FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots’ offensive line took a major step back in Sunday’s 16-9 win over the Oakland Raiders, a performance that none of the players were thrilled about. The lone bright spot was rookie center Bryan Stork, who entered for the second straight week late in the game.
Stork, who stands 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, was selected by the Patriots in the fourth round (105th overall) out of Florida State. Stork, a team captain for the Seminoles, won a national championship, anchoring Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston’s offensive line. Stork also won the Rimington Award, given to college football’s top center and was a consensus All-American in his senior season.
Captain Dan Connolly likes the hard work that Stork has put in to reach this point in his young career.
“I think he has done a good job,” Connolly said. “He works hard and like last week, today he was called upon and did well. He was ready to go.”
Stork carries a no-nonsense, ready at a moment’s notice mentality. And that moment could come sooner rather than later.
For the second straight week, Stork entered the game in the fourth quarter (he had 12 snaps against Minnesota). But Sunday’s substitution against the Raiders was a little different.
Stork took over at center, with Connolly shifting to right guard to replace Jordan Devey, in a close game where the Patriots felt a switch was necessary.
“We just felt like we kind of needed to do it at that point,” coach Bill Belichick said of the move.
Devey let up a sack and had a holding penalty called on him on consecutive plays in the third quarter.
“When I’m in, I’m in. When I’m not, I’m not,” Devey said about being replaced. “Each of us has a role and if I am in, I know what my role is. If I’m out, I know what my role is. I was ready to go back in whenever they needed me.”
By the fourth quarter, it was Stork’s opportunity to help his team. Stork went on to play 15 snaps (including penalties, not including kneel-downs).
Left tackle Nate Solder praised Stork’s ability to jump into the game and have an impact.
“He’s awesome. He moved right in there, no problem making the calls and getting the ball snapped,” Solder said. “From my perspective, everything went smoothly.”
Stork missed a significant portion of training camp, which is difficult on a rookie, but he has made up the time. Before his injury during camp, Stork projected as a potential starting center.
With the offensive line’s struggles and the team’s confidence to put him into the game, Stork could be the center of the future, allowing the Patriots to play an offensive line (from left to right) of Solder, Marcus Cannon, Stork, Connolly and Sebastian Vollmer.
