ATippett56

If Brian Waters returns to the New England Patriots, I foresee the final offensive line roster battle as Wendell versus Koppen. Wendell is too undersized for my taste to be an effective offensive guard.

Starters
Solder
Mankins
Koppen/Wendell
Waters
Vollmer

Backups
Cannon
Connelly
McDonald
Thomas

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The End of the Chad Ochostinko Era!

patsfan13

If Waters is back Connolly will be the starting center IMO. Last year I thought he was better than Koppen.

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"Some guys play in all-star games, some guys don't. I don't know who picks all those all-star teams. In all honesty, I don't know who picks the combine, for that matter," Belichick said. "How does (Miami-Ohio offensive lineman Brandon) Brooks not get invited to the combine? How did Vollmer not get invited to the combine? I don't know. We can't really worry about that. We just have to try to evaluate them the best we can."

Armchair Quarterback

With Koppen and Cannon backing up Solder-Mankins-Connolly-Water-Vollmer as you mentioned what happens if say Vollmer's back gives out and Cannon gets hurt? You'd probably have to move Mankins from LG to RT, Connolly from C to LG, put Koppen in at C. They might possibly even move Mankins to LT with Solder going to RT (I doubt it but both have played those positions).

You'd now have a minimum of 3 starting positions compromised.

You could go that route or you could put McDonald in at RT (who could back up at all 5) and keep Solder, Mankins, Connolly and Waters at their natural starting position. Which one is more preferable? It's precisely why they want positional flexibility.

supafly

Like you and everyone else, I am excited and happy for the versatility of Nick McDonald. There are a couple of problems however.

1. He's hurt and expected to miss 2-3 games into the regular season at the least. That could change the picture, so could any return of Brian Waters. We've talked before about needing Connelly at RG if Waters doesn't return, and that would likely be the plan.

2. Although McDonald certainly has the capability of playing tackle, he didn't look too hot at it from what I understand, although I would expect him to make more strides on the outside as his reps and practices progressed. I think he was pretty used to being an interior guy here.

There are several variables still, as there have been all summer regarding the offensive line and its combinations. The McDonald injury probably adds yet another variable to the situation.

My personal opinion is still that Koppen makes it, but it's very much up in the air still. We've had some good conversations about this subject. We'll have to see how it plays out.

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

supafly

Even worse, what happens if Cannon actually has to play?

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

Armchair Quarterback

I don't know if anyone other than the team knows the significance of the injury.

It's not excitement over McDonald's versatility, it's just common sense. The level of play being fairly equal, a player who can back up at 5 positions is infinitely more valuable than one who can play only one. I think the center job is Connolly's whether Waters returns or not. If Waters doesn't return I see Thomas as the RG.

McDonald played well enough where he could project to fill in in a emergency situation if he was needed to, as in the example where the 2nd and 3rd tackle go down in a game. Again, it would be preferable to moving at least two other starters to another position to accommodate the backup center.

I could be wrong but I just don't know if his level of play at this point justifies a starting position or roster spot over younger and more versatile players.

ATippett56

Are you a season ticket holder?

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The End of the Chad Ochostinko Era!

Armchair Quarterback

Yeah that would be a problem. Here's to hoping Vollmer's back holds up.

supafly

Unfortunately I am not, Tip.

Why do you ask?

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

Metaphors

Your scenario is that 2 of the 3 active OTs are hurt. At that point, you only have 5 lineman active so there is little choice on who is playing. As for where they play, that is less important than having the best 5 on the field. No team is going to look pretty with 2 OTs hurt in the same game.

My point was that position flexibility involves the starters as well as the backups. There is no difference between having a starter that can play C/OG or a backup that can play C/OG. Either can shift if needed.

If McDonald is top 4 on the interior line depth chart, he should be active. If he isn't, having the ability to slide to OT doesn't move him up that depth chart. If Koppen is top 4 on the interior line depth chart, he should be active. ..regardless of position inflexibility. You need position flexibility to have an effective group of linemen. You just don't need flexibility at EVERY position to make it work.