Based on the Pats' free agency so far..... - Page 4 - New England Patriots Forums

supafly · 03-18-2012, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob0729

If the Pats draft a lineman in the first round, it is likely to be a d-lineman whether they stay put, trade up, or trade down.

I agree that at one of the 1st rd picks should be on the D-line, where there seem to be many good choices available. I am guessing a DT myself.

However, BB likely has a much better read on the future of Waters; and we can all probably assume that Light is gone, at least judging from the reports. Therefore, a OL pick in the early 2 rounds is not out of the question; especially an interior Offensive lineman.

***mgteich*** · 03-18-2012, 11:46 PM

OT
If Light is gone, we could use a developmental OT to train for a year. I am not counting on Vollmer past 2012, his contract year. Our future at OT is Solder and Cannon.

OG/C
If Waters is staying (and there is no reason to think otherwise), then we have our starters. Other than Konz, I don't see us drafting an OL in the first 3 rounds. Anyone than a center better than Wendell in 2012 would end up being inactive each week.
This may be the year of the guard, but we are full up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by supafly

I agree that at one of the 1st rd picks should be on the D-line, where there seem to be many good choices available. I am guessing a DT myself.

However, BB likely has a much better read on the future of Waters; and we can all probably assume that Light is gone, at least judging from the reports. Therefore, a OL pick in the early 2 rounds is not out of the question; especially an interior Offensive lineman.

supafly · 03-18-2012, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgteich

OT
If Light is gone, we could use a developmental OT to train for a year. I am not counting on Vollmer past 2012, his contract year. Our future at OT is Solder and Cannon.

OG/C
If Waters is staying (and there is no reason to think otherwise), then we have our starters. Other than Konz, I don't see us drafting an OL in the first 3 rounds. Anyone than a center better than Wendell in 2012 would end up being inactive each week.
This may be the year of the guard, but we are full up.

Agreed. My only point was that BB likely knows the status of Waters, Light, and Koppen much better than we do. I don't think an O-lineman is anywhere near a necessity, but we've certainly seen stranger things. I feel as though there are only so many positions that need addressed this draft, and if the right guy falls (like Konz, or a later C--which would probably be more likely) I wouldn't put it past BB to take to value and build towards the future. After all, he was building towards the future last yr, knowing that many would be inactive--and we didn't even have a FA period yet. I haven't seen much to change that thinking, especially with FA first this yr.

I think it's somewhat debatable as far as Cannon being a tackle, but the early signs certainly seem to point to that. If that's the case, then we're pretty much set with Vollmer, Cannon, and Solder; for 2012 anyway.

supafly · 03-18-2012, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgteich

OT
If Light is gone, we could use a developmental OT to train for a year. I am not counting on Vollmer past 2012, his contract year.

I think this comment is debatable too, mg.

After all, it's not like Belichick to hang onto a guy for the majority of the season, tying up a roster spot in the process. The only other real example I can think of was Wright, who missed the last 6-7 games in 2010; but the concussion symptoms may have thrown them off a bit in their judgement. I suppose the same could be argued for a back injury too though.

BB's reasoning was "how good Vollmer is."

It's hard to speculate about Vollmer's availability beyond 2012, but I'd have to guess that he is more likely to stay.