New England Patriots: Why Marcus Cannon is a massive loss
The New England Patriots loss of Marcus Cannon creates a massive hole that needs to be patched if the offensive line is to be sound.
The loss of steady and talented veteran offensive tackle Marcus Cannon who opted out of the 2020 season due to coronavirus is a major one for the New England Patriots.
The line, after serious health and injury issues in 2019, looked ready to be fit and ready for the upcoming season before the coronavirus impacted the world and ultimately the team. Now with Cannon’s absence, the Patriots once again face a difficult task to replace this sturdy presence on the right side.
Yodny Cajuste now has a golden opportunity to step into this position in 2020 and make it his own. Cajuste never saw a snap last season due to quad surgery yet he had extensive experience at left tackle at West Virginia. The transition to the right should not be a problem for him but his health remains a concern until proven otherwise.
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Other candidates are scarce. Korey Cunningham who came over to New England from Arizona in a trade last season had opportunities to step into the lineup last year when injury struck left tackle Isaiah Wynn. He couldn’t beat journeyman Marshall Newhouse for that job then.
He was a major disappointment. Perhaps nearly a year in the system will help him make up lost ground. Don’t count on it.
Another possible Marcus Cannon replacement
Another possibility for the New England Patriots is rookie sixth-round pick, Justin Herron from Wake Forrest. Herron was a four-year starter from Wake Forrest and is a bit undersized at 6’5” tall weighing in at 305 pounds.
It would be a major surprise to see Herron step right in and take this position but it can’t be ruled out. One only need remember David Andrews stepping into the team as an undrafted free agent from Georgia and becoming an almost immediate starter at center. It can happen.
That’s essentially the depth situation at right tackle and it’s not promising. Yet, there is one possible solution that lurks in the background that was the subject of recent speculation by Henry McKenna.
He cites Joe Thuney, New England Patriots All-Pro left guard, as being ready to step in and help the team wherever he can. In addition, Mike Reiss called Thuney “a 5-position offensive lineman.”
Thuney is playing on a franchise tag for New England this season to the salary tune of $14.781 million. That’s essentially offensive tackle money.
There is no doubt that Thuney would be the Patriots top right tackle if inserted there in camp. No doubt whatsoever.
In fact, he would have been the New England Patriots best option to play left tackle when Wynn was injured at the beginning of the season. Frankly, he should have been the choice.
Of course, there is the adage that you don’t want to weaken two positions, etc. by moving a top player from one position to plug another hole. Unfortunately, that argument should be thrown out the window with the dishwater when it comes to fielding the best left tackle possible to protect the blind side of Tom Brady.
Thuney was that man. He wasn’t used there. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that he could and will fill in admirably either there if needed or now at right tackle if called upon.
One scenario lurks that could make that a distinct possibility. The Patriots most underrated draft pick was sixth-round pick Michael Onwenu a guard from Michigan.
Should Onwenu live up to his potential and show that he’s the real deal, then Thuney could easily be moved to right tackle. He’d be a star there while Onwenu, a massive force at guard could step in at left guard and start. It’s a possibility to keep a lookout for.
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This issue along with all the others will be in sharp focus for the Patriots in this camp, one that is different from all the preceding 20 years. This year they are without the dominating presence of Brady.
One thing is certain, however, the offensive line remains the heart of the team, second only to the quarterback in importance. Patching up the sizable hole created by the opting out of Marcus Cannon is a top priority for the New England Patriots offense and for its leader, their new MVP quarterback, Cam Newton.
They need to get it right.