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Koppen started all 16 games and was the trigger-man on 310 shotgun snaps that resulted in a pass attempt, the eighth highest total in the NFL. Koppen didn’t have a botched shotgun snap this season, a key stat because of how often the Patriots use the shotgun.
Logan Mankins is likely to receive the franchise tag and Neal, who is scheduled to earn $3 million, is unlikely to be back at that high figure.
Storyline not to be overlooked: Potential big changes at center and guard. Mankins and Neal represented the top of the depth chart at guard. Meanwhile, Koppen enters the final year of his contract, so grooming a potential replacement at center could be on the team’s radar.
Future: Guard is arguably most wide open position on the roster and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Patriots address it with an early draft pick because of the uncertainty of Mankins’ situation. Connolly is a Russ Hochstein-type option that winning teams need to have; he’s signed through 2011. Wendell, Ohrnberger and Austin have all came up through the pipeline and will be given a chance to emerge.
Final thought: There are plenty of examples of draft picks stepping right in and making an impact at center and guard -- Maurkice Pouncey (No. 18, Steelers, 2010), Alex Mack (No. 21, Browns, 2009), Ben Grubbs (No. 29, Ravens, 2007), Nick Mangold (No. 29, Jets, 2006) and Chris Snee (No. 34, Giants, 2004) to name a few – so it’s a realistic expectation for the Patriots to find an immediate starter early in the draft.
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These are the best examples of guards and centers who were nfl ready. I would add "Logan Mankins, No. 32, patriots 2005)
I would also note that ALL these players were picked before the 35th pick in the draft. If we don't have Mankins (and want a top center also), we will be using 2 of our top 3 picks.
Final thought: There are plenty of examples of draft picks stepping right in and making an impact at center and guard -- Maurkice Pouncey (No. 18, Steelers, 2010), Alex Mack (No. 21, Browns, 2009), Ben Grubbs (No. 29, Ravens, 2007), Nick Mangold (No. 29, Jets, 2006) and Chris Snee (No. 34, Giants, 2004) to name a few – so it’s a realistic expectation for the Patriots to find an immediate starter early in the draft.
Let's be clear. This is a mess. We will likely need THREE rookie to bring in and start over the next two years. We could need 3 this year.
VOLLMER the rock at RT (and maybe at LT)
LIGHT free agent
MANKINS free agent
KOPPEN in the last year of his contract
NEAL we can have him back for a $6M a year ($3M for half a season)
KACZUR we can have him back for $3M a year
CONNOLLY good to have as a backup
WENDELL good to have as a backup
OJINNAKA free agent who is a good backup
I haven't heard anything about Steve Manieri. Has he in fact signed a futures contract with the Pats? Or anyone?
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I would definitely be surprised to see him be the 3rd tackle. That would mean that he is the Game Day backup at LT and RT. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see him as the 4th tackle.
You can't win with Connolly in the AFC playoffs. A major upgrade is needed at the right guard position.
Ludicrous statement right there. Based on what? 1 Playoff game? You're basically saying that Connoly is the reason they lost!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ATippett56
Darius Butler was responsible for the NY Jets slot receiver.
You obviously need to see that play again. The entire team is playing zone, but Spikes is covering LT man to man. Cotchery is wide open in the zone that Spikes should have been occupying. Notice also that Spikes was benched after that series for the rest of the game.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ATippett56
Upgrading the New England Patriots offensive line is one of the highest priorities for the 2011 NFL Season.
So you want to upgrade the most solid unit on the best offense in the NFL. Great for you! I suppose you think that any OL who gives up a sack or misses a block should be upgraded.
32 is not that old for an OL. Jeff Saturday is 35. So is Flozell Adams. Chad Clifton is 34. Kreutz is 33.
Light, Koppen, and Kaczur all have 2 good years left. And as I mentioned earlier, it's a lot easier to find Guards than Linebackers in the draft.
So is it your contention that inside linebacker is of greater priority than the offensive line?
The offensive line, particularly if Mankins leaves, is in dire straits. It's funny that you say Koppen has two good years left; that seems to assume that in the twilight of his career he'll manage a higher level of play than he did this season. I find that proposition unlikely, at best.
Ah yes! The Steelers really exploited those LBs - to the tune of 133 passing yards. And Heath Miller killed them with 2 receptions!
I think a lesson in remedial logic is in order. What you've just written is textbook confirmation bias, and incidentally this has manifested repeatedly in your arguments (Connolly is sufficient because he only had one bad game, Spikes and Guyton should be upgraded because of one bad play, etc.)
Furthermore, perhaps you didn't notice but the Steelers didn't need to pass the ball much because they were having plenty of success running the ball down the throats of the Jets defense. Using your logic, we can conclude that the Jets linebackers are flawed in all facets of the game, because despite run defense being their putative strength, they just couldn't get it done in the AFCCG.
Last edited by JackBauer; 01-31-2011 at 02:06 PM..
Ludicrous statement right there. Based on what? 1 Playoff game? You're basically saying that Connoly is the reason they lost!
Dan Connolly was by far the worst offensive lineman for the New England Patriots in the 2010 AFC Divisional Playoffs. Sean Ellis owned the right side of the New England Patriots offensive line in the first half.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bucky
So you want to upgrade the most solid unit on the best offense in the NFL. Great for you! I suppose you think that any OL who gives up a sack or misses a block should be upgraded.
The New England Patriots offense gave up five sacks to the NY Jets in the 2010 AFC Divisional Playoffs. It's far more important to keep the New England Patriots franchise upright than marginally upgrade the inside linebacker position.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bucky
32 is not that old for an OL. Jeff Saturday is 35. Kreutz is 33.
Saturday and Kreutz were former Pro-Bowlers while Dan Connolly is a stiff. Apples to oranges, there is no comparison between Kreutz, Saturday versus Connolly let alone Nick Kaczur.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bucky
Light, Koppen, and Kaczur all have 2 good years left.
That's pure speculation on your part. Matt Light is an unrestricted free agent while Nick Kaczur is recovering from back surgery. Dan Koppen has been a lightening rod for criticism on the PatfsFans message board this season.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bucky
And as I mentioned earlier, it's a lot easier to find Guards than Linebackers in the draft.
The New England Patriots are committed to rebuilding the defense via the NFL Draft. It's far more important to re-sign Logan Mankins and maintain some continuity on the offensive line while the New England Patriots seriously upgrade the right offensive guard position via the 2011 NFL Draft.
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2011 Offseason Outlook - Offensive Line
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