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From Bedard:

"In the passing game, the Patriots allowed 19 total quarterback pressures: zero sacks, 12 hurries, and seven knockdowns. A whopping 5.5 were the responsibility of right tackle Sebastian Vollmer..."

In their biggest game, the Patriots failed to measure up - Patriots - Boston.com

And this is with the guy actually on the field and not injured, which is always lurking around the corner.

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DaBruinz

It's a poorly written sentence with no offering of a comparison.. And it's only Bedard's claim that the pressures were Vollmer's responsibility.

And just remember. This is the same guy who blamed the running game for the loss even though the running game actually did extremely well when called upon.

supafly

Interesting that he chose the running game, as that would not have been on the top of my list...or even the number two or three reasons.

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supafly

No. Personally I do not believe that Vollmer is the top priority. I think that the "top priority" could fall into 2 categories, although this is obviously just my personal opinon:

1. Welker--certainly argument there for top priority status.

2. A combination of some of the smaller players like Woodhead, Edelman, and Arrington, but it certainly has to be a multiple player combination to measure up as top priority. My thinking here is that the team concept would continue to move forward with all 3 players offering starter capability, knowledge of the system, spot duty, special teams, and production on some level.

If the choice needed to be made, I'd prefer it to be one or the other, but in a perfect world we keep Welker and 2 of these above 3 players.

This takes into account that I believe that BOTH of Vollmer and Talib can be replaced due to their perceived market value. I am confident that either/both could be replaced on lesser downside than the above choices. We are not set up great on the outside of the line, but we do have both of Cannon and McDonald at the moment for starter possibility, and can always add an additional player or two via the draft or free agency.

I think there is more bang for the buck in the above choices much more than the perceived higher market value prices that it may cost to keep Vollmer or Talib, although I would certainly like one or both back..don't get me wrong.

It's tough when these decisions have to be made, but we are in better shape next year as far as having to deal with our own FA's.

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MoLewisrocks

Only it didn't. Especially considering it was running against the nickle. And he doesn't blame the backs for most of the lack of success, although he cites a couple of instances where they made the wrong read. He blames the run blocking and in particular that of the TE's. His point being absent Gronk this team was not only limited in the passing game they were limited in the running game.

This team has long needed a running component that is more than complimentary. They need one that can run the ball when they have to, even when the opposition knows it's coming. During the regular season the team set out to balance the offense, but their success was built on a foundation of sand. They could and did run against teams they should have been able to. But they continued to rely on TE blocking (scheme) as a means to that end. They still couldn't run at will against stout run defenses let alone absent their top blocking TE. Statistically they created a misleading assumption which the Ravens chose to challenge, and won.

Bedard's analysis isn't perfect. Can't be when you don't know for a fact what assignments were. He bases most of his conclusions on the success or failure of players based on one on one matchups. But someone gave up 19 pressures (he lays the blame on Brady in two instances) and something resulted in a 3.6 ypc average even on a night when they faced nickle defense more than 90% of the time.

But he does spread the blame around and the end results back up his rational analysis of what the all 22 tape showed him. Injuries hurt them, but we're talking a handful of them which is nearly to be expected. And for that the FO bears the lions share of responsibility. On a night when Brady had limited options to begin with, no one stepped up as a playmaker. Too many drops or stupid mistakes, too few alternative options (Branch played 47% of snaps), conservative field position mindset that led to horrendous clock management, defense unable to generate pressure absent Jones, defense unable to generate turnovers, defense unable to get off the field on third and long, defense challenged to cover deep unable to cover middle to intermediate routes or ultimately in the red zone. It was a combination of insufficient functional depth meets sloppy execution compounded by headscratching game planning and play calling.

Off season self scouting resulted in a flurry of activity designed to upgrade talent at both starting and depth positions on the roster that extended right up to the trading deadline. But at the end of the day most of that activity didn't pan out. Draftees flashed potential but either ended up just flashing it or injured. Never found the functional depth they needed at TE despite investing quite a bit of time and money and valuable roster spots into the search. Upgraded the existing WR corps but failed to do so sufficiently and left it too thin to compensate for injury driven TE issues. Alienated a pro bowl RG they could't then buy back and invested sight unseen in a DT who like numerous veteran WR's whose tires they kicked didn't make it through camp.

This teams got some work to do. They seem to be able to self scout in hindsight, what they do with the information that has been somewhat spotty. Here's hoping they can re-sign most of their own FA or locate adequate replacements (because this team needs more talent not less), they can add a couple of more significant pieces on both sides of the ball via the draft and FA who are durable and can contribute right away and the 2012 rookie class all makes that big year 2 step that Bill always talks about as opposed to regressing in their spohomore season as so many here have of late.

BritPat

Vollmer's had a terrific season, marred by two poor games.

If he's not brought back, it's because of his injury history. Otherwise he's the best RT in the league.

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Wilfork#75

My approach to the Vollmer situation would depend on how they feel about Marcus Cannon at RT. If they are comfortable with him starting there, which I have a feeling they may be, then I would tag and trade Vollmer. I wouldn't let him walk as a free agent because I think his value is extremely high and with a weak OT class he could bring a good return. There are only 3 OT's worthy of 1st round grades in this draft, Luke Joeckel top 5, Eric Fisher top 5-10 and Lane Johnson mid-late 1st. With the amount of teams looking for OT help, Vollmer could be the most attractive name available (if Jake Long is franchised or re-signed).

I think a 2nd round pick + for higher teams like Philly, Arizona or SD would be a fair price if they don't go LT early in the draft. I wouldn't rule out the possibility of a 1st round pick from a team like St Louis or Chicago who may miss out on one of the top guys and have a clear need at LT. Chicago in particular seems like a team that should make this type of move because they feel they have the defense, QB and skill position players in place, now they just need an O-line to keep Jay Cutler healthy. I'm not sure of their cap situation and whether they would be able to sign him to a long term contract, but I think it makes a lot of sense on their part.

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SeymourTrophies

Paul Kruger had a pretty good game. That might have had something to do with those statistics.

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UK_Pat37

Top writing, once again, from Bedard.........................

...............sense the sarcasm?

He's a guy you want to resign. I'd say you could argue about sticking him in the top three after Welker and Talib. I was impressed with Cannon when we called upon him despite his lack lustre preseason.

We should resign him but as always it's about the asking price.

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upstater1

It used to be the LT was responsible for keeping speed rushers weighing roughly 255 pounds (Von Miller or Dumervil types) off of the QB's blind side, but in today's NFL, it's the RT who has to face JJ Watt, Paul Kruger, Mario Williams, etc.

RT is becoming the new LT.

Vollmer is doing a good job. You have to keep him.