JoeSixPat

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/column...pat&id=3248965

None of this will come as a surprise to the long time Patriots observers here, but it looks like the rest of the NFL is catching onto the fact that our OL is vulnerable to speed rushers.

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patsgo

name an offensive line that isnt

BradyManny

That's why I'm starting to hope for Clady in the draft. Shore up the OL. We've seen that if Brady has time, they simply can't lose.

This OL has gotten a little too much credit for Brady's ability to avoid sacks by maneuvering within the pocket and getting rid of the ball quickly. They are an above average group made better by Tom, but there is room for upgrade.

Fill the holes on defense via free agency and 2nd round on. First round presents an opportunity to upgrade the OL in the present and for the future.

Rob0729

The thing is that I disagree with the article. It wasn't the speed at DE that hurt the Pats as much in the Super Bowl, but the pressure up the middle. If the Pats were able to contain Justin Tuck, I think Brady would have been able to allude Umineyra and Strahan like he has done with a lot of speed rushers. Brady can allude speed rushers a lot of the time by stepping up in the pocket, but if the pocket is collapsed there is nothing Brady can do.

bruschimania

It's times like this that I really miss Daniel Graham. He was a tank at TE that could help take some of the faster rushers out of the game.

upstater1

In also agree it was the problems up the middle. People have been running outside of Light and Kaczur for ages. And missing them when Brady steps up in the pocket. What happens when Brady doesn't step up in the pocket? Super Bowl loss.

BradyManny

That's a really great and accurate point.

It's very discouraging to take a look at Unorginal's awesome OL breakdown and see that Mankins - well, like everybody else on the line that night - simply couldn't handle Tuck.

I'm guessing if Brady's ankle had been better, they would've rolled him out a few more times like they did on that bomb to Moss on the last drive that they almost connected.

But still - the easiest way to upgrade this OL is to draft Long or Clady. Since Long probably won't be available, it's Clady. I think your point is accurate, but I still think they have to draft a tackle - and early - if they're looking to upgrade the OL.

JR4

The Oline does needs something but at this point I'm not sure what it is.
Why did Mankins have such a bad day? Is it something that can be
corrected? The Oline does well the whole year ... has a few problems
but in the superbowl just comes apart? Why?

Is Giants pass rush just that good ... so much better that rest of league?

If PATs /Giants palyed again today with same players ... would the Oline
have as much problem?

It would a waste to use a high draft pick on an Oline guy if corrections
can be made to fix a problem. PATs have a good Oline.

BPF

I agree 100% here. Great point, because a QB can step up to avoid outside rushers and your OT's can push them behind the play but outside pressure coupled with up the middle pressure is a deadly combo.

BradyManny

I disagree - I don't think it would be a waste to draft a potential franchise tackle, upgrade the rightside and plan for life after Light (signed through 2010) in the process. But I agree with your sentiments on the whole - I've bolded the thought you had which has crossed my mind many times as well. Is the Giants DL just that good? I don't know the answer.