mgteich

Who do you think are capable of starting at both these positions within by the beginning of the 2011 season?

WhiZa

I'm fine with Koppen and Neal/Connolly. Depth would need to be addressed tho.

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NePatriots

I'm preparing to hear that Neal is retiring. I think we need a starting OG in this draft.

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hammertime

Koppen can play center. Honestly, I think that Kaczur could kick inside to guard as well. He's versatile and would function better in a more contained space than at his current position. Just play Vollmer at RT (since it seems that BB doesn't want to play Light at LT) and we should be fine.

Box_O_Rocks

BB claims Connolly was doing well enough in Training Camp to compete for a starting position, though he never clarified if one was more likely than another. Wendell looked to be playing better than Connolly in preseason to my eyes. Orhnberger was sheltered on the 53 for a reason. Bussey was not only compared favorably to a kid who did okay as a rookie starter for Buffalo before breaking his leg, but he was a four year starter at Louisville at G and T (three+ years at LT in a pass first offense with a power run component).

In an apparently Tackle-rich draft class, Dante and BB may see a prospect whom they project to upgrade one or more positions as a BPA pick, but drafting a starting RG and/or a replacement for Koppen is not a priority for them with the four reserves above and the Kaczur speculation.

Perusing the OL projections from NFLDS, it's clear the Guard and Center offerings are slim, while Tackle has good depth through the entire draft and into UDFA status - the problem at Tackle is finding guys short enough for Dante's recent height bias.

The question to ask for NE is what will they do to prepare better for the blitz up the middle, and the need to have interior guys who can win the leverage battle with Wilfork-like DTs? I'd be inclined to shy away from Iupati and Ducasse as projections inside for NE because both have technique/experience flags which may impact their learning curve for dealing with the problems defenses are giving NE. Technique is a Scar password, without it you don't get in. Unless BB plans to go high for Bulaga and move him inside, I currently don't see anyone competitive with the present NE roster.

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dryheat44

I think Pouncey's good enough to be a day one starter at either C or RG.

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mayoclinic

Definitely at RG. Center might take a big longer because he's not used to our blocking scheme and not used to doing the kind of things in college that BB demands of his OC, and at which Koppen excels - making the line calls, for example. Koppen is a terrific line general, and I think it would take Pouncey at least half a season and probably a full season before he is able to get that part down.

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"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

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mayoclinic

You're also the guy who said it would take a top 10 pick to upgrade Kaczur at RT last year, so I take this with a grain of salt.

RG might not be the dire sinkhole that some portray it to be, but I think there's plenty of room (and talent in the draft) to upgrade it.

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"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

"The key to any successful organization is to anticipate things, not react to them." - Michael Lombardi

Box_O_Rocks

Has NE upgraded him? I know folks around here are dancing on his grave because Vollmer took over as an injury replacement, but I've yet to see the depth chart for 2010 or the final grades from Dante on his charges.

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SanAngeloState

Drafting a center who could block, especially run block and a guard big enough to take on big lineman could change the team. Even Maroney would be putting up big yards.