Does anyone think we might use our #1 on an OL ?

Light, Mankins, Neal should be set.

Koppen is kind of set except that he's still rehabbing from a bad injury and is a UFA in 11 months. Would we consider Mangold ? I wouldn't as he would be useless this year unless Koppen doesn't make it back.

Then there's RT. I think we all think of Gorin as backup quality. Kaczur - do we want to risk this season on him being solid at RT or think of him as a swing man backup and draft a RT who could be a top talent at that position ?

Of course, we could still use a Day One pick on an OL without using the #1, just wondering if anyone sees the top pick going to this critical spot.

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Don't Give Me a Defensive Player Who Can't Tackle . . . What Am I Going to Do With Him ? --- Bill Belichick

The more I think about it, the more Mangold wouldn't surprise me. He's probably on of the five safest picks in the draft, and he can anchor the line for five years. I don't think he's useless this year, IF Koppen makes it back by opening day (and that's a big if), Mangold will back up the interior three positions.

I don't expect Koppen to return next year. Someone's going to offer him a nice free agent contract. I always found him overrated on the big man dance challenge, too.

I don't see using a #1 on a tackle.

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Useless was a very poor choice of words on my part as the top backup to several positions is virtually assured of significant playing time (especially on the Patriots, it seems). But he wouldn't be "a starter".

__________________
Don't Give Me a Defensive Player Who Can't Tackle . . . What Am I Going to Do With Him ? --- Bill Belichick

It would also lock up the OL. We know the entire DL (3 starters plus Green and Hill) are all signed through 2009 (or 2010 in some cases).

For the OL :

Light : 2010
Mankins : 2009
Neal : 2009
Kaczur : 2009

Drafting Mangold would lock up the OL through 2009 also, although I'm still not 100% sold on Kaczur until we see how he does in 2006.

__________________
Don't Give Me a Defensive Player Who Can't Tackle . . . What Am I Going to Do With Him ? --- Bill Belichick

Kaczur played left tackle last year as a rookie one of the most demanding positions in the NFL and I think he held his own. I'm pretty sure he can play RT as well as the G position. So I think we are pretty set also Gorin is signed through 2007 and has proved he can play. I'm pretty sure they will draft another OL probably in rounds 4 or 5.

I agree, he was more than acceptable last year given the circumstances. However I would love to know what Belichick/Pioli/Scharneccia think of his upside. We have a Ferrari at QB - I don't just want it in a garage, I want that garage heated and insulated too.

__________________
Don't Give Me a Defensive Player Who Can't Tackle . . . What Am I Going to Do With Him ? --- Bill Belichick

We have
Kayzur,Mankins,Koppen/Hochstein,Neal,Light/Gorin
Britt, Mruczkowksi

This is a strong seven, when Light and Koppen are healthy, and two starters from last year until they are. My suspicion is that Light will come back at RT for awhile, while Kayzur continues his development.

We need to do something at center: extend Koppen, extend Hochstein and/or draft a center.

We could also use an additional OT, perhaps even a stud, although this is unlikely unless Light is more seriously hurt than we know.

Look at:

C Ryan
OT Mcquistan

Do not be very surprised if the Pats pick Eric Winston.

He was a top 10 pick before he got hurt. He's just now getting fully healthy. He's nasty and a good athlete. If his medical file checks out then he could be a bargain if the Pats pick him up. I know we have more pressing needs but the word "value" just screams if he slides to the end of the 1st round.

The need is NT, LB, RB, WR, every other position has adequate starters and backups.