Lost in the shuffle...Stephen Neal - New England Patriots Forums

patsox23 · 04-27-2006, 12:50 PM

Not to say we had no posts about his re-upping in N.E., but it just seems to have been an underrated and underreported aspect of the Patriots' off-season. This was a GREAT re-sign, IMO. Not Seymour-level great, not even close, but a very good, important, solid signing in favor of continuity. And a good deal.

Just thought I'd acknowledge it again.

Ochmed Jones · 04-27-2006, 01:00 PM

I thought Neal was the second biggest underperformer on the Pats last year, Wilson at FS was #1 for me. Maybe it was the switch to the right side, or maybe it was the impending free agency or maybe he had an undisclosed injury or maybe the Koppen injury affected his game, but he did not take the next step forward in my book. At the end of the 2004 season, I thought he was on the verge of all pro status, but in 2005, he laid an egg. He did not get a lot of push in the middle, his pass blocking looked very stiff, he missed a bunch of blitzers because he was late coming off blocks and that awesome knee bend causing the leveraged redirect of the DL guys, was not there last season.
I hope he gets back on the beam this year, but as of right now, I'm still calling for an overhaul of the right side of the OL.

patsox23 · 04-27-2006, 01:02 PM

I agree that Neal was a disappointment last year, and I REALLY agree that Geno was. But I think it's probable that both will rebound, particularly Neal - and I think BB believes so, as well, or wouldn't have pursued bringing him back.

***Bobs My Uncle*** · 04-27-2006, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ochmed Jones

I thought Neal was the second biggest underperformer on the Pats last year, Wilson at FS was #1 for me. Maybe it was the switch to the right side, or maybe it was the impending free agency or maybe he had an undisclosed injury or maybe the Koppen injury affected his game, but he did not take the next step forward in my book. At the end of the 2004 season, I thought he was on the verge of all pro status, but in 2005, he laid an egg. He did not get a lot of push in the middle, his pass blocking looked very stiff, he missed a bunch of blitzers because he was late coming off blocks and that awesome knee bend causing the leveraged redirect of the DL guys, was not there last season.
I hope he gets back on the beam this year, but as of right now, I'm still calling for an overhaul of the right side of the OL.

It couldn't have helped Neal any that he had to cover for not only a marginal starter at OC once Koppen went down but also for a marginal starter at RT for all of the year.

Fix the OC and RT spots and I suspect Neal is an above average player for us at RG.

***Mike the Brit*** · 04-27-2006, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ochmed Jones

I thought Neal was the second biggest underperformer on the Pats last year, Wilson at FS was #1 for me. Maybe it was the switch to the right side, or maybe it was the impending free agency or maybe he had an undisclosed injury or maybe the Koppen injury affected his game, but he did not take the next step forward in my book. At the end of the 2004 season, I thought he was on the verge of all pro status, but in 2005, he laid an egg. He did not get a lot of push in the middle, his pass blocking looked very stiff, he missed a bunch of blitzers because he was late coming off blocks and that awesome knee bend causing the leveraged redirect of the DL guys, was not there last season.
I hope he gets back on the beam this year, but as of right now, I'm still calling for an overhaul of the right side of the OL.

Excellent post, Ochmed. From what I saw that was spot on.

Feep_FLA · 04-27-2006, 01:20 PM

I see an offensive line in a lot of ways the same as I view a long, tough par 5. It takes 3 good golf shots to get on the green and 2 good putts to card a par 5. An O-line is similar in that one top player, say the LT, cannot dominate a game. It takes that really good LT and 4 other good players working together to either run-block or pass-rush defend effectively..... They are the sum of their parts. They are a unit in every sense of the word.... I like Neal a lot and love the energy he brings. Obviously Matt Light and Danny Boy Koppen getting hurt threw the unit into disarray last year, but on the upside it gave Gorin and Kaczur and Ashworth lots of playing time..... Mankins was pretty solid as a rookie. Ashworth is gone and seemingly the Pats let him leave for a reason...
That was pretty long-winded but I like the looks of the O-line going forward to TC but would like to see a center and a swing tackle added. I won't hide my desire to see Mangold in a Pats uniform......If Koppens injury is that severe or they don't intend to resign him I would love to see Mangold at 21....Neal will be fine this year

JR4 · 04-27-2006, 01:26 PM

I was hoping Neal's position would be upgraded. Neal will be OK and there
could be a lot worst at his position. Maybe he'll rebound and surprise.

Ochmed Jones · 04-27-2006, 01:34 PM

A lot of posters have expressed concerns previously about Light coming back, and now I'm sensing concerns about Koppen as well. This brings me back to something Ty Law said a few years back. Does anybody else feel that the Pats medical staff needs some upgrading????????

Feep_FLA · 04-27-2006, 01:40 PM

Ochmed.... I hadn't thought about it but you may be right..... Hmmmmmmm

p8ryts · 04-27-2006, 01:50 PM

I can't agree with that. They may not be pro bowl players but Gorin has played effectively including super bowl years and Hochstein filled in very well. There was a reversal in the run effectiveness and sometimes pass blocking but there were many other factors such as Dillon's injury, 2 rookies on the left side, and a new OC. That doesn't mean I'm complaining about the rookies or the OC, I'm just saying that I think Hochstein and Gorin did a decent job in light of all the inconsistencies and if they are our backups this year, I will feel good about that.