mgteich

CURRENT STATUS
We had a top 5 offense last year. We now have a healthy Brady, have added weapons to the passing game and blocking to the running game. The offense we saw Thursday looked great. And we still get to add Welker, Faulk, Holt and Taylor.

DECISIONS TO MAKE
Personally, I think that we still have a couple of roster spots to decide: 4th RB (Morris/Green_Ellis) and 9th OL (Wendell, Larsen, Chiaciuc). As of now, I think that we keep Holt AND Aiken. Obviously, Belichick has to be satisfied that Holt still has something left in the tank. The alternative for the 25th offensive roster spot (instead of Holt) would be to keep a 5th RB as we did last year.

BIGGEST POSSIBLE ADDITION
Obviously, it would be great if Mankins is signed. Otherwise, I don't see that we need addtions. We could add an OG, OT and/or a RB. There is certainly room for upgrades there.

KontradictioN

Faulk played Thursday night.

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AndyJohnson

I think there are a lot of decisions to make. I see a big group of guys in the mix for 7th-10th OL, and I dont think any have been decided. The WR issue, and its contribution to special teams will be a difficult decision, and whether or not to keep 5 RBs probably hinges on that.
But I don't think those decisions have much of an impact on how good we will be on offense, they just fill in the depth.

mgteich

I agree with your analysis. We just differ on the characterization. I don't think that there are lots of decisions. As you said, we are primarily talking about depth. The decisions could easily be made today, and it wouldn't make much difference on way or the other.

OFFENSIVE LINE
I agree that anything could still happen, but Ohrnberger and Bussey seem to have inside tracks to roster spots at this point. The last spot is still out there.

7th WR or 5th RB
I just don't understand the issue. Last year we carried 5 running backs and two tight ends, and didn't use the 5th RB. I see no reason to carry a 5th RB. Green-Ellis could beat out Morris, or not. I also don't see us dumping Holt, until at least the bye week.

DarrylS

With the additional additions of Tate and Price at WR, and a full compliment of what looks like a very strong corps of TE's this O could be better than we have seen in a while.

The ST's are in their second year of Scott O'Brien, very intriguing punt and kick returners and coupled with the Mesko addition will help with field position..

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"Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.

convertedpatsfan

The OL could use Mankins, especially with Kaczur's injury. Starting the season with your third-string LG is a bit scary, though Connelly's played well so far. The second-string OL was awful, so we could use some more depth.

The passing options are much-improved over last season, especially with Welker's miracle recovery. And I'm really glad BB taught O'Brien about these big guys called tight ends that are allowed to catch passes too. I'm hoping they'll bring another element to the offense and also open up some holes in the running game for Maroney.

Brady should be better than last season, but a lot of our success on offense will be determined by O'Brien's maturity as a play-caller in his second season. Less spread, more running and play-action would be a good start. Less of that damn draw with Kevin Faulk on third and long would be nice too. I actually expect O'Brien to be the biggest variable on offense, and I expect he'll do much better.

patsox23

Obrien did fine last year. The ol and injuries to wr made his job difficult. As for BB "teaching" him to use the TE, if that position wasn't emphasized enough last year, it's Belichick's fault more than anyone. He's the boss.

spacecrime

That's because he is second string, not third. All the mediots are talking third string, but last year Connoly was the primary backup and G/C.

Nothing changed. Kaczur was inserted at G not because he was the primary backup, but because BB needed to get Vollmer on the field, and Kaczur should have made a good OG. Just because he might have been a better OG than Connelly doesn't make Connelly third string. Matt Light and Koppen probably would make excellent guards. If BB put them there for a day, would Connelly suddenly become fifth string?

Connelly is a good backup. He was last year and he will be this year.

Besides, we are talking OG here, not LT or DE or any other position where a player can take over a game. When was the last time a guard was superbowl MVP?

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“When we look at the board, based on everything we want in a football player at that particular time, we evaluate them and take the player that fits best for our football team. That’s what we always do, and I think the last nine years we’ve put a pretty competitive team out there on the field every year. I think that’s how you do it – you get good football players. Sometimes they are not always at the No. 1 position, but I don’t think you pass up good football players to get the guys who aren’t as good just because they’re at a position that somebody feels you need.”
BB on his draft philosophy, April 2010

AzPatsFan

Now that that the pass rusuh situation is clarified wiht two starters and two expereinced reserves and a premium draft pick, Cassandra-like fans are turning to the Offensive line as a source of angst.

Losing Kaczur transforms this to a potential opportunity, since it will force at least one newcomer to play. I find it unlikely that Mankins really accepts advice to sit for two years with out a dime, merely to make a point. I can't believe he thinks he could recoup the lost $14 -15 million dollars elsewhere, in any new contract scenario.

It is obvious off the single preseason game, that this year's late offensive line picks need a few years of PS grooming, so the realistic possibilities are Connelly, Ohrnberger and perhaps the unsung Bussey, who is my wildcard. Every team in the AFCE has O line problems, with everyone having WORSE problems.

But it also seems obvious that this upcoming draft will likely be a dull one from fans perspectives as it will be a meat-and-potatoes draft devoted to linemen on both sides of ther ball.

WhiZa

I'd rather keep Lawfirm over Holt. It does not look like Holt will be taking over the #3 WR like we all assumed. In that case, BJGE adds more value on STs then Holt does. Also looking into the future it will be easier to resign BJGE next year if we keep him this year. Holt also makes more money, if that means anything to the Pats in a uncapped year.

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