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After a slew of opt-outs, and a slew of free agent departures, the Patriots are entering 2020 searching for a new identity. Losing Tom Brady was going to be a challenge in itself, but losing key contributors on defense like Dont’a Hightower and Pat Chung on such short notice really hurts this Patriots team. With the season opener slowly approaching Bill Belichick will need to figure out how to minimize all of these losses on both sides of the ball. The Next Man Up mentality needs to be as evident as ever.

Even with the Patriots going through a plethora of changes, many in the betting industry still have faith in Bill Belichick. It is still a few weeks until the season starts but it’s not too early to start looking at some of the Week 1 NFL odds out there. First game of the season is going to be an easy one of the Patriots as they’re listed as 7-point favorites against Miami.

A lot can change between now and then, but a successful season for the Patriots will likely come down to a variety of factors. In particular, the leadership void in the Patriots’ locker room certainly is a question mark. But, with everyone talking about how the Patriots will cope with their personnel losses, they are getting a key player on their offensive line.

David Andrews missed the entire 2019 season due to blood clots in his lungs. Last August was a scary time for the 28-year-old Andrews, but he has made his way all the way to the field. Returning from blood clots in the lungs is already a mountain of a challenge. But, returning during a pandemic would seem virtually impossible. David Andrews isn’t just going to attempt a comeback in 2020, he’s chomping at the bit to get back there. After meeting with the media last week on zoom, there is little to no doubt that David Andrews will be ready to go, week 1:

“It’s just something I feel comfortable with, to have the opportunity to go out and play. Talking with doctors and my wife, it’s something we feel comfortable with. I’m just excited to get the chance to go out there and compete again. I’m excited for the opportunity coming up.”

Andrews has been a captain for three consecutive seasons, and really has brought stability to the Patriots’ offensive line. When he was absent for the entire 2019 season, it was obvious how uncomfortable and how out-of-sync the offensive line was.

According to Pro Football Focus, between 2017 and 2018, Andrews had a pass-blocking grade of 84.2. This was the fourth highest among qualifying centers. On top of that, Andrews has also been productive in run-blocking. He was graded out as the sixth highest center for run-blocking with a 79.2. When Andrews is healthy, he’s the best offensive lineman for New England, and it really isn’t close.

Patriots running back Rex Burkhead couldn’t stop raving about Andrews when he was asked about him during yesterday’s zoom session:

“David, he’s an unbelievable player, not only just a player but a captain for this team, a leader for this team, and just what else he brings. He’s a master communicator up front to get everyone in the right position, moving on the same page. And he does it every single day with consistency. He’s a great guy to follow for those young guys in that room to really go to if they have any questions.”

It’s tough to deny how important and how valuable Andrews is to the Patriots. With the Patriots entering the post-Brady era, leadership will be a priority. Andrews will provide that and more for whoever is under center.

The chatter and buzz around David Andrews might not seem like a difference-maker, but it’s almost a guarantee that the interior part of the Patriots’ offensive line improves in 2020.