EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Cam Fleming is perhaps unique among NFL players in that he majored in aeronautics and astronautics at Stanford. That is one reason he had a dream that was unlikely to have been shared by his football brethren.
"I did want to be an astronaut at one point," Fleming said today.
He instead turned to football, which has been very rewarding. An offensive lineman, Fleming started all 39 games in which he played for the Cardinal. The New England Patriots selected him in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft and in his four years with the team he played in three Super Bowls, winning two. Fleming played the 2018-19 seasons for the Dallas Cowboys. Last week, he joined the Giants as a free agent.
It's likely no newcomer is as familiar with his new coaches and teammates as Fleming, because he has worked with so many of them the last six years.
Giants head coach Joe Judge was the Patriots' special teams assistant coach and then coordinator when Fleming was in New England. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett was his head coach in Dallas and Marc Colombo will be his position coach for the third consecutive season. Fleming said the presence of Garrett and Colombo was a "big factor" in his decision to sign with the Giants.
"You're talking about two coaches that I've worked with for the past two years," he said. "They know exactly what I can do. They definitely believed in me enough to try to get me with them when they went to the Giants."
Colombo, a lineman for three NFL teams from 2002-11, is large and loud, and a particular favorite of Fleming's.
"I love playing for Coach Colombo," Fleming said. "He's excited about football every day. He comes in with that energy, that big Boston accent. A lot of passion coming out of him. He has a really good focus on technique. He spends a lot of time workshopping us. He does a really good job of fine-tuning. We watch a lot of individual film to make sure that our techniques are where they need to be.
"I think him playing, he knows exactly what it takes to survive in this league. He played a long time. He obviously picked a few things up in his ten-plus years playing professional football. He has a knowledge on both sides that really help."
View photos of offensive tackle Cameron Fleming.
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) in action during an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. The Cardinals defeated the Cowboys, 27-3. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. Arizona won 27-3. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) runs during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019 in Detroit. The Cowboys defeated the Lions 35-27. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. Arizona won 27-3. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) lines up during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) stands on the sidelines for the National Anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Chicago. The Bears won 31-24. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) blocks during an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 in Houston. Houston won 14-6. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) lines up during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Detroit. The Cowboys defeated the Lions, 35-27. (James D. Smith via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) talks with Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) following a week 2 NFL football game on Sunday September 16, 2018 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) blocks Washington Redskins linebacker Nate Orchard (54) during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins, 47-16. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins, 47-16. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Cameron Fleming (75) waits for the snap during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday Oct. 6, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. The Packers defeated the Cowboys 34-24. (Greg Trott via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins, 47-16. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) during an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday October 13, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Dallas Cowboys tackle Cameron Fleming (75) lines up in a two-point stance during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. The Packers defeated the Cowboys 34-24. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) defends against a rush by Houston Texans linebacker Davin Bellamy (48) in the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys tackle Cameron Fleming (75) lines up in a two-point stance during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. The Packers defeated the Cowboys 34-24. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) gestures with his arms after a play during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) sets up to block during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in East Rutherford, NJ. The Jets defeated the Cowboys, 24-22. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) lines up during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. The Packers beat the Cowboys 34-24. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) looks on as the Cowboys play the Green Bay Packers in an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) looks on during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. The Packers beat the Cowboys 34-24. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) and running back Darius Jackson (26) line up against Houston Texans linebacker Davin Bellamy (48) in the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) walks on the field against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL preseason football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Josie Lepe)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) stands on the field during a NFL Thursday Night Football game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018 in Arlington, Tex. The Cowboys won the game 13-10. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL preseason football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Josie Lepe)
Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Cameron Fleming (75) waits for the snap during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019 in Santa Clara, Calif. The 49ers defeated the Cowboys 17-9. (Greg Trott via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) sets up to block Los Angeles Rams linebacker Josh Carraway (42) during a 2019 NFL week 2 preseason game, Saturday, August 17, 2019 in Honolulu. The Cowboys defeated the Rams, 14-10. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys tackle Cameron Fleming (75) lines up in a two-point stance during an NFL preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. The 49ers defeated the Cowboys 17-9. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) blocks San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker David Mayo during an NFL preseason football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Josie Lepe)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) lines up on the line of scrimmage during a week 12 NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 31-23. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) looks up from the sideline with his helmet off during a NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018 in Seattle. The Seahawks won the game 24-13. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) sets up to block during a 2018 NFL week 17 regular season game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cowboys defeated the Giants, 36-35. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) in action during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Saints, 13-10. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) takes the field during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Atlanta. The Cowboys won 22-19. (Paul Abell via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) block during an NFL preseason football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. San Francisco won 24-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) faces off against Washington Redskins linebacker Preston Smith (94) during the first half of an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018. The Dallas Cowboys won 31-23. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) blocks during an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 in Houston. Houston won 14-6. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (71) blocks during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Giants Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New England Patriots lineman Cameron Fleming #71 in action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl 52 on Sunday, February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis. Philadelphia won the game 41-33. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
New England Patriots offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (71) runs off the field following Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018 in Minneapolis. Philadelphia won 41-33. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
New England Patriots tackle Cameron Fleming spikes the ball after Dion Lewis scored a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots Cameron Fleming #71 in action against the Atlanta Falcons at Super Bowl 51 on Sunday, February 5, 2017 in Houston, TX. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
New England Patriots lineman Cameron Fleming #71 in action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl 52 on Sunday, February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis. Philadelphia won the game 41-33. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
New England Patriots offensive lineman Cameron Fleming (71) pass blocks during the AFC divisional round game against the Tennessee Titans Saturday January 13, 2018 in Foxboro, Mass. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New England Patriots offensive tackle Cameron Fleming during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
New England Patriots offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (71) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New England Patriots guard Cameron Fleming (71) is seen in action during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills on Monday, Nov. 23, 2015, in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 20-13. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots tackle Cameron Fleming (71) prepares to block against the Philadelphia Eagles during Super Bowl LII, Sunday Feb. 4, 2018 in Minneapolis. The Eagles defeated the Patriots 41-33 to win their first Super Bowl. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New England Patriots offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (71) gestures during an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 23-22. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (71) runs during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, in Pittsburgh. The Patriots won 27-24. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New England Patriots offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (71) is seen during an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 23-22. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (71) jogs off the field during the 2015 week 9 regular season NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015 in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won the game 27-10. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New England Patriots offensive lineman Cameron Fleming (71) runs during a week 7 NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Oct 23, 2016, in Pittsburgh. The Patriots won 27-16. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New England Patriots offensive lineman Cameron Fleming (71) pass blocks in action against the New York Jets Sunday December 31, 2017 in Foxboro, Mass. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New England Patriots offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (71) pass blocks in action against the Miami Dolphins Thursday October 29, 2015 in Foxboro, Mass (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New England Patriots offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (71) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, September 11, 2016, in Glendale, AZ. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
New England Patriots offensive tackle Cameron Fleming blocks against the Miami Dolphins during a NFL football game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
New England Patriots offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (71) blocks during the 2015 week 9 regular season NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015 in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won the game 27-10. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New England Patriots guard Cameron Fleming (71) runs during a week 11 NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis, Indiana on Sunday, November 16, 2014. The Patriots defeated the Colts 42-20. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
New England Patriots offensive lineman Cameron Fleming (71) pass blocks in action against the New York Giants Thursday September 3, 2015 in Foxboro, Mass (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New England Patriots offensive tackle Cameron Fleming during a NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
Fleming also enjoyed his time with Judge.
"I remember he was another high-energy guy," Fleming said. "During team meetings, he used to coach the tackling drills and go through it. He just always had so much energy. Obviously, I played a very little bit of special teams, just on the field goal team. I'm excited to be working for him."
The Giants signed former Patriots special teams standout Nate Ebner, who was Fleming's four-year teammate. When New England played Philadelphia in Super Bowl LII, their starting tackles were Nate Solder and Fleming. Now they're reunited on the Giants.
"Nate's a great teammate, he's a great leader, he's able to rally the troops," Fleming said. "He's one of the nicest guys you'll meet. I'm excited to be back with him."
And then there's the Stanford connection. When the season ended, the Giants had two players from the Bay Area academic powerhouse in tight end Kaden Smith and safety Michael Thomas (who is currently a free agent). They've since added three more: linebacker Blake Martinez, tight end Levine Toilolo and Fleming.
"I like that a lot," Fleming said. "High quality athlete and a scholar out of Stanford, why wouldn't you want to load up on those guys if you have the opportunity?"
Fleming, 27, has played in 75 regular-season games with 26 starts and in 11 postseason games with two starts. In the regular season, Fleming has started 10 games at both left and right tackle, five as an extra tackle and one game his rookie season at right guard. Both of his postseason starts were at right tackle.
The Giants' incumbent starter at that position, Mike Remmers, recently joined the Kansas City Chiefs. But Fleming doesn't know where the Giants coaches will place him first.
"In my football career, I played more right tackle," he said "But I think Dallas really made me get comfortable on the left. I went in there, they made sure that I could hold my own on the left, so I feel comfortable on either side. It doesn't really matter to me."
Fleming concedes he needs to find a position, because the opportunity to be an astronaut has passed him by.
"I've been in football way too long," Fleming said. "I'd have to go back to school, be around a lot of the equations and the math and all the stuff that I knew six years ago.
"I was never into the space as much as I was into the aerospace. I really liked planes and stuff like that more than I liked rocket ships. But if I catch a Space X launch on T.V. or something like that, I'll watch it for a little bit. It's still cool to know how all of that works and know all the forces and stuff for a rocket to get up in the air. But I like planes a lot better."
Fleming hasn't given up his dream entirely – perhaps he can be a civilian on the Space Shuttle.
"Outside of being an astronaut, I know it takes quite a bit of money and probably 5 or 10 years," he said. "We'll see. Hopefully I live a nice, long life, and 30 years from now it'll be like taking a plane."
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