mgteich

Many of us would like to consider an OT at 23, 34 or somewhere in between with a trade up.

The question that Box asked earlier is a good one. What do we expect the OT to do? See below for some options as we consider drafting an OT early. BTW, if all we want is an upgrade from O'Callaghan and Britt as a backup, we can wait until at least the third.

LEFT TACKLE
It is only on message boards that Light isn't a top LT. I have seen absolutely nothing to indicated that Belichick is in any way unhappy with Light. We might even consider extending him this year. He has two years left on his contract. Kaczur and LeVoir both adequate backups. We already have a decent prospect in LeVoir. It is not even clear that it is reasonable to use a 3rd for a LT.

RIGHT TACKLE
I like Kaczur as RT and backup LT. However, I can certainly understand that he can be upgraded. I would agree that a top RT who can start would upgrade the OL, especially with Kaczur in this contract year. There is clearly a need for a RT early or in 3rd or 4th. To me, if we want an upgrade at RT, we should draft a RT rather than a rookie who would expect to play RT and then be a LT later. To me, it would be even worse to take a pro-bowl or near pro-bowl LT and play him out of position to accomodate a rookie. That is NOT going to happen unless we were drafting a LT at #3 or #4 in the draft.


MY CONCLUSIONS
Our option will depend on who is left and how much of an upgrade the player is seen to be over Kaczur. After all, we could simply extend Kaczur.

1) Britton at 23 or 34 is fine pick.

2) Beatty will make someone a starting LT, not us (we have one).

3) If we don't draft a RT by 34 so, then we should wait until 89 or 97.

4) If you don't like LeVoir as a prospect AND don't like Kaczur as a backup LT, then we also need to draft backup LT, but understand that this player is at most a Game Day backup at LT and RT.

SWING TACKLE
A backup OT needs to be able to be the emergency backup at both tackle positions, or an injury would require shifting the line at two positions during the game (not terrible if it is practised.

JoeShmoe

I'm on record as saying that for me the number ONE option for the NEP must be to keep Brady upright. If he gets time then we have a good chance of another ring - simple as that

Look at the NYG SB or indeed the first 3 or 4 games last year when we had a few starters on the OL out .. whether Cassel was green or not the OL was porous and we couldn't run either to make up for it

I'm also sure that apart from Mankins then at least 2 or 3 will be up next year

So to me an OT who can immediately challenge Kazcur and replace Light long term would be great (Britton, Beatty or Meredith - or move up to try and get Oher/Smith if they falls) - and of more value to this team than an OLB and S in the first

I would then hope we got a decent OG backup like Unger, Wood, Kruigs etc

patchick

But I think the point of this thread is that those players are very different from one another. E.g. Britton is a pure RT, Beatty a pure LT. There's a stark decision to be made.

Those "decent backups" Unger and Wood are borderline 1st-round picks. So do you want OL at 23 and 34?

CanadianPat'sFan

What about Jamon Meredith, OT, South Carolina at #58 as he is a guy who I think has the versitility to play that swing tackle you talk about. He would then be able to push Kazcur at RT and be a quality backup who would take over eventually. I do agree that Light still has 3-4 good years left and is a quality player to protect Brady's blindside.

WhiZa

To take this question even further, what do we think BB wants an OT to do? IMO he likes LT to be quick and solid to be able to handle those speedy DEs. At RT he likes someone meatier who can just clog up the right side, keep the pocket formed, and let Brady do his job. When people talk about drafting someone to start at RT and then move to LT when Light hits FA, I don't see it. I don't think there are many players out there that would fit BBs idea of a RT and LT all in one.

As far as openings, I think backup LT (Levior) can be upgraded in the 3rd round. RT has 3 players in contract years. The depth is already there. I don't see any draft picks used for a RT until the situation unfolds itself next year.

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Ochmed Jones

Beware Meredith, he didn't hold up that well in the SEC and while a decent pass protector, is not a road grader, more of a lean on the defense kind of guy.

Ochmed Jones

If the Pats draft Britton and put him at ROT, can't Kazcur be a very serviceable swing OT?

TJ Lang is a nasty, nasty road grader type, that would be available in the third round. In my mind however, I think the pats could move him to ROG and he might work out much better for us on the inside.

Ungeheuer

I'm not sure that the Pats are really one of those teams that views the RT as a big mauler and the LT as a smaller, quicker guy. O'Callaghan is really the only RT Belichick has acquired who was a traditional huge RT, and wasn't more of a swing-tackle type. Ashworth, Gorin, Klemm, Kaczur -- they're all smaller, quicker tackles.

It doesn't seem like there are that many tackles high in the draft who are either/or types. I can see Britten, Meredith, Beatty, all those guys, playing either right or left tackle. Loadholt is the only pure RT at the top of the list. It seems to me that the Pats would do well to draft guy who is capable of playing left tackle, and if he's good, stick him at right tackle until Light leaves. What's the problem there?

CanadianPat'sFan

I think his motivation and aggression is what needs to be fixed with this kid but I like his ability to play on both the left and right side.

Meredith started 38 games, including eight at right guard, 11 at right tackle and 19 at left tackle. In the past two seasons, coaches stats credit him with 17 blocks that resulted in touchdowns while allowing seven pressures and seven sacks on 753 pass plays. Meredith graduated in May 2008 with a 3.7 GPA. - Frank Cooney, The Sports Xchange, NFLDraftScout.com

He appears to be a smart kid who at the next level could be a natural LT but with some better technique and more aggression has the physical tools to move some people.

I will have to watch a full game of his to get a better look at what you are talking about but it does throw some doubt in it.

Hercules Rockefeller

I agree with you here. Most of the Pats right tackles over the years have been of the variety you describe. I would include Greg Robinson-Randall and Kenyatta Jones, and draft picks like Clint Oldenburg and Corey Hilliard. O'Callaghan is the anomaly. I definitely could see them taking a versatile blocker, be it on the interior (Wood, Unger) or at the tackle position.