New Patriots offensive line coach Adrian Klemm meet with the media for the first time on Tuesday. Klemm was hired as the Patriots offensive line coach in January, replacing Matt Patricia who along with assistant offensive line coach Billy Yates coached the group last season.
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The offensive line struggled last season and in many people’s eyes were the root cause of the team’s struggles offensively. In reality, it was the tackle position that was the problem.
Injuries and inconsistency plagued the two tackles. Trent Brown led the league in penalties for a left tackle and struggled to match up against some of the top pass rushers in the league. Right tackle was a revolving door. Yodny Cajuste, Marcus Cannon and Conor McDermott all played right tackle last season. The lack of a consistent starter at the position was a problem.
Despite the struggles of this group last season, Klemm does not feel that it was all bad after watching the tape.
“There is a foundation here. Not everything was bad. There are some good things to build on here.”
Most people would say that Klemm is being kind but he is not wrong. Right guard Michael Onwenu had a pro bowl caliber season and while he struggled at times, rookie left guard Cole Strange showed a lot of potential as well. Klemm is looking to tap into Strange’s potential.
“He’s a guy that gives tremendous effort, super athletic. It’s important to him. I am excited to work with him.”
As far as the rest of the unit, playing fundamentally sound and being physical will be two of the early points of emphasis for Klemm as he begins working with this group.
“Fundamentals, not just that but the culture, a certain level of physicality. I think they all go hand and hand but you need a certain level of fundamentals, especially with the way we do things or the way Coach Belichick does things here, that’s the foundation of it all. You play within the system and give your all each and everyday.”
Coming back to the Patriots as a coach is a full circle moment for Klemm. He was Bill Belichick’s first draft choice in 2000. Now he is charged with fixing the offensive line and helping the offense get back on track.
“As I’ve said before, it is a very humbling experience. It was a no brainer for me. (playing for the Patriots) changed my life tremendously in terms of my career and the things I was able to do for my family.” Klemm added: “It’s an opportunity for me to give back in some way to a place that has been very impactful for me.”
Klemm certainly has the right temperament and if he is half the teacher his mentor Dante Scarnecchia was, the Patriots offensive line is in good hands.