PATRIOTSFANINPA

Speaking of offensive lineman I also want to tip my hat to Ryan Wendell who was also a fantastic addition and did play center when Connolly got injured....while Wendell does not have the talent that a guy like Connolly has,I am glad to have him as a backup player who just like Dan,can play just about anywhere on the line.

This team may not have the best OL starting lineup in the league but they certainly have the deepest talent of OL depth in the entire league and I don't think its even a question.

leehanu

Who can forget Connolly's great return skills as well as Vince Wilfork's interception skills.

mgteich

We usually have 4 roster spots for OT's. This year's four are Solder, Vollmer, Cannon and Gallery. Gallery may start at LG, but it seems convenient to list him as an OT for roster development purposes.

Kasmir

I graded Connolly better at guard in 2010 than at center in 2011. He was really pretty good as a pulling guard and was involved in a lot of key 2nd level blocks. His mobility was less valauable at center and his tendency to get overpowered at times was visible both years.

I started paying attention to Connolly in 2010 because he-who-does-want-to-be-called-out was so bizarrely repeatedly trashing him (probably to help make the case that the Patriots desperately needed Mankins). That disrespect then picked up by the mob here and he acquired the bad rep on this board.

I watched him in replay on every play that season. What I saw was a decent starting guard. He was excellent in space but sometimes could be overpowered. Ironically, I thought he wasn't quite as impressive at center last year, but was still a more than adequate replacement for Koppen, who I think has been overrated.

I think Connolly's actually a very similar player to Koppen as a center, but his greater mobility makes him a more versatile and valuable player. It's a real stretch to call him "elite", and that's more because the league-wide competition as center is much weaker than at guard -- center is probably the least important player on the OL.

captain stone

Nick McDonald will be better than Wendell ever hoped of being. Mac is bigger, stronger, and
more athletic. I'm glad to see Bill finally move away from the midget, arena league talent
of Richie OBurger, Billy Yates & (I hope) Ryan Wendell. I also hope that Donald Thomas makes
the team ahead of Wendell, whose only chance of making it should be if Mankins is PUPed
and Waters retires.

__________________
Question Authority.

Raymond

Nail head hammer.

bagwell368

x2 McDonald is going to beat out Wendell.

Koppen has been getting mashed by powerful NT's for a few years, he's a fallback IMO. That was a tough

Sorry, I like Connolly's versatility, but he too gets munged by tough bull rushers.

I'm hoping for a better Center to start next year.