AndyJohnson

We will not lose because of a defense that Bill Belechick had enough confidence in to not add a lot of players to.
The offense is full of skill position players.

The key to the 2006 Pats is going to be the OL.
The will either succeed or fail in:
1) Protecting Brady. Brady will be great regardless of how much protection he has, but the easier the OL makes it for him, the more the pieces all come together for a Championship season
2) Allow a controlling running game. If we can run when we want to and control the clock, opportunities open up for Brady with big plays, and the defenses job become easier. The D is going to be good, but if we cant run the ball, they will be under pressure. If we ease the pressure on the D by playing from ahead and controlling filed position and clock, it can be an excellent D.

I'm pretty confident in the OL, but as clearly as secondary injuries hurt us last year, I think the OL ones were devastating too.
To me, an OL that takes th enext natural step of development (i.e. Mankins, Kaczur and the depth progressing as expected) and stays healthy equals a very good shot at a Patriot Championship.

oldrover

Where is Light in his rehab? And Koppen, for that matter?

JoeSixPat

I agree wholeheartedly - between the patchwork OL (which generally did a good job protecting Brady) and an injured Dillon our running game had a tough year

With a healthy Dillon and a healthy line - and a few more receiving threats (as well as 2 TE sets where a TE isn't held in to block) our offense takes on a VERY different look that is gonna give Defensive Coordinators fits!

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mavfan2390

Very true, we're now a pick your poison team.

Brady
Watson
Graham
Branch
Jackson
Dillon
Maroney

all very capable players (I reserve judgment for Thomas and Mills until later, Jackson, however, I'm sure will be great)

BelichickFan

I've been considering a similar post, just never got around to it. The OL is the one and only key to the season for me, other than monumentally devastating injuries (read : Brady getting hurt).

Do we have possible issues with our #2 WR, #4 LB, not having a true stud CB and also safety depending on Harrison ? Sure. But they're all basically small potatoes and can be worked around if needed. With the best QB in the league, a good group of receivers (combining WR and TE) and two RB who complement each other well, I honestly think the Patriots will be almost unbeatable if the OL plays very well.

Unfortunately, we do have the issues of :

- Will Light be 100% and at full strength.
- Will Koppen be 100% and at full strength.
- Will Neal play better than he did last year.
- Will our RT play better than last year.

dryheat44

I would go on a limb and say the the Offensive Line was the key to 2003, 2004, and 2005, and will be the key in 2007, 2008, 2009, and for however many years Tom Brady is behind center.

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bishbash

You risk-taker, dryheat44!!!

patchick

Assuming for the moment that Light, Mankins and Koppen are set and healthy, the right side of the line could get interesting. The only veteran right tackle is Gorin, who isn't even a lock to make the team. Nick Kaczur likely has the inside track thanks to the whopping 14 games of playing time behind him. But consider that Kaczur, like Mankins, was widely projected to guard -- and in fact is listed as "G/T" on the Patriots roster. He's versatile enough to back up 4 positions on the line and could give Neal a challenge for the starting RG spot.

Meanwhile Wesley Britt and Ryan O'Callaghan look like pure RTs. O'Callaghan is the classic road grader many here have been yearning for: a massive (6'7" 344), nasty, mauling run blocker, probably the best run-blocking RT in the draft. You don't want to ask him to pull, though. Britt is a towering player whose strengths are his pass-blocking skills and intelligence. He's reported to have borderline quickness for the left side but could be a pass-blocking force at RT. Plus he has a year in the system and Colvin's seal of approval.

Any bets on the game 1 lineup?

braveht

There is an inference that Light and Koppen are ok by the fact that we passed on Justice and Eric Winston, 2 high quality OTs as well as OCs.

BelichickFan

I would definitely bet on :

Light-Mankins-Koppen-Neal-Kaczur

But I agree with what you said about RT, there's 4 guys who I think could be starting there opening day, hopefully it will be a strong competition as opposed to a winner by default.