State

The resurgence of the 3-4 defense in which a massive NT is essential to make it work, centers like Koppen who are just shy of 300 pounds may be an endangered species.

Two-gap run stuffers like Ron Brace are coveted. People are already talking around here about Alabama's Mt. Cody for the Pats next year.

This may be a harbinger of this season--Patriots run blocking--Koppen knocked back into the backfield to blowup a play.

Defenses can expect runs off tackle more than up the gut with the exception of a draw during an anticipated pass.

So I had my expectations dashed that the Patriots were going to draft a center in the 2009 draft. There were three goods ones: Eric Wood, Max Unger, and esp. Alex Mack.

All three had an upgrade on size over Koppen.

I wonder if Hochstein would be an improvement today.

Patriot Missile

Koppen is fine for now. He has done well against almost all the competition he has faced including the 3-4 teams and I don't see any reason for that to change anytime soon.

Teams are way behind the 8 ball when it comes to the 3-4. These teams that think they are going to just switch to 3-4 are woefully wrong. Good NT's in the draft don't grow on trees and there are not too many veteran ones either. Teams will be realizing that they need a special player in the middle to make it all work after they give up a few 200+ yard rushing games. Look at the 02 Patriots before Ted Washington arrived.

There is more to being a center than just bulk and size. Technique such as hand, footwork and scheme are often overlooked.

Remix 6

Koppen had a pretty bad year last year getting driven back by DTs a lot. Kris Jenkins especially dominated him

stinkypete

I don't think so. The run blocking was stellar last year, what exactly changed has around the league this offseason that would change that?

The Jets still have Jenkins
The Phins still have Furguson
Denver switched to a 3-4, but have no NT
KC will run a hybrid 3-4/4-3 mix, but have no NT
Green Bay isn't on the schedule.

Aside from Raji, who we will see no more than 3 times in his entire career, the only other big NT in this draft was drafted by the Patriots.

And given Koppen practices against Wilfork and soon Brace every week, I'm sure he knows how to handle these guys.

RoughingthePasser

It's a double-edged sword.

Koppen has the advantage in some areas but can be played out in others.
That's the case for any player.

I''m a big supporter of Dan and his role is under appreciated.

The size issue though can be debated continuously....just remember...

big things come in small packages.

ctpatsfan77

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klinefan

I wanted them to draft a guard like Funuki Tupuo who is really strong enough to root out DL. But instead they drafted this unathletic little guard who doesn't "get much movement in the run game" according to sites. Not good.

Deus Irae

Koppen had an elbow injury last year

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holyredeemer

"YOU ******* SUCK!!"


Yes, let's also not forget the wonderful attitude these undersized athletes possess. LMS cannot be taught, but it sure does spread like wildfire :P

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"The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur."
-- Vince Lombardi on football

Box_O_Rocks

Hoch was starting to struggle as a Guard, you could see it in 2007 and again last season. He's still good at Center where he has help, but I'd not consider him an upgrade for Koppen.

Wood, Mack, Unger, Koppen, there's trade-offs to be made. I wanted Wood as a reserve Guard behind Neal and Mankins, and as a back-up for Koppen, Mack or Unger would have been the same for me.

Koppen struggled last year, but so did Mankins and Yates at the beginning of the season. For all the troubles attributed to Koppen, please note that Joyner attributed 197 run attempts behind him - #2 on the team by a good margin.

The battle inside is often one of leverage over brute strength, one of the reasons Neal is so good with his wrestling background. Mankins and Koppen are both known as technicians, they get good leverage too. Ohrnberger and Bussey both get good marks for being technicians, as does Wendell who came out the Fresno State program under BB's old O-line coach to also developed Mankins.

I'm content with Koppen as #1 Center.

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