signbabybrady

I find it curious That he has not played center at all thru camp and 2 preseason games.

Not really sure exactly if it is enough to read into but what the heck lets do it anyway.

Possibilities?

1) Koppen will be the starting center again. He will play RG until Waters comes back then will be the key back up interior linemen.

2) Wendell will be the starting center. He will play RG until Waters comes back then will be the key back up interior linemen.

3) Waters might not be coming back and Connolly will be your starting RG with either Koppen or Wendell at center.

4)Connolly will be the starting center but as Koppen only backs up Center he is getting work at guard because if a guard goes down he will slide over and Koppen will be the center. This would seem odd as why not work at both.

-discuss amongst yourself-

__________________

Rob0729

Probably because Belichick wants to give other players a shot to compete for the back up at the center position. Greg Bedard said on Twitter last night that Waters' locker is still in tact (doubtful if he was holding out). So I think he will be back.

deters

I choose possibility #1.

DarrylS

I think Waters will be back this week.. the grind of TC is just about over.

__________________
"Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.

KontradictioN

Waters will be coming back, they need Cannon at RT more than RG right now, and Connolly will be competing for the starting C spot with Koppen again in coaches meetings prior to Week 1.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


CREDIT - Sicilian

betterthanthealternative

I wouldn't assume that the coach knows the final result at this point. Perhaps the competition for center is still legitimately being waged? Perhaps the coach is letting it play out by giving a legitimate shot to people he's less sure about? Perhaps he's unsure of how good Koppen can be at this stage, and perhaps Wendell is making a real push?

The Scrizz

Option 1 is absurd as he is clearly better than Koppen. You don't have a better player as the backup just because he's versatile. You take advantage of that versatility if injury or circumstance demands. You don't sit him just in case.

Option 2, same option different player.

Option 3, logical IF Waters does not come back.

Option 4, Koppen and Connolly are both running with the ones so if Connolly slides to C, Koppen slides.... where exactly?

So let's use Occam's Razor for option 5: Connolly is the best right guard on the roster right now, hence you put him at right guard. And while he is also the best C as well, there are currently more options there than at guard.

__________________
I was like, ‘Dang! Um, Mr. Brady, can we line up?’ He didn’t care. He was like, ‘You’re not going to line up.’ When we turned around one time I checked back around and my hand was going to the grass and they were like, ‘Hut!’ And I said, ‘Noooooooooooo!’

deters

Could Connolly fill in for Mankins as well until he is healthy and ready to go?

Solder - Connolly - Koppen - Waters - Vollmer

Then when Mankins returns to game shape Connolly takes starting C roll and Koppen is backup.

Solder - Mankins - Connolly - Waters - Vollmer

Big-T

Because he's the best guard available (2nd now Mankins is back) and there's 3 more C's on the roster who have all shown they are good enough to start in the NFL so Connolly at Guard produces the strongest line available?

If Mankins plays against Tampa I wouldn't be shocked if the line is:
Solder-Mankins-Connolly-Thomas-Vollmer

PATSNUTme

I love the way that the media and some fans are ready to throw dirt on Dan Koppen's grave. He is just returning from a season ending injury. He has been a solid center (underrated IMO) for several years.

He needs to get himself back to playing condition and may also be a little hampered by the effects of the injury; I'm not ready to give up on him.

Wendell has also played well. Without Waters in camp, Connolly is the best option at RG.