Deus Irae

With the offseason too soon upon us, and the board stagnating into a Welker-fest, I thought it might be a good time to look at people's perceptions of team wants and needs (candy v. oxygen) for the various positional groups. So, here's the current breakdown on the O-line (If I get any contract status wrong or miss anyone, my apologies. I'm just using Rotoworld as a clearinghouse and mistakes are possible):

LT - Solder - under contract through 2014
LG - Mankins - under contract through 2016
C - Wendell - under contract through 2012
RG - Connolly - under contract through 2014
RT - Vollmer - free agent

Marcus Cannon - under contract through 2014
Nick McDonald - under contract through 2013
Brian Waters - under control but likely retired
Donald Thomas - free agent
Marcus Zusevics - under contract through 2014
Kyle Hix - under contract through 2013
Jamey Richard - free agent



So..... whatcha got?

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Sciz

I don't know if the coaches feel the same way, but I'm awfully optimistic about Cannon. Between last year's Dolphins game and this year's Jets game, we saw him do the two things you want out of a tackle, holding his own against good competition and dominating bad competition. He held Cam Wake relatively quiet last year (he had a sack, but that was against Gronk), and he dominated everybody the Jets put in front of him this year.

Now he's not nearly the pass blocker that Vollmer is (no right tackle in the NFL is), but I think we were awfully spoiled with Vollmer for a few years. I can definitely see Cannon being better than Kaczur, and they seemed to score plenty of points with him at right tackle.


As for the rest of the line, the only other potential change I see is if the Pats want to grab one of the top 6 or so center/guard prospects (Warmack, Cooper, Fluker, Jones, Warford, Frederick) to try to add some bulk to the inside of the line. I personally think they can be just fine with Wendell and Connolly, but upgrading the run-blocking might be one of the best ways to improve the team. I don't know.

And I hope/expect that they bring in a developmental LT prospect sometime in the draft.

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supafly

Ryan Wendell is definitely here through the 2013 season, and won't be a free agent until early 2014, and I am glad. I was impressed with his ability at times, and I think that he did a fine job considering that some had him written off prior to the start of training camp.

I have a feeling that Vollmer doesn't stay here just due to the fact that another team will almost certainly overpay for the position. When he's healthy he is good, but it's my opinion that even if there weren't as many health concerns we may not have ended up keeping him. That does leave a void for sure, not just starting talent, but also depth on the outside.

Cannon and McDonald are possibilities, as is Hix--depending upon his growth to this point. They are all guys who should in theory, be here to compete for the outside role.

Everywhere else seems to be pretty stable as starters go, although I think it's not exactly "oxygen," but I would like to think that they'd be in a much better position by retaining Donald Thomas for interior presence/depth.

The line in general would be considered in a "average--to--better than average" standing in my opinion, due to the contractual status of having many guys retained through the next 2 years, cap cost efficiency, having decent NFL quality starters, depth for the most part, experience in different roles, and overall development.

I think that they'll continue to address the position, just like many others on the team, but that it isn't as much of a concern as some would believe with the probable (IMO) departure of Vollmer.

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ausbacker

There's two units I give slim to no thought every year because I know the Patriots have it covered - Quarterback and OL. Scarnecchia gets it done no matter what the personnel grouping.

ATippett56

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Word of Muth: Patriots Exit Exam

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mgteich

We will need backups, with Cannon likely to start at RT. I would overpay a bit to keep Thomas. We also need a veteran backup OT?

supafly

I agree with your thoughts. I think that Cannon is the starting RT, and that we should do what is necessary to try and keep Thomas. As I said in my response, keeping Thomas shouldn't be considered "oxygen" (giving examples in Deus' terms), but it shouldn't be considered "candy" either. Something in the middle is appropriate, and I would be happy if they decided to overpay a bit to retain his services.

Overall, I agree that we still need at least another vet OT, but the concern is minimal as it shouldn't be too much of a problem, even despite our recent failures at obtaining a vet OT.

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Patiently waiting to defend the next "bubble" player in this summer's training camp.....

supafly

I see some prospective team attempting to use Vollmer at LT too, and I'm not entirely sure that we can base his limited failures here at LT in an attempt to gauge whether or not he can do it in the future.

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Patiently waiting to defend the next "bubble" player in this summer's training camp.....

Brady_to_Moss

I hope vollmer is back

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ATippett56

Markus Zusevics started two years at right tackle for the University of Iowa. If Zusevics had not torn his pectoral at the NFL Scouting Combine, he would have been drafted.

In addition, the New England Patriots have the option to trade down from the first three rounds of the 2013 NFL Draft and pick up a fourth round draft pick.

NFL Draft - 2013 NFL Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

Negative!

The New England Patriots have bigger fish to fry in unrestricted free agency:

Woodhead
Welker
Edelman
Vollmer
Talib or cornerback du jour
Arrington

The New England Patriots have two restricted free agents to consider:

Fletcher
Hoomanawanui

The New England Patriots need to locate a developmental left tackle.

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