out, which is likely with his absence at OTAs, then Bill Belichick, who has let players go for less, would cut ties and start anew. Now that Adrian Klemm is the offensive line coach in New England, there is optimism they could patch together a tackle group with Anderson, Reiff, Conor McDermott, Fluker, Andrew Stueber, or even Sidy Sow.

Belichick and crew are likely trying to change perspectives on the operation from 2022 and could cut ties with an unhappy camper who has skipped OTAs and performed poorly in 2022 to save the team cap.

If the team feels the drop-off between Brown to Reiff/Anderson isn’t major, then they could move on. It wouldn’t be the first time they’ve moved on from Brown. They did so back in 2019, when he signed a massive deal with the Oakland Raiders.

If they did it before, they could certainly do it again.

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3 unexpected Patriots players who could make a big impact in 2023

Here are three Patriots players you should be keeping an eye on in 2023.

There is still hope that the New England Patriots will add to their wide receiver core by signing former All-Pro wideout DeAndre Hopkins, as they have been long linked to him since rumors first began on his availability.

Whether that’s a mere dream or reality is up for debate. But one thing we do know is there are some under-the-radar players currently on the roster that could end up making a big impact in 2023.

These players aren’t being talked about enough, and that could all change at some point this season. A breakout showing from any of the players on this list would do wonders for the Patriots and their playoff chances.

ESPN analyst points out one big weakness for Patriots heading into 2023

Will this position be the weak link for the Patriots in 2023?

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The New England Patriots were ranked in the middle of the pack in ESPN’s Bill Barnwell’s latest team offseason rankings, landing at No. 16 on the list.

New England has had a busy offseason, as they added pieces on both sides of the football. They also changed out some names on their coaching staff as well in hopes of bouncing back from an 8-9 regular season record in 2022. On top of that, the divisional talent around them got even better.

Barnwell cited the Patriots’ coaching moves, as well as the departure of coaches Matt Patricia and Joe Judge within the offense. The additions of tight end Mike Gesicki and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster were also a big selling point for Barnwell.

The Patriots offense should look different, as offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien will now be taking charge. With that said, quarterback Mac Jones needs to have a bounce-back year, and O’Brien could help with that.

As far as weaknesses are concerned, Barnwell pointed out one particular positional group that may be cause for concern this year:

Offensive tackle is going to be a problem. Can the Patriots make it through the entire season with Trent Brown and Riley Reiff? The two combined to play 32 games last season, but Brown had missed 24 contests over the prior three seasons with injuries, while Reiff hadn’t played a full season since 2015 and was mostly a special-teamer for the first six weeks of 2022 with the Bears.

Of course, we won’t know anything until the games are played. Even still, the offensive line group will be one worth watching. A struggling offensive line could make everything else struggle as well.

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Another Patriots player sings praises of OL coach Adrian Klemm

The praise keeps on coming for Patriots offensive line coach Adrian Klemm.

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New England Patriots offensive line coach Adrian Klemm has been getting praise over the past couple days, as Patriots players get their first look at the revamped coaching staff.

Earlier in the week, Patriots newcomer Riley Reiff talked up Klemm’s coaching. On Thursday, veteran offensive tackle Calvin Anderson was yet another player impressed by what Klemm has brought to the table so far.

Anderson signed a two-year contract with the Patriots on March 16, as part of New England’s continued offseason revamp. He comes to the Patriots after spending three seasons with the Denver Broncos.

Klemm came to New England in January with the team looking to improve their offensive line play, following a dismal 2022 season. Anderson talked up Klemm’s coaching style when speaking to media members.

“I love AK so far,” said Anderson. “You can tell he played. You can tell he understands the positions we’re put in on the field. I always have an appreciation for guys who understand, first-hand, what it’s like to be playing.”

The real test will be when we see the product on the field beginning in Week 1 against the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles. However, for now, the positive praise towards Klemm is worth noting.

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6 revenge games on Broncos’ 2023 schedule

The Broncos’ 2023 schedule will feature several revenge opportunities for some of the team’s former players.

The Denver Broncos now know their 2023 schedule and it will feature six revenge games with former Broncos facing off against their old team. Here’s a quick look at six games with ex-Denver players on the 2023 schedule.

Patriots OT Calvin Anderson challenges Paul George’s NBA-NFL comparison

Calvin Anderson wasn’t taking NBA superstar Paul George’s NBA and NFL comparison on the chin.

New England Patriots offensive tackle Calvin Anderson seemingly disagrees with NBA superstar Paul George’s notion that NBA players could transition easier to the NFL than vice versa.

During an episode of Podcast P with Paul George, the eight-time NBA All-Star claimed he didn’t think football players could cross over into the NBA. Granted, he didn’t completely ignore the possibility and even name-dropped previous stars that have competed in both, such as Julius Peppers and Tony Gonzalez.

But for the most part, he sees the transition as a daunting task for most football players. However, on the other end of the spectrum, he believes NBA players could make the transition to the NFL.

“I don’t think a football player could cross over into the NBA. Our game is completely skill,” said George. “For me, I think that for an NFL guy to be able to play in the league, they got to be hell of shooters, right? Because otherwise, we’re not going to guard you. You can’t shoot. That athleticism, that strength—that means nothing if you can’t shoot the ball in our league.

“…I think we have a better chance [of playing in the NFL]. Imagine if [LeBron James] was in the NFL. Who the [expletive] is stopping Bron? Imagine [Russell Westbrook]. Russ is 6’3, 6’4—built, fast as [expletive]. Russ could play safety. I think guys in the NBA could make that transition.”

Anderson obviously wasn’t taking those words on the chin, and he had a solid response to George’s opinion on the matter.

“Flopping leads to sacks or touchdowns in this league, not free throws,” Anderson posted on social media.

George has some great points on the skilled aspects of the NBA, but there are also skilled aspects in the NFL as well. There’s also the physicality of the game that very few human beings are built to withstand, regardless of size.

At the end of the day, it’s a fun back-and-forth debate between two athletes competing against the best in the world in their particular sports. It’s barbershop talk—nothing more, nothing less.

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5 takeaways from Patriots’ first week of free agency

Five thoughts on the Patriots’ splash in the first week of free agency.

Well, folks, the first week of free agency is in the books, and thankfully, the New England Patriots didn’t fall asleep at the wheel.

They had a ton of cap space to play with this time around, and given the way the 2022 season ended, there was extra fire and motivation to get things right.

The team managed to keep their defense mostly intact, while also giving their offense a significant facelift. Most would consider that an immediate success right out of the gates.

Granted, the Patriots still have space to make more moves as we enter the second week of the new league year. The sprinting portion of free agency might be over, but the marathon is still ongoing to make the roster the best it can be heading into the 2023 season.

Here are five takeaways from what the Patriots have done so far.

Calvin Anderson posts goodbye message to Broncos after leaving in free agency

Calvin Anderson: “I’m forever grateful to George Paton, Mike Munchak, and so many others. I will always be proud of my time as a Bronco.”

Former Denver Broncos offensive lineman Calvin Anderson tweeted out a heartfelt goodbye to Broncos Country after he signed with the New England Patriots on Tuesday.

In the tweet, he thanked the fans, Denver general manager George Paton and former offensive line coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Munchak.

Anderson began his career with the Broncos in 2020, dressing for a career-high 16 games that season. Over the last three years, Anderson earned 12 starts. Last year, Anderson started seven games when Denver’s offensive line was plagued by injuries.

Anderson was first signed by the Patriots after the 2019 NFL draft out of the University of Texas. Anderson was later waived by New England, before signing with the New York Jets. The Jets then became the second team to waive him before Denver signed Anderson in October 2019.

Anderson now returns to the Patriots on a two-year deal, and will be thrust into Bill Belichick’s offense to compete for playing time at offensive tackle.

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Report: Patriots agree to terms with former Broncos OT Calvin Anderson

The Patriots agreed to terms with offensive tackle Calvin Anderson on Tuesday afternoon.

The New England Patriots made their first external signing of free agency on Tuesday, agreeing to a two-year deal with offensive tackle Calvin Anderson, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

Anderson played for the Broncos last season and appeared in 10 games. The 27-year-old made seven starts at left tackle. He has spent the last four seasons with Denver and worked his way through the ranks. He was on the practice squad in 2019 at left tackle. He does have history with the Patriots, as he entered the league in 2019 as an undrafted free agent with the team.

This is a depth move for New England, who currently have only three tackles under contract for next season. It gives the organization flexibility on the left side.

This is not a flashy move by any means, but it does boost the team’s depth at a needed position. Here’s hoping that more dominoes fall as free agency is in full swing.

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Calvin Anderson leaving Broncos to sign with Patriots

After four seasons with the Broncos, swing tackle Calvin Anderson is leaving Denver to sign a two-year deal with the Patriots.

After making two big offensive line signings on the first day of NFL free agency, the Denver Broncos now seem poised to allow several of their in-house offensive linemen to walk in free agency.

The first domino to fall is swing tackle Calvin Anderson, who was agreed to terms on a two-year deal with the New England Patriots, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

Anderson will now return to where his NFL began — the Patriots signed him as a college free agent out of Texas in 2019. After a very brief stint in New England that summer, Anderson began the regular season on the New York Jets’ practice squad.

The Broncos signed Anderson off New York’s practice squad mid-way through his rookie year and he remained in Denver for the next three seasons. Anderson was a backup swing tackle for the Broncos, earning 12 starts over the last three years as an injury fill-in.

Denver also has four more free agent offensive linemen — Billy Turner, Cam Fleming, Dalton Risner and Tom Compton — who also seem unlikely to return in 2023.

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