BelichickFan

Yeah I know. It is important, though, as many here are assuming he tore his ACL :

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/f...ats&position=1

"The (shoulder) surgery went off without a hitch, the source said, and Neal should be ready for the start of training camp. There was no indication that his knee needed to go under the knife."

ne5patsfan4

that is really good news. i was worried about having to replace him for 2008.

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signbabybrady

I kinda thought people were jumping to conclusions on that one. It lookes serious but how many times have you scene a Player return from what looked like a serious injury the following week. Problem here was the injury occurd in the last game so we got no update and people were left to speculate and after the misreble loss came misreable speculation

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p8ryts

Everybody talks about changes on the o line, maybe the most important one is to change the right guard. Neal has trouble staying on the field and contrary to most beliefs I think when our pass protection is the worst its from breakdowns in the middle. I would like to see Callaghan given a shot inside. He might be a step slower pulling but he might be stronger.

Tunescribe

Glad to hear it. He's my favorite offensive lineman. He sure looked seriously injured at the Super Bowl. I was looking through binoculars once he got to the sidelines and he banged his fist on the bench in frustration, knowing he wouldn't get back into the game.

Neal is who makes the running game go; his presence is HUGE for Maroney's sake. His pass blocking is OK. Most of the breakdowns in the Super Bowl occurred after he left.

captain stone

When exactly did Neal leave the game for good? Wasn't it sometime during the 2nd quarter, when the offense had its least success (due also to the bollocks play-calling)?

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MrTibbs

Screw that guy and anything he has to say or write about.

MoLewisrocks

Worrying about Neal's health is becoming part of the landscape. He's missed 11 starts in the last two seasons, after missing his first two full seasons altogether. He's 32 this year. Maybe all those absences impact Kaczur's play too as he is maddeningly inconsistent. A late college bloomer he's also 29 already this year. As are Koppen and Light - which means Mankins will be the only under 30 starter on that line come 2009. I would love to see Bill upgrade the OL talent, which would conversely upgrade the backups dramatically. I would like to see Tom live to play into his late 30's. And I would like to see Maroney get an opportunity to live up to his explosive potential rather than get ground up in his first few seasons trying to be something he isn't behind a line that can't consistently run block or pass block without grinding up TE's in the process.

p8ryts

True and that's the problem stemming from his inability to stay on the field. Hochstein is a decent backup, but he didn't do the job with Neal out. That's why I would like to see O'Callaghan get a shot.

However, I think the left side with Mankins and Light is where the best run blocking takes place.

signbabybrady

Callahan at guard seems crazy he has the typical tackle body and I dont think his frame lends well to the leverages required on the inside or to pulling which is key to the screen and running game.

Neal is one of if not the best pulling guards in the league.

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