“I’m happy to be back here, so that’s all that matters,” said Onwenu. “I think it was always trending in the direction that I would be back. We always kept the communication line open and were talking about everything. So it was a good time.”
Also Read: New England Patriots Retain Mike Onwenu
As for where the versatile offensive lineman will play in 2024, Mike Onwenu plans to begin this season in the same spot he finished playing in 2023.
“Throughout the whole process, we spoke about me playing tackle. Even after I signed, that was still the same thing. So, under my notion, I’m playing right tackle,” Onwenu told reporters.
Offensive Line Outlook for 2024
Mike Onwenu at right tackle and David Andrews at center give New England two players who appear locks to start along the offensive line. Left guard Cole Strange, who ended 2023 on injured reserve, remains a question mark due to health. Sidy Sow played well at right guard as a rookie last season but could shift to the left side if Strange remains out. The starter at left tackle will be a competition in training camp. Chukwuma Okorafor, Caeden Wallace, Calvin Anderson, and Vederian Lowe are among the players expected to compete to start opposite Onwenu.
Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and offensive line coach Scott Peters will determine which players fit their scheme best.
“It is a lot of wide zone and more emphasis on actually stretching the ball and having the ball on the outside,” Onwenu said of the new scheme. “Last year, everything was more cutback. It’ll be interesting to see how that plays. It’ll probably allow us to finish our blocks and stay on our blocks without worrying about the guy falling off, or worrying about where the run is going to go.”
Regardless of scheme or others starting alongside him, Onwenu is excited about the upcoming season.
“We have an opportunity to build and start new. I think that’s really what’s important. We all see that opportunity, and we want to take that opportunity,” he explained. “This is year five for me, so I do feel the need to be more and do more as a leader. Primarily, lead by example. I just want to intensify that.”
Also in today’s Patriots Football Daily:
Patriots Football Now
Best and worst case scenarios for the Patriots 2024 draft class
Meet the newest New England Patriot: Joey Slye
NFL free agents still on the market for New England
NFL News
CBS Sports – Dolphins signing Odell Beckham Jr. to one-year deal
ESPN – Aaron Rodgers to have no restrictions with OTAs start
NBC Sports – Biggest questions remaining after 2024 NFL Draft (video)
NFL.com – Brooks: 5 favorite draft hauls, and one head-scratcher
Yahoo! Sports – Michael Irvin is out at NFL Network
Yardbarker – NFL insider defends Kenny Pickett from ‘bust’ label
Boston Bruins
Go to our sibling site Boston Hockey Now to check out the great Boston Bruins coverage from Jimmy Murphy and the BHN team. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are underway and plenty is happening in the Bruins 100 Anniversary season.
Boston Hockey Now – Murphy: Bruins must bring the noise in front of Woll
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Football Fun Fact of the Day
James Harrison recorded 82.5 career sacks before joining the New England Patriots in 2017. It is the most sacks for a player in NFL history before joining the Patriots.
Post of the Day
Today’s post features the two sacks James Harrison recorded in his only regular season game with the New England Patriots:
