mayoclinic

Matt Light started at OT the first 5 games of the season. During that time the Pats were 3-2, and averaged just under 21 PPG.

Sebastian Vollmer started at OT the next 5 games, while Light was out injured. During that time the Pats went 4-1 (and should have gone 5-0 except for a 4th quarter collapse against Indy) and averaged almost 38 PPG. Vollmer shut down Dwight Freeney and Joey Porter, among others.

Since Vollmer has missed the past two games we are 0-2. The offense has averaged under 20 PPG for those 2 games. The Oline has allowed Brady to be pressured consistently, including by a 3 man rush from the Saints.

Coincidence?

I'm not dissing Light, who is a good player. And he's probably not back 100%. And the offensive line woes have been much more than the LT spot. But we seemed like a different offense when Vollmer was anchoring the left side, enough so to make me wonder if the difference in play and stats is more than just a coincidence.

3-4 in 7 games started by Light, averaging 20 PPG. 4-1 in 5 games started by Vollmer, averaging 38 PPG.

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"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

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Rob0729

Yes, it is a coincidence. Absolutely. Even if Vollmer is the next Orlando Pace, do you really think a LT is the difference in those losses especially the last two weeks. The defense played key roles in those losses.

Besides, you gotta look at the situations. Both Porter and Taylor were invisible yesterday. It was the interior of the line that had problems yesterday with Randy Starks in his face all game.


With all the other problems with this team, I don't see the Pats being anything other than 7-5 no matter who was the LT. I know you love Vollmer, but to say that he was the missing piece to avoid the losses the Pats have is ignoring a lot of problems with this team.

xmarkd400x

Well,

I'll say that I can watch teams get pressure with 3 and 4 all day against the Pats. And it usually happens on the right side.

mayoclinic

I understand what you're saying, and I pointed some of it out in the OP.

But the difference in offensive performance with Vollmer in the lineup is striking. There's no getting around the fact that the offense played it's best when Vollmer was the starting LT, by a wide margin.

This may be coincidence. But it may be more. Some thoughts which come to mind:

1. Vollmer brings a level of physical dominance and nastiness which Light doesn't have, and which may rub off on other parts of the OL.

2. Vollmer shutting down the left side may allow Mankins to help out more in the middle, addressing at least some of the other weaknesses on the line.

You may be right. But the "coincidence" is awfully striking, to say the least.

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"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

"The key to any successful organization is to anticipate things, not react to them." - Michael Lombardi

BelichickFan

It could. Games often come down to one play. If we'd had the big, bad, German to run behind on the 4th and 1 maybe we get the first down. Then the TD. 21-7 at the half not 14-10. I don't know if it would have happened but clearly one player making a difference on one play can be that difference.

Batman

Indeed it makes a difference If The LT can handle the left side on his own the LG can help the centre more or block on his own which frees the centre to help the RG or again might be able to handle the guy on his own allowing the RG to help the RT who is a "human turnstile" also means that TE can get out as a receiver Does anyone know of any up to date sacks allowed stats for the year?

Fencer

There was a link in another thread. The turnstile has given up zero penalties, very few sacks, but a lot of pressures.

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Fencer

Anyhow, Vollmer is a rookie who's had more than one injury his rookie season. I doubt BB is going to move either Vollmer or Light into Kaczur's spot, just because of that.

We've seen nothing to make us fear for Vollmer's durability over his career. But we have to wonder about his durability while he's still rookie raw.

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mayoclinic

Thta's a very good point.

In the 2nd quarter we had 3rd and 1 at the Miami 6, and twice ran to the left side for no gain. Having Vollmer might well have made a huge difference.

In the 4th quarter we had 1st and goal at the Miami 9, and ran twice to the right side for -1 yard (one nullified by 12 men on the field for Miami), followed by a Brady interception in the end zone. Having Vollmer might have allowed us to run the ball in.

Add 14 points and we win 35-22, and are scoring in the mid 30's again instead of in the low 20's.

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"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

"The key to any successful organization is to anticipate things, not react to them." - Michael Lombardi

DarrylS

When I read these threads always wonder if much of this may be due to a very predictable offense and obvious tendencies??? That allows the D to just tee off and wreck havoc...somewhere along the line this team showed some tendencies, Indy?... and folks have been beating us up since then...

Time to do something different... blocking schemes? Play calling??

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