Several Patriots offensive linemen have spoken highly of their new position coach, Adrian Klemm, since he arrived earlier this offseason.
Dante Scarnecchia joined that chorus last week.
Scarnecchia, whose decades-long run as New England’s O-line coach earned him a spot in the Patriots Hall of Fame, praised Klemm during a recent appearance on the “6 Rings and Football Things” podcast.
“Adrian went into coaching right after he got done playing. I think he’s had a really good career in college,” the former Patriots assistant said, as transcribed by Pats Pulpit. “I remember I went out to work out a player at UCLA, and Adrian was the offensive line coach. I sat at a distance and watched him coach the whole practice. He’s a detailed guy. He’s tough. He doesn’t have much patience for guys that aren’t working hard. I was really impressed with the way he went about his business.”
Scarnecchia got to know Klemm well during the latter’s five seasons as a Patriots player. After getting into coaching in 2008, the 45-year-old former lineman logged stints at SMU, UCLA and Oregon at the college level and also spent three seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bill Belichick hired him away from Oregon in February to replace Matt Patricia, who was ill-prepared for his role as O-line coach/offensive play-caller last season.
The Patriots’ line struggled to find consistency under Patricia’s direction, and his double duty made it difficult for him to actually coach his position group during games. Scarnecchia believes Klemm can get that group back on track.
“I think he’ll go out there, and he’ll be demanding of them, and work hard with them,” said Scarnecchia, whose Patriots Hall of Fame ceremony will be held at some point in the coming months. “I really look for them to play pretty well this year. I really do.”
New England made several other additions to its O-line this offseason, signing Riley Reiff and Calvin Anderson in free agency and using Day 3 draft picks on Jake Andrews, Sidy Sow and Atonio Mafi. Reiff called Klemm “an awesome coach (and) teacher.” Anderson said the coach’s playing experience is evident.
I love AK so far,” Anderson said Thursday at Gillette Stadium. “You can tell he played. You can tell he understands the positions we’re in, that we’re put in on the field. And I always have appreciation for guys who’ve understood first-hand what it’s like to be playing. (He’s) got a good knowledge of the game. He’s one of those coaches who can understand how you learn, all the different guys and the different ways they learn. And just how you learn to tailor the teaching to that. So, I have an appreciation for that.”
The Patriots began organized team activities on Monday and are scheduled to practice in front of reporters for the first time Thursday.
