mgteich

We have two fine prospects in Ohrenberger and Vollmer. I don't think either is likely to be much help this year if there are injuries at guard or center. I don't see LeVoir as a backup guard.

That would leave one backup on the roster for Mankins, Koppen, and Neal. That player would be there to spell any of these on Game Day. If any of the three starters or the one backup is injured, we will need to count on Ohrenberger.

The options in case of injury at center or guard are to count on
1) Ohrenberger,
2) a Practice Squad player,
3) a street free agent, or
4) carry 10 offensive linemen this year.

Given that Hochstein is also a fullback in short yardage situations and sometimes even a tight end, perhaps Hochstein can be that 10th offensive lineman.

jmt57

There's no chance that Vollmer would make it to the practice squad and it's very doubtful Ohrenberger could make it there either. I wonder if one of them should sustain an injury in training camp that he would be red-shirted and spend the season on IR if BB feels he is not catching on quickly enough to help out should he be needed to play on the line this year.

Otherwise I see Al Johnson as the odd man out and the Pats going with nine OL.

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mgteich

I think that Johnson and Hochstein will fight it out for the last spot. One point I was trying to make was that I might like both to make the squad. Johnson may be a better interior lineman. However, Hochstein is a fine Player 53 for this team, given his position flexibility.

Personally, I would rather have 10 offensive lineman than keep Green-Ellis on the 53 man roster.

TriplecHamp

What about Bussey? Practice squad?

jmt57

Barring an injury between now and September 14th, I'm guessing Bussey is headed to the practice squad. An interesting prospect for 2010 but he's a longshot to make the Pats' roster this year, in my opinion.

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mgteich

I project Bussey to the Practice Squad.

PatsCanDoIt

In that case I am rooting for him to crack this roster. Louisville ran/threw the ***** out of the football with Brohm and Bussey was a part of that.

Fencer

Agreed w/ all of it.

5 interior OL who actually know how to play seems like a prudent minimum.

stinkypete

I agree with all the points of this post, but...

...this roster currently is loaded with tight ends who CAN block. Chris Baker has been an above average blocker his entire career, and Watson has improved by leaps and bounds in this area the past two years. Is it prudent to dedicate that many roster spots to one aspect of your game?

State

How about trading Matt Light to a team that needs O-line help like Arizona or St. Louis? We should be able to get a second- or third-rounder for him, ammunition to go after Mt. Cody in next year's draft.

Light isn't getting any younger. His effectiveness is ebbing slightly because of the ravages of aging. I'm absolutely fine with LeVoir based on what I saw last year.

Linemen in the NFL probably age five times faster than the rest of us. At least. Vollmer also may be ready this year, what with the pass-happy Houston offense built up his pass-blocking skills. He's very smart to learn the X's and O's. And he's an older rookie at 25, much like Kaczur was, who I think played some his rookie year.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.