2011 #4 center; 2012 #4 RG - New England Patriots Forums

***mgteich*** · 09-16-2012, 10:17 PM

Last year, we were reduced to having our #4 center starting.

Now, in the 2nd game, we were reduced to having our #4 RG starting.

WATERS hasn't shown up.
CONNOLLY was out injured.
CANNON, who moved over to RG last week when Connolly was hurt, was needed at RT.
And then there was THOMAS, who might not have made the team if Waters were here.
Some would even put THOMAS 5th behind MCDONALD who is also injured.

In the end, we will be fine when Connolly and Vollmer healthy. Obviously we would be even better with Waters back AND Connolly and Vollmer were healthy.

***MoLewisrocks*** · 09-16-2012, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgteich

Last year, we were reduced to having our #4 center starting.

Now, in the 2nd game, we were reduced to having our #4 RG starting.

WATERS hasn't shown up.
CONNOLLY was out injured.
CANNON, who moved over to RG last week when Connolly was hurt, was needed at RT.
And then there was THOMAS, who might not have made the team if Waters were here.
Some would even put THOMAS 5th behind MCDONALD who is also injured.

In the end, we will be fine when Connolly and Vollmer healthy. Obviously we would be even better with Waters back AND Connolly and Vollmer were healthy.

Last year we had #1's starting at RT, RG, LG, LT. Big difference. I'm not sure Vollmer will ever be fully healthy again. Connolly went from playing C well to playing concussed RG. Who exactly is our C? To me this is like the WR debaucle. We've weakened almost the entire line over not beinging Waters back. And in order to somehow make Welker replaceable and feature a ST'er we've weakened the entire offense to the point it's toast when a TE goes down.

woolster22 · 09-16-2012, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgteich

Last year, we were reduced to having our #4 center starting.

Now, in the 2nd game, we were reduced to having our #4 RG starting.

WATERS hasn't shown up.
CONNOLLY was out injured.
CANNON, who moved over to RG last week when Connolly was hurt, was needed at RT.
And then there was THOMAS, who might not have made the team if Waters were here.
Some would even put THOMAS 5th behind MCDONALD who is also injured.

In the end, we will be fine when Connolly and Vollmer healthy. Obviously we would be even better with Waters back AND Connolly and Vollmer were healthy.

I like the fact that Thomas is getting some true game action. Looked like he had potential in preseason (a poor man's waters perhaps), especially in the run game. Was too pissed off at the offense in general today to pay much attention. Going to watch the Philly game and see what's up with Baltimore, I'll get to this afternoon's abortion later. Will be interesting to see where the problems were. I seemed to notice homocutme getting abused in the run game consistently. Don't remember much else aside from a feeling we would spit the bit after the pick and losing ahern.

This defense is going to start turning some heads. This could go down as the best pats d in quite some time when it is all said and done...rivaling the 03/04 ...

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ATippett56 · 09-16-2012, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoLewisrocks

Last year we had #1's starting at RT, RG, LG, LT. Big difference. I'm not sure Vollmer will ever be fully healthy again. Connolly went from playing C well to playing concussed RG. Who exactly is our C? To me this is like the WR debaucle. We've weakened almost the entire line over not bringing Waters back.

The offensive line sure looks like toast with Thomas at right guard and Cannon at right tackle.

Triumph · 09-16-2012, 11:56 PM

Vollmer is never healthy.

woolster22 · 09-16-2012, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATippett56

The offensive line sure looks like toast with Thomas at right guard and Cannon at right tackle.

I think this is more an effect of cannon than Thomas. Cannon had looked shaky continuously. When I have been able to check our Thomas he does seem to be doing alright. I didn't really pay close enough attention today, hopefully I'll have the game up to diagnose the line tomorrow.

ATippett56 · 09-17-2012, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woolster22

When I have been able to check our Thomas he does seem to be doing alright. I didn't really pay close enough attention today, hopefully I'll have the game up to diagnose the line tomorrow.

Donald Thomas was abused by the Arizona Cardinals defensive line.

ATippett56 · 09-17-2012, 12:45 AM

3 up, 3 down for the Patriots - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Quote:

Sep 16 4:50PM ET By Mike Reiss | ESPNBoston.com

Down

Marcus Cannon/Donald Thomas/pass protection -- The right side of the line (Thomas at right guard, Cannon at right tackle) has a mix-up on a combination block that leads to a sack of Tom Brady and has some other struggles, as Brady never truly finds his comfort zone.

***BradyFTW!*** · 09-17-2012, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATippett56

Donald Thomas was abused by the Arizona Cardinals defensive line.

That was my #1 takeaway from the game - Thomas played an absolutely terrible game.

Big-T · 09-17-2012, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triumph

Vollmer is never healthy.

Really?

2009: 14 games (8 starts)
2010: 16 games (16 starts)
2011: 6 games (5 starts)

36/48 games he's played in with only last year where he's missed significant time.