mgteich

Who among the OT's is ready to start (if Light isn't re-signed), and is also ready to start ot OG if Light comes back?
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Draftek now has Pinkston at #33, after having Costonzo at #17.

Off The Grid

Ah!! VERY intriguing subject, sir.

I actually have Jason Pinkston on deck as my second Guard ~ in addition to Danny Watkins ~ should signing + trading Logan Mankins prove to be the best course to take. I believe that Pinkston and Watkins both have All Pro Potential at Guard. But they're both decisively too short to play O Tackle at an high level.

Ultimately, we're talking about two slightly different body types: O Tackles in our System need to be tall without being too heavy, and O Guards need to be stouter, and too much height can actually be a detriment, as has recently dawned on me. So while a conversion ~ such as Pinkston or Watkins or both ~ is right down my alley, an hybrid doesn't appeal to me, personally.

I'd rather draft Mike Brewster and Peter Konz, next year ~ they're both exceptional Center prospects ~ and move one of them to O Guard, thus buying us an absolutely stellar Insurance Policy at Center.

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Box_O_Rocks

The OL I list are those whose Combine measurables most closely match up wth the kind of numbers NE's OL generated in their Combines or Pro-Days:

Castonzo, Sherrod, Ziemba, and Reid, seem okay to step in and start early. I'm not sure about J. King and Hix. Solder is probably the best LT candidate, but he'd need to be eased into the job as he improves his technique and strength.

Tackle to Guard: Maybe Sherrod and King as NE prefers Guards in the 6-3/6-4 range, these two are 6-5, but they may be okay inside. Tackles projected to Guard before the draft: Person, Boling, Arkin, and Kilgore.

Guard who may also kick out to Tackle: Hurd.

Center/Guards only: Moffitt, Jackson, Vendervelde, Fusco, Wisniewski, O'Dowd, Z. Williams.

And Undersized Center/Guard who would probably need to spend time on the Practice Squad to bulk up: Kelce.

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kurtinelson

Good thread. Given the uncertainty of Light & Mankins, I think BB will put an even greater imperative on drafting O-linemen with positional flexibility.

My O-line Binkies who could start at OT or OG:

G. Carimi
B. Ijalana
C. Boling

Without knowing the outcome of the Light contract situation, I'm hesitant to draft pure OTs like T. Smith, Costanzo, Solder, Sherrod.

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Mark Morse

My Tackle to Guard conversions are Danny Watkins and Marcus Cannon. I think eitehr could start right away. I am projecting the Pats take at least three OLinemen in the draft. Brandon Fusco (who was interviewed by the Patriots at the combine) is another player that could move from C to OG.

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IllegalContact

why wast time with conversions? the pats have the picks to get the guys at their positions.

using 2 of the top 3 picks, the pats should go get an OG like pouncey (who could eventually be our C if the need should arise) and get a real OT. converting guys takes time, and I haven't seen the pats actually do a whole lot of that. most of the guys they have had play at the positions they have been accustomed to. (Light, Mankins, Koppen,Vollmer)

just because the pats most recent successful project (neal) is retiring, does not mean they need to go make another one.

The pats can get 2 guys between the first and 2nd rounds who will come relatively cheaply (rookie contracts) that will make it easier and more justifiable to extend mankins and to keep light around for a couple of years

mgteich

Yes, we have the picks to draft a pure OT, OG and a pure OC. That strategy could work (although we might really end up needing 2 guards and a cetner).

TACKLE
If we KNEW that Light was going to be here for three years, we would not draft a pure RT or LT min the first 3 picks. We might draft a player who could be a backup at both RT and LT. However, even #33 is expensive for a player that you expect to be a backup for at least 2 years. Watkins, Pinkston and Cannon come to mind. I would also expect that Carimi could start at RG.

GUARDS
Many nfl guards were OT's in college. So, there are always some top OT's that folk project at OT or OG. This is especially true of the right side where some teams want roadgraders.
The relatively poor quality of the OG's this is an illusion if you include OT's that could project as OG's.

CENTERS
It is always good for a potential starter at center also be a gaurd. Weisnewski and Moffit seem to fit the bill.

BTW, Pouncey is not a starting center.


[QUOTE=IllegalContact;2494321]why wast time with conversions? the pats have the picks to get the guys at their positions.

IllegalContact

per NFL.com:

Pouncey is arguably this class' top interior offensive line prospect. He has outstanding football IQ and the ability to become a pro-bowl starter at guard or center. Has great feet needed to mirror pass rushers and pull down the line. Uses his hands well when battling in pass protection. Shows his understanding of the game when recognizing blitzers and effectively combo blocking with teammates. Plays with passion and aggressiveness and has the work-ethic to continue to improve. Defensive tackles with more size and strength than Pouncey can be his kryptonite but there aren't many holes in this guy's game. A first round prospect.

and so I ask again, which pats OL's were converted from other positions?

DNR

The Patriots preference for taking very good OT and making them OG has been well documented in the past. It's exactly what they did with Mankins who was a LT at Fresno but was questionable at that position in the NFL.

I can see them doing this again this year with someone like Ijalana who would would seem to fit their size and versatility requirements. I could see them taking him at #33 to play anywhere other than center.

And John Moffitt would be my choice as another must take OL in this draft to play OG or eventually C

DaBruinz

Why would Light's contract status affect the drafting of Smith, Solder, Sherrod or Castonzo? Light has 2-3 years in him, at best. Having one of those guys ready to come in to replace Light or Vollmer due to injury or to replace Light in the event of a serious downturn in skills would be better than not having them, wouldn't it?