bucky

I'm not too worried. The gap between Connolly and Wendell is very small. Koppen can always be brought back. Cannon or Light could be moved to Guard. And of course there will be some very good G/C available in the 20-50 range of the draft.

As far as I'm concerned, Defense is the #1 and #2 priority this offseason.

supafly

I think the odds are pretty good that at least one or the other will be back, if not both.

And if we just get one (Connelly or Waters) then we'll move on and plug someone like Cannon into the starting role. We've all seen it before, so anything's certainly possible, but I would think that at least one of the two will be here for sure.

Good thought for a thread though, it is somewhat overlooked.

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Patiently waiting to defend the next "bubble" player in this summer's training camp.....

Schmo

I really think we will add some interior OL in the draft. Everyone wants the running game to be better... turns out that the RB isn't the only one who has control over it. IMO Connolly is indispensable. It was a big loss when Hochstein left and now we are lucky to have another versatile interior guy who will start every game for the second half of every season.

jsull87

I honestly believe that if these 2 are back then we leave out OL unchanged. our line will be:

Light ---Mankins--- Koppen ---Waters--- Vollmer
Swing tackle will be the very talented Solder, Tackle/Guard Cannon, Guard/ Centre Connoly, Guard/Centre Wedell.

A more solid OL rotation i don't think i have ever seen. Solder would start on most other teams if not all other teams, Cannon is a very good guard prospect and a solid RT, Connely proved he can start in this league and Wedell is a serviceable rotational guy.

These 2 stay and i don't think we add a single draft pick to the OL other than maybe a FA to compete with Macdonald and Ornberger.

Elijah T.

I really, really, hope both of those guys come back.

Brian Waters looked like an All Pro last year...no way he should retire.

VrabelJr

Peter Konz, imo.

ATippett56

If Brian Waters does retire and the New England Patriots do not re-sign Dan Koppen, I could foresee the New England Patriots selecting a center in the second (63rd overall) round or the third (95th overall) round.

Second Round (63rd overall) - Ben Jones, Georgia
Third Round (95th overall) - Michael Brewster, Ohio State

2012_C NFL Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

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The End of the Chad Ochostinko Era!

part-timer

I have high hopes for the future of the OL rotation with Volmer takeing over at LT and Soldier setteling in at RT and Light Rotateing in for his final year and spelling Soldier when he rotates out to TE. Mankins at LG and Waters and Cannon in competition for the RG spot with the lesser rotating in to either possition when needed. Lastly Connoly hopefully will be in competion at the center spot with an anticipated draft pick (possibly Brewster picked in the 3rd) with the lesser setteling into a rotation at C/G. This will leave one spot left to compete for as backup, possible T/G for the future Loss due to retireing of Light or Waters. I have no reservations as to the quality of the play with the above OL rotation possibilities. Unfortunately for Wendle he may be the odd man out, and I feel Koppen has seen his better days pass behind him. This line should be solid for the remainder of TB's career.

andrewgarrr

I think both of them get resigned in March or early April so the team has more flexibility come draft time. Hopefully they make a decision on some of the big WR free agents by then too.

PATSNUTme

I hope that Waters comes back. If he doesn't Marcus Cannon should be the RG of the future. I also hope the both Koppen and Connolly come back.

If they don't then yes I think targeting Ben Jones in the 2nd round would be smart. I have not looked at the FA's in the center/guard postions but picking up one would be wise if neither comes back.

But I realy think that Koppen will be back, I would not want to enter the season with Wendell as starting center. He is a good back up but not starting material as the #1 center.