mgteich

I strongly believe that an OG to replace Neal is our greates need. But I could be wrong.
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Many on this board think that OL was terrible this year, even though our offense was top 5, our sacks were top 5, and Brady's completion percentage was among his best. This was accomplished with his many injuries during the season, to the OL and to Brady.
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Perhaps Belichick plans to extend Mankins. Perhaps dante has more faith In Connolly, Wendell and Ohrnberger than we do.
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With regard to OT's, just perhaps, Belichick is fine with a Light and Vollmer as our tackles, with Kaczur and LeVoir as backups. Belichick may even extend Light.
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Light, Mankins, Koppen, Connolly, Vollmer
Kaczur, Ohrnberger, Wendell/Neal/vetfa, LeVoir

Connolly has been groomed for a couple of years, and now has started several games. Vollmer has started at RT. Kaczur may be one of the best backup OT's around. LeVoir is surely the best #4. The open question is how high the need is at OL. Perhaps all we need is to bring in a mid-level veteran or two to compete for the RG starting spot and the backup C/OG roster spot.
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BradyManny

As I just said in another thread, Neal would be a huge loss. Connolly looked pretty good in his few starts, but historically, this team has a big dropoff when Neal is out.

I also think Center could be upgraded, or at the very least, a replacement needs to be groomed behind Koppen.

The Tackle position is set, and is very strong. Retaining Mankins is a must. If we do that, then we're in OK shape at OL, but we do have to address RG (assuming Neal retires) and OC (long term).

mgteich

Given our other needs, one could argue that the acquisition of a midlevel OG/C this year and next would meet our OL needs for the next two years.

gzathepat

Do you think Nick Kaczur can slide in and play Guard? Is he powerful enough to play the position?

We should have a line solid with

Light, Mankins, Koppen, Kaczur, Vollmer

ayjackson

maybe Connoly can take over from Koppen in a year.

Maybe the Pats go OT first round and let Light walk. Certainly they'll want to renegotiate his $4.9m salary this year. But if he won't play along....

Maybe Bussey's the RG of the future.

maybe ohrnberger opens up a greasy spoon

Box_O_Rocks

I'm glad someone remembered Bussey.

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ayjackson

I'm paying attention BOR. Everybit the lineman as his college teammate right?

BradyManny

Remembered, yes, but we - as fans, outside of the organization - don't know how he's doing. Same goes for Orhnberger. The Patriots 2010 draft will help reveal how they feel about those two. I'd still expect a veteran guard to be brought in if Neal does in fact call it quits, for camp competition at least.

Palm Beach Pats Fan

I don't think he has the mobility needed, but I could be wrong. I think that all of our tackles are just tackles. I want Iupati!

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mgteich

We have one of the best OL coaches around and he has been a master at developing offensive linemen in the past.

If Mankins is given a long-term extension, I could see allowing dante to find his starting RG and backup interior linemen from among:

Kaczur
Connolly
Wendell
Ohrnberger
Bussey
free agent 1
free agent 2

Drafting a top guard is not the only answer.