Chase is going to be an NFL star.
How is Patriots rookie Chase Winovich dominating the preseason? New England’s offensive tackles explain
by Andrew Callahan
It all comes back to the motor.
Chase Winovich can’t turn it off. Preseason opponents can’t slow it. Winovich’s teammates, who were first exposed to the rookie’s relentlessness in June and July practices, have been pushed to the point they’ve pushed back well after the whistle.
Offensive tackle Dan Skipper’s did so twice in training camp. But since then, Skipper’s wisened up to how to combat the indefatigable rookie, who owns a team-high 2.5 sacks halfway through the preseason.
“Stuff breaks down as time goes on. Having the ability to be slippery late, that’s what a motor does for you," Skipper said. "The play’s never over (with him), which makes it tougher. It’s harder to be clean. You see a lot more fight reps and things like that.”
Opposing tackles might be better off simply squaring up from the start.
One week after Winovich chased down 1.5 sacks and four tackles in Detroit, he totaled five stops, a sack, two quarterback hits, two tackles for loss and several pressures at Tennessee. Not to mention the pair of drawn holds. He effectively turned the right side of the Titans’ offensive line into a turnstile.
After the 22-17 win — during which New England posted a second-half shutout — Winovich was asked why his maximum effort seems to differ from other players'.
“It’s weird. I really don’t know why I’m built like that," he said. "It might be a gift and a curse sometimes when it’s extremely hot and they’re just trying to run the ball away and I see the guy. In my head there’s a little part of me that’s like, ‘You’re probably not going to make this play, maybe this one you should stay for the next one when it comes to you.’
"But then you’ll see me just sprinting and trying to hit somebody.”
Relentlessness is one thing. When paired with raw power, quickness and speed, it becomes another entirely. And in those areas, Winovich also registers as elite.
At the NFL Combine last February, Winovich clocked a 4.59 in the 40-yard dash, a time that bested several attending wide receivers and running backs. Even better was his 6.94 in the three-cone drill, a New England favorite, which also registered among the best of the 337 players. Winvoich also cranked out 18 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, showcasing an upper-body strength he’s since used to bench press opposing blockers into backfields.
Said Bill Belichick midway through training camp. “Chase is tough. He runs well. He’s got good size, good power.”
Patriots offensive tackle Cole Croston re-signed with the team barely a week ago after starting the summer on PUP and has already seen enough to recognize Winovich is on the path to regular-season impact. Perhaps even a long career. After mentioning his motor, Croston turned immediately to the rookie’s advanced technique in a post-game interview Saturday night.
“He’s great with his hands. Strong kid who’s really coming into his own. He’s working hard out there," Croston said. “He’s becoming a good player.”
Off the field, Winovich carries his unyielding approach into the film room. Skipper says he knows the Michigan product logs long hours studying tape. In there, Winovich is following a game plan laid out for him by former Patriots and longtime mentor Willie McGinest: rush with a plan and know your opponents.
Soon enough, they will know him. They will feel him.
The man with the motor that just won’t die.
https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2...n-new-englands-offensive-tackles-explain.html
How is Patriots rookie Chase Winovich dominating the preseason? New England’s offensive tackles explain
by Andrew Callahan
It all comes back to the motor.
Chase Winovich can’t turn it off. Preseason opponents can’t slow it. Winovich’s teammates, who were first exposed to the rookie’s relentlessness in June and July practices, have been pushed to the point they’ve pushed back well after the whistle.
Offensive tackle Dan Skipper’s did so twice in training camp. But since then, Skipper’s wisened up to how to combat the indefatigable rookie, who owns a team-high 2.5 sacks halfway through the preseason.
“Stuff breaks down as time goes on. Having the ability to be slippery late, that’s what a motor does for you," Skipper said. "The play’s never over (with him), which makes it tougher. It’s harder to be clean. You see a lot more fight reps and things like that.”
Opposing tackles might be better off simply squaring up from the start.
One week after Winovich chased down 1.5 sacks and four tackles in Detroit, he totaled five stops, a sack, two quarterback hits, two tackles for loss and several pressures at Tennessee. Not to mention the pair of drawn holds. He effectively turned the right side of the Titans’ offensive line into a turnstile.
After the 22-17 win — during which New England posted a second-half shutout — Winovich was asked why his maximum effort seems to differ from other players'.
“It’s weird. I really don’t know why I’m built like that," he said. "It might be a gift and a curse sometimes when it’s extremely hot and they’re just trying to run the ball away and I see the guy. In my head there’s a little part of me that’s like, ‘You’re probably not going to make this play, maybe this one you should stay for the next one when it comes to you.’
"But then you’ll see me just sprinting and trying to hit somebody.”
Relentlessness is one thing. When paired with raw power, quickness and speed, it becomes another entirely. And in those areas, Winovich also registers as elite.
At the NFL Combine last February, Winovich clocked a 4.59 in the 40-yard dash, a time that bested several attending wide receivers and running backs. Even better was his 6.94 in the three-cone drill, a New England favorite, which also registered among the best of the 337 players. Winvoich also cranked out 18 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, showcasing an upper-body strength he’s since used to bench press opposing blockers into backfields.
Said Bill Belichick midway through training camp. “Chase is tough. He runs well. He’s got good size, good power.”
Patriots offensive tackle Cole Croston re-signed with the team barely a week ago after starting the summer on PUP and has already seen enough to recognize Winovich is on the path to regular-season impact. Perhaps even a long career. After mentioning his motor, Croston turned immediately to the rookie’s advanced technique in a post-game interview Saturday night.
“He’s great with his hands. Strong kid who’s really coming into his own. He’s working hard out there," Croston said. “He’s becoming a good player.”
Off the field, Winovich carries his unyielding approach into the film room. Skipper says he knows the Michigan product logs long hours studying tape. In there, Winovich is following a game plan laid out for him by former Patriots and longtime mentor Willie McGinest: rush with a plan and know your opponents.
Soon enough, they will know him. They will feel him.
The man with the motor that just won’t die.
https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2...n-new-englands-offensive-tackles-explain.html
