David Andrews is one of the most important players in the New England Patriots.
The veteran center is not only a very good player, he is a tremendous leader on and off the field as captain three times. His presence on the field was missed last season. Andrews was unable to play in 2019 after being hospitalized due to blood clots in August.
He has received medical clearance to return for the 2020 season, which is a huge boost to the team’s offensive line. His leadership will also be needed now more than ever after the departure of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Andrews has developed a strong relationship with Brady since joining the Patriots as an undrafted free agent prior to the 2015 season.
The 27-year-old knows that it is difficult to lose teammates, especially one as important as Brady, but he is fully aware that roster rotation is something that everyone in the NFL has to deal with.
“I learned a lot from him,” Andrews said recently in a recent episode of the Athletes Over Adversity podcast. “Paying attention to detail, that all things matter, little things matter.”
“Unfortunately, that’s just part of this business, right? You’re going to lose teammates every year because of exchanges, because of cutbacks. I learned it from the beginning: my wife and I were very close with this couple. We went together and actually We were roommates during the summer and off-season program. He ends up being traded in the middle of our second year. You learn early, that’s just part of this business, and it is what it is. You hate losing a teammate without matter who it is. “
The Patriots, over Bill Belichick’s 20 years as head coach, have done a better job than almost any other team when it comes to advancing since the star players leave. The “next man up” mentality has been a cornerstone of the Patriots’ success in their two decades of excellence.
The next man to be a quarterback is likely to be fourth-round pick of the 2019 Jarrett Stidham draft. The former Auburn star has shown signs of promise, but he’s still a stranger with just four pass attempts on his stat sheet.
Continuing to develop strong chemistry with Andrews will be a major factor in Stidham’s ability to have a good 2020 season and will help the Patriots extend their streak of playoff appearances to 12 years.
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