ARE YOU NEW HERE? NOT LOGGED IN? PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO REGISTER FOR AN ACCOUNT AND LOGIN TO REMOVE THIS WINDOW
Welcome to PatsFans.com. Do you have an account? If not - please take a moment to register for our forum and experience a much smoother experience with fewer ads, along with no longer having to see this notification window. Also learn about how you can receive a free Patriots T-Shirt from the Patriots Official ProShop by CLICKING HERE. Please enjoy your stay here, and Go Pats!
I think that there will still be some tweaks (a RB/FB upgrade wold be nice and we could use a WR). And, yes, the roster will continue to change at the bottom, especially based on injuries. However, I think that this is a roster structure that works.
OFFENSE (25) 1 OL, 1-2 RB, and 1 TE would usually be inactive
QB (2)
WR (6) with one to come for insurance against injury
TE (4) no need to comment
RB/FB (5) the bottom 2 might be upgraded at any time
OL (8) all are able to start (we would carry 9 if we could find a backup OT)
This is a PASSING team. In this roster structure, we will have 5 WR active (plus Slater). We will have 3 TE's. We will have running backs who can catch the dump off and screen. There will be lots of passing. The receiving options and backups have been upgraded.
The OL has taken a hit. However, we drafted Solder to replace Light. He started some last year and did well. He will now play with the starting OL. He'll be fine. Obviously, Connolly is not as good as Waters at OG, but he is a seasoned starter. Wendell and McDonald both started last year at center and did fine. We don't talk much about Thomas, but he is a solid OG. The BIGGEST question mark is Vollmer's health. If he is healthy, we will have a very solid line.
BOTTOM LINE
I think that improvements at WR and TE will balance out the reduction in OL talent. We will again have one of the 3 best offenses in the league. The difference this year will be more runs, more screens, a better short yardage offense, and a team able to eat up clock with both the pass and the run.
FEATURED ADVERTISEMENT
DONATE TO PATSFANS.COM
RECEIVE A FREE PATS T-SHIRT AND SAVE 15% OFF WHEN YOU BUY FROM THE OFFICIAL PROSHOP!
Free T-Shirt & Save 15% Off!
Like Our Site? Please help support our site and server costs by DONATING TO PATSFANS.COM and receive a FREE PATRIOTS T-SHIRT and SAVE 15% off EVERY purchase you make from PatriotsProShop.com. You'll also receive added benefits to your account including Removing All Ads During Your Experience Here At Our Forum.
NEEDED YEARLY SITE DONATIONS: 345 | CURRENT # OF SUBSCRIBED SUPPORTERS: 98
I think the Oline will be fine (though \I prefer them peaking during the playoffs). But, any downgrade in performance affects all the offense (passing and running).
If the o line is suspect is it more in the pass or run blocking. Personally, I'd like to see brady take fewer than 25 sacks...less even better. Let's bring back the screen and RB checkdown.
__________________
Don't let a small thing like Facts get in the way of a good opinion.
Last edited by RelocatedPatFan; 09-05-2012 at 12:17 PM..
Question for the masses. Is it possible Brian Waters become overrated last year?
Prior to the 2011 season the Chiefs flat out cut the guy and now Mike Lombardi is calling him a "Blue Chip" Guard. So you're saying the Scott Pioli cut a "Blue Chip"/Elite Guard? Seems very hard for me to believe.
Question for the masses. Is it possible Brian Waters become overrated last year?
Prior to the 2011 season the Chiefs flat out cut the guy and now Mike Lombardi is calling him a "Blue Chip" Guard. So you're saying the Scott Pioli cut a "Blue Chip"/Elite Guard? Seems very hard for me to believe.
I think he was cut due to age and salary, not because he sucked.
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
BOTTOM LINE
I think that improvements at WR and TE will balance out the reduction in OL talent. We will again have one of the 3 best offenses in the league. The difference this year will be more runs, more screens, a better short yardage offense, and a team able to eat up clock with both the pass and the run.
Improvements at wide receiver: Lloyd >>>> Ochocinco, Salas >>>> Price/Underwood - Check
Improvement at tight end depth: Fells, Hoomanawanui - Check
Improvement at running back depth: Bolden, Hilliard - Check
Wide receiver depth remains a concern.
Offensive line remains a question mark with presumably Wendell at center, Connolly at right guard, Vollmer (back issues) at right tackle versus last season's starting offensive line. Depth at offensive tackle remains a concern.
__________________
The End of the Chad Ochostinko Era!
Question for the masses. Is it possible Brian Waters become overrated last year?
Prior to the 2011 season the Chiefs flat out cut the guy and now Mike Lombardi is calling him a "Blue Chip" Guard. So you're saying the Scott Pioli cut a "Blue Chip"/Elite Guard? Seems very hard for me to believe.
Waters had an astronomical season for a player his age last year, and his absence will hurt us, especially earlier in the season. However, I personally think that a lot of hysteria about our O-line has to due less with Waters not being here, and more to do with all the questions about Mankins and Vollmer's health, along with Solder's inexperience. The question I have for posters on this board is this, "If Mankins has a perfect comeback and Solder pans out by the end of the year, how worried should we be? Can we win a SB without Waters and with Vollmer's chronic back issues?"
Improvements at wide receiver: Lloyd >>>> Ochocinco, Salas >>>> Price/Underwood - Check
Improvement at tight end depth: Fells, Hoomanawanui - Check
Improvement at running back depth: Bolden, Hilliard - Check
Wide receiver depth remains a concern.
Offensive line remains a question mark with presumably Wendell at center, Connolly at right guard, Vollmer (back issues) at right tackle versus last season's starting offensive line. Depth at offensive tackle remains a concern.
How do you know salas is better than underwood or price for that matter?
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.