By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston

BOSTON (CBS) -- It may have surprised you that tackle Marcus Cannon, not Dont'a Hightower or anyone else on the defense, got a long-term contract extension. You may have even been dismayed at the news. But the truth is, Cannon has improved greatly over last season and earned his money.

Cannon, as expected, faced a swarm of Patriots reporters in the locker room on Wednesday as he fielded questions on what fueled his improvement as a player. He mostly answered in a typical Patriots fashion, but also offered some tiny nuggets of introspection.

He couldn't help but deliver a Belichickian response to a question about whether the continuity of staying at right tackle all season has helped him play better after the musical chairs of the 2015 offensive line.

"It's just coming in and doing your job every day [that has helped me]," said Cannon. "Wherever they put you is where they put you. ... You've got to come in and do the best you can no matter where they put you."

However, Cannon then opened up ever-so-slightly when asked if his added work on his technique has helped him be a better player.

"A lot of things help. More studying, getting in better shape," he said. "That's one thing you might have heard, but there's a lot of things."

It's true, Cannon is in better shape in 2016 than he was last season. He's also changed his style of play. In 2016, an up-and-down year for left tackle Nate Solder, Cannon has arguably been the Patriots' best, most consistent offensive lineman. Pro Football Focus grades him an 83.3 overall, which ranks him as the 17th-best tackle in the NFL - eight-best among right tackles.

Even if Cannon is ultimately exposed in the playoffs or isn't close to "elite" at his position, it's been a stunning turnaround for a player who just one season ago was the scapegoat for the immense struggles of the Patriots offensive line. There are a lot of reasons for his turnaround, but above all else he has simply done his job, a quality that Belichick values greatly and ultimately rewards. But Cannon still realizes that he needs to keep doing so in order to stick around for the duration of his five-year deal.

"Just because I got an extension doesn't mean I'm accomplished," said Cannon. "I've still got to prove that I'm worthy of that. I've still got to perform every week. Still have to go to the practice field, work hard, and do the best I can."

Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.