Onwenu starts at left guard for New England Patriots
Michael Onwenu started at left guard for the Patriots when Joe Thuney was moved to center to replace the injured David Andrews. Onwenu together with the rest of the offensive line had a solid game as the Patriots totaled 250 yards rushing against the Raiders. Onwenu often is the first offensive line sub off the bench when a starter is out. The Patriots appear to have another sixth round draft choice from Michigan that is contributing earlier than many expected.
Chase Winovich's performance on the field for the Patriots was a key to the win. He forced a fumble in the first half. In the second half he pushed the pocket forcing the Oakland QB back into the end zone where Calhoun had a strip sack which Wise recovered for a touchdown. One source reports Winovich is "arguably the most consistent player in the Patriots’ front seven early on in 2020".
September 28th, 2020 at 8:19 AM ^
It's gratifying to see Onwenu and Winovich, not to mention Ruiz in NOLA, doing well. They were projects in college (well, not Ruiz) and were developed into NFL-grade players. I have high hopes for Uche, too.
September 28th, 2020 at 8:39 AM ^
Has anyone seen a recent update on Uche? He had quite a bit of hype leading into the season and then suddenly started off as an inactive.
September 28th, 2020 at 8:45 AM ^
Patriots just put Uche on injured reserve with a "foot" injury.
It's a different deal with IR this year - believe that puts him out at least three more weeks.
September 28th, 2020 at 10:34 AM ^
Uche is going to be a bit of a project. The Pats will use him situationally at times this year but preseason work for the entire defense has been practically non-existent for everyone. That why it seems the best offenses are miles ahead of defenses at this point.
September 28th, 2020 at 11:01 AM ^
Not to mention, they're moving him to Kyle Van Noy role as an off the ball LB so he has some things to learn
September 28th, 2020 at 10:21 AM ^
Don't forget Mone who had a safety for Seattle.
September 28th, 2020 at 11:00 AM ^
I thought Ruiz barely played at NOLA. Didn't he play 7 snaps in the first two games and I'm not sure if he played regularly last night against the Packers.
September 28th, 2020 at 11:08 AM ^
It is obviously hard to keep track of OL when watching games and I didn't check stats, but I remember seeing Ruiz at guard multiple times throughout the game.
September 28th, 2020 at 1:48 PM ^
You're right, he hasn't played much. He had an ankle issue previously (I believe) but he should be good to go by now. Also, Andrus Peat was carted off last night, so Ruiz will definitely get significant run when he returns to Michigan next week against the Lions
September 28th, 2020 at 11:22 AM ^
Ruiz was also featured in a Microsoft Surface commerical about rookie "traditions" on the Saints.
September 28th, 2020 at 8:40 AM ^
Wish this would translate into more recruiting wins and on-field wins for Michigan.
September 28th, 2020 at 9:42 AM ^
It would be nice if we ever had any offensive players that aren’t linemen enter the NFL and do something, then you might reap some rewards.
September 28th, 2020 at 10:25 AM ^
Username checks out.
September 28th, 2020 at 11:16 AM ^
It is actually a good point. I think our OL recruiting and development is in good shape. We could debate the DL lately I suppose. But the reality is that we need stronger recruiting at the skill positions - QB, RB, WR, CB. There aren't many of those guys doing much in the NFL - at least not getting headlines that could be exploited on the recruiting trail.
- QB - Henne (career back-up), Brady (went to Michigan 23 years ago)
- RB - none
- WR - DPJ (rookie, not playing much), Funchess (opt-out), Darboh (practice squad)
- TE - Butt, McKeon, Gentry (all active, not stars)
- CB - Lewis (rotational guy only), Long (not playing much), Hill (practice squad)
September 28th, 2020 at 11:32 AM ^
Exactly. We’ve had (to the best of my research) 4 offensive skill players play under RichRod or Hoke, finish their careers at Michigan and score TD’s in the NFL:
Denard: 5
Fitz T: 1
Funchess: 21
Junior Hemingway: 2
Who would’ve thought on the day Harbaugh was hired, as of September 2020, not one offensive skill player Harbaugh coached at Michigan would find the end zone in the NFL?
Everything in this post is embarrassing.
September 28th, 2020 at 2:31 PM ^
Don't forget Maurice Hurst. He had a sack yesterday on Cam and was disruptive whenever he was on the field.
September 28th, 2020 at 5:43 PM ^
He wasn't talking about the guys in the trenches. In addition to Hurst we have Brandon Graham (still going strong), Winovich, Bush, Taco, Frank Clark, Glasgow, Gary and Wormley just off the top of my head on defensive front sevens.
September 28th, 2020 at 11:10 AM ^
Agree, but this is an area which requires a real standout (Heisman top 5) or consistency of good players (4-5 players performing at pro-bowl level) for both college production and recruiting.
It's too bad Nico won't be playing this year. He could have been a high profile WR in college that helps immediate recruiting. Maybe one of the RB's will breakout and start popping up on the Heisman radar. Although, I believe RB by committee will be the norm at Michigan with all of the talent they have. Maybe Dax Hill could be that once in a generation talent in college & NFL which starts attracting more talent to Michigan.
I think Michigan is getting there on the OL assuming Bredeson, Owenu & Ruiz have good careers and are followed by Mayfield, Hayes, etc.
Rashan Gary needs to do well and then Michigan can point to Winovich, Gary & Hurst on the D-line doing well in the NFL. If Uche and Hutchinson can then do well there starts to become critical mass of success. Unfortunately, Charlton and Wormley have not made an impact in the NFL.
Devin Bush Jr. looks to be a good cornerstone for LB success in college and NFL. Hopefully Ross & McGrone will follow and that pipeline can begin.
Unfortunately, the CB's have performed well in college but that has not translated to NFL standouts.
All of this points to how depleted the elite talent level was at Michigan when Harbaugh arrived regardless of recruiting rankings. It also points to the reality Harbaugh is getting the pipeline built back up. Hopefully Michigan sustains good recruiting and NFL production at OL, DL, LB and can add a few more positions of strength soon (maybe QB, please? hopefully?)
September 28th, 2020 at 11:23 AM ^
This is a really good point - that it takes a while to build up critical mass, and Harbaugh started with nothing in the pipeline to work with. Yeah, 2016 was an awesome year with the leftovers of Hoke's efforts from the 2011-2012 classes. But it dropped off significantly after that - a dropoff proven by the amount of young players (ie: Harbaugh recruits) that started seeing a lot of action in 2017. There has also been some coach churn on the offensive side, which is - hopefully - starting to slow down and stabilize.
September 28th, 2020 at 8:44 AM ^
Good for Onwenu - lets keep pumping out starters on the OL and hopefully that translates to recruiting
Chase was probably my favorite player over the past couple years. For what he may lack from a physical standpoint, he will make up with hard work and drive. I wish him the best and I continue to enjoy following his career.
September 28th, 2020 at 2:03 PM ^
This is exactly why I believe Winovich will have a more successful career than Gary, despite the latter clearly being the superior athlete. Winovich's intensity, aggressiveness, and playing hard every down is the difference. I never felt Gary lived up to his potential while here.
September 28th, 2020 at 9:03 AM ^
Onwenu: propelled by hard work, drive, and the Michigan difference.
September 28th, 2020 at 9:09 AM ^
And grapes.
September 28th, 2020 at 9:06 AM ^
Yep, Winovich was on the field for a couple backbreaking plays. Really helped seal the win for the Pats.
Even though they tied, Brandon Graham got red hot and shut down Cincinnati late in their game too.
September 28th, 2020 at 1:58 PM ^
I just came back to Philly area, and I don't really follow the NFL, but it was nice to see Brandon Graham is still a big deal here a decade on. This month he's on the cover/feature article of the regional magazine that gets sent out to everyone (no Michigan shout out tho)
September 29th, 2020 at 12:31 PM ^
But what about your homeboy Big Mike?
September 28th, 2020 at 9:33 AM ^
Love seeing our guys do well at the next level. Well done Onwenu.
September 28th, 2020 at 10:00 AM ^
Big Mike looked and played like a NFL vet yesterday against a good DL. He looks different in body type than in college, leaner. A BB find and development project. Big Mike plays well and establishes himself, BB looks at the $14M playing Thuney and says "I'll take the 3rd round comp pick and save $13M per year."
Winovich is becoming a star. Uche is another classic BB move. Draft early, rave about in camp, then the "injury" hits and goes on IR for an "NFL Red-shirt" year. That's why BB is playing chess with the league, few coaches have the stones not to rush a 2nd round pick.
September 28th, 2020 at 10:09 AM ^
Few coaches have won 6 Super Bowls and been a DC for 2 other wins - so he has more credibility to try whatever he wants than any other active coach.
September 28th, 2020 at 2:34 PM ^
Also he's the GM.
September 28th, 2020 at 10:09 AM ^
I was surprised he went so low. That size and athleticism is rare.
September 28th, 2020 at 11:09 AM ^
Same here, thought he was a really good prospect, better than guys that went ahead of him. The OSU guy has been pretty good for the Lions but the WVU OL we drafted has been a non factor. Just another reason to get rid of Quinn.
September 28th, 2020 at 11:49 AM ^
I thought you were referring to a play not the draft. Had to read the reply to understand.
September 28th, 2020 at 12:39 PM ^
Yeah, Michael Onwenu was the OL I always found myself watching throughout his career at Michigan. Even back in high school in the Army All American game, his freakish wide body and raw power made him stick out like a man among boys. Loved watching him move DLs and flat bulldoze LBs and safeties on the power runs at UM.
September 28th, 2020 at 3:59 PM ^
As far as I know - there has never been a guard that weighed more than 340 (and Onwenu played his last year in college closer to 370) who has made a pro bowl.
September 28th, 2020 at 10:35 AM ^
The Patriots are such a strong, well run organization. As a fan of another AFC East team, it's annoying how they consistently seem to get so much out of their guys but I'm happy for Onwenu and Winovich
September 28th, 2020 at 10:48 AM ^
Such a classic Lions move for them to draft Hockenson instead of Bush, Gary, or Winovich, but it's great for those Wolverines.
September 28th, 2020 at 11:28 AM ^
I will never understand how a TE can be justified as a top 10 draft pick. I don't care how good that guy might be, he plays a niche position that has limited effect on the field. For a team with as many open holes and questions as the Lions continually have, the drafting of a TE inside the top 10 should be a fireable offense for the GM.
September 28th, 2020 at 11:37 AM ^
Agree - Gronk and Kelce are difference makers for their teams, but that's arguably the only two in the league that are true game changers. The odds of finding the next one of those and putting him into your system to reach that potential is pretty low. In fact, you could argue that the reason those guys are difference makers is because they joined an already successful system - not one that had a lot of holes in it.
Build from the trenches, the QB, and maybe an elite CB. Those are the guys who get paid the most (plus WR) and there's a reason.
September 28th, 2020 at 1:01 PM ^
Gronkowski and Kelce weren't top ten picks, either—Gronk was Round 2/Pick 42, and Kelce was Round 3/Pick 63.
Drafting Hockenson #8 overall when you've got as many crucial holes to fill as the Lions is simply rank incompetence.
As was drafting TE Eric Ebron at #10 overall in 2014. In drafting Ebron, the Lions passed up Pro Bowlers Taylor Lewan, Odell Beckham, and Aaron Donald, as well as OG Zack Martin, who's been to six straight Pro-Bowls and been first or second team All-Pro six straight years.
September 28th, 2020 at 2:55 PM ^
I would be interested to see if someone has looked at how many 1st round tight ends have won Super Bowls or played on conference champions. Some of them end up having good careers as individuals, but I don't know that there's any need for a highly drafted tight end in order to have a championship team. The elite tight ends in the league (Kittle, Kelce, Ertz, Andrews, etc.) were not 1st round draft picks. Neither was Gronk.
The last 1st rounder that I think turned into a valuable member of a Super Bowl winner was Jeremy Shockey.
September 28th, 2020 at 7:00 PM ^
Agree that you can find a really good TE later but a number of 1st rounders have had success.
In relatively recent times: Shockey, Dallas Clark and Heath Miller all got rings. Vernon Davis (drafted insanely high) and Greg Olson made the Super Bowl.
September 28th, 2020 at 11:32 AM ^
According to this LINK we have the following people on NFL rosters right now:
- QB - 2 Active
- RB - 0
- WR - 1 Active, 1 Reserved List, 1 Practice Squad
- TE - 3 Active
- OL - 9 Active, 1 PS
- DT - 3 Active
- DE/OLB - 6 Active, 1 Res
- ILB - 1 Active, 1 Res
- Viper - 2 Active
- CB - 2 Active, 1 PS
- S - 4 Active, 1 Res
September 28th, 2020 at 2:07 PM ^
It cannot be stated enough: Onwenu is a beast, that is all
September 28th, 2020 at 6:18 PM ^
350 lbs. the new normal for OL standouts
September 28th, 2020 at 7:27 PM ^
More details:
Onwenu played 100% of the offensive snaps at left guard (69 plays). He also played 23% of the special team snaps at guard.
The Patriots had promoted a more experienced NFL linemen, James Ferentz, from the practice squad to serve as a back-up center. If Onwenu had not played so well, Ferentz might have come in to play center and Thuney moved back to left guard with Onwenu returning to the bench.