Patriots legendary offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia was a guest on the “Eye on Foxborough” podcast.
First and foremost, while there are some Patriots fans out there that would love to see Scar come out of retirement a third time, it’s not happening.
Scarnecchia, however, provided so many pearls of wisdom, it was important to provide several of his takes.
So here’s the best of Scar from the podcast:
On having a lack of talent: “You don’t have to have the most talented players, but they certainly have to have enough talent to play in the league.
And if they are less talented, they have to do things exactly the right way, and if they do, they have a chance to hold up and play pretty well.
On putting together the right five on the offensive line: “I’ve always believed this – you have to be smart, you have to be tough, and you have to be athletic enough to play the positions we want you to play. If you play left tackle, you better have left tackle skills. If your quarterback is a right hander, he’s got to be able to protect the blindside of the quarterback. And that’s the difference between a right tackle and a left tackle. It takes a little more skillful guy to play the left side.
“So getting those guys in the right places is hugely important. Then on the inside, your center has to be a leader. The guards they have to be tough, physical, and be able to anchor the middle of a pocket in pass protection. The tackles have to be athletic enough to defend the edge, and not give rushers a free pass around the outside. Or inside. Never on the inside. If you can get those guys to play those positions, and understand how those positions are played, I think that’s the key to it all.”
On moving Mike Onwenu to tackle: “Given the set of circumstances that they currently have, not being exactly sure at left tackle, if you can eliminate one side, if we have to move Mike Onwenu out to right tackle, we think he’s going to be fine out there, he’s proven he can be fine out there, now let’s do whatever we have to do to help the left side. Minimize the help side. If you have two sides that need help, circle the wagons. It’s going to be tough.”
On not starting Drake Maye: “I know everyone has raved a lot about Maye the last two games he played, and the skills he’s shown and all the rest of that. I think that’s a decision they made based on what was best for the football team, and maybe, Drake Maye’s health, and jeopardizing that health might come into play.
“I think you also get into that deal … with (former Jets first-round pick) Zach Wilson. That was so hard for him his first two years … you get out there and have all of these skills, but then confidence, and not wanting to fail, all of those things come into it, too. It’s a fine line you gotta dance with that. They’ve made their decision. Whether that (offensive line) was a consideration or they honestly believe Jacoby’s the guy. Whatever they’re saying they believe, I guess.”
On Jacoby Brissett: “I love the kid. he’s a really nice guy. I wish nothing but the best for him. I hope he’s able to manage the team, and be the guy that goes out there and doesn’t make any mistakes, and makes enough big plays in the passing game to keep the chains moving and hopefully get some points.”
On the importance of David Andrews: “Continuity is hugely important and they have one key factor in there with David Andrews. He’s going to make the right line calls that are going to be appropriate for what they’re getting. He will take care of that part of it. So relative to the inside three, those guys are in good hands.”
On success formula: “You gotta hope that … and I’ve seen this in the games I’ve watched in the preseason, I think they run the ball pretty good. The gap runs, the zone runs. They look like they’re doing pretty good with that stuff. So you hope that enough of that materializes in these games going forward so they can control the ball offensively by running it, be selective in the passing game, and not get into those extremely tough down and distance situations. A lot of that is, they can’t have the penalties they’ve had in the preseason.”
