Offensive Guards

[DaBruinz]

I'd like to see the Pats draft a new RG later in the draft. I like Neal, but at 31, he's just about done. I like Yates and Hochstein, but they are Jags. Neither Hochstein nor Neal did well during the SB.

The Pats need another mobile mauler.

I like Donald Thomas of Connecticut, though he's got some off-field issues that, not being in New England, I haven't heard much on.

Another is Chad Reinhart of Northern Iowa. Shawn Murphy of Utah State may be a long shot to look at.

[dryheat44]

Originally Posted by DaBruinz

I'd like to see the Pats draft a new RG later in the draft. I like Neal, but at 31, he's just about done. I like Yates and Hochstein, but they are Jags. Neither Hochstein nor Neal did well during the SB.

The Pats need another mobile mauler.

I like Donald Thomas of Connecticut, though he's got some off-field issues that, not being in New England, I haven't heard much on.

Another is Chad Reinhart of Northern Iowa. Shawn Murphy of Utah State may be a long shot to look at.

Lemme add Jeremy Zuttah of Rutgers as a late-rounder. Drew Radovich of USC could be around late also.

[BelichickFan]

Although you're talking about much lower picks you should check out Mayock's highlight plays on Brandon Albert from VT. He may end up at Tackle but . . . talk about a mobile mauler who played G in college.

[ayjackson]

John Greco looks like a player who could be a nasty guard at the pro level. I think he will be drafted higher as a guard than a team would looking for a RT.

But I'd like to see Kazcur be that mauler. Light moves to RT and we draft Long, Clady, Williams or Otah for LT.

[DaBruinz]

Originally Posted by BelichickFan

Although you're talking about much lower picks you should check out Mayock's highlight plays on Brandon Albert from VT. He may end up at Tackle but . . . talk about a mobile mauler who played G in college.

I figured that Albert would be off the board by the time the Pats picked in the 2nd round. Though, if he is there, I'd be thrilled if the Pats took him.

[KevinFaulk-33]

Roy Shuening?

[Ochmed Jones]

Dryheat hit on a good one. Zuttah of Rutgers is nasty. As a run blocker he cleared the way for a ton of Rice's yardage. He appears to have decent strength, comes off the ball with a flat back and decent feet. He will move his guy off the LOS.

His two biggest problems that I see are a lack of speed in getting to the second level and pass protection. I think a year or two in the Dante OL boot camp will turn him from a raw prospect into a decent OG.

I do think that Neal's shoulder problemss are becoming chronic and I do not see Russ H. as a viable long term answer. And while I did like what little I saw of Yates, I have doubts about his durability as well.

[BradyManny2344]

Originally Posted by DaBruinz

I figured that Albert would be off the board by the time the Pats picked in the 2nd round. Though, if he is there, I'd be thrilled if the Pats took him.

I was watching one of Mayock's pieces on nfl.com on top OL in the draft, Albert sounds like a perfect fit for Pats.

Just another reason to hate Goodell, he'd be a perfect guy to take @ 31.

I'm still hoping we trade #7 for #14 & 44 from the Bears, if so, I'd hope he'd be available at #44.

Between the Super Bowl meltdown, inconsistent run blocking early in the year, Neal's health & the OL being mildly overrated in general due to it reaping the benefit of blocking for Tom Brady, I would say OL is a bigger need than widely believed.

It's as high a need as those on defense. In fact, for the various varying degrees of deficiencies our defense is said to have, it still took one terrible defensive performance in Week 17 to prevent us from having the #1 scoring defense despite missing one of our best defensive players for the first 6 weeks, and another one of our best for the final 6.

[Seneschal2]

DaBruinz,

Some snippets from a Combine blog on some of the OG prospects:

USC offensive lineman Drew Radovich said that he believes his agility and speed to get into his blocks will translate well to the pro level. He also thinks his pulling ability as a guard will be an asset. He measured in at 6'4 and 307 pounds.

Offensive guard Robert Felton out of Arkansas said he's been training in New Jersey and "is ready to get this over with, run some good times." He was very upbeat during his entire session with the media. And he said he measured in at 6035 and 315 pounds...

Branden Albert, guard from the University of Virginia was the first player to meet the media. He measured in at 6'5 1/2 and 309 pounds. He believes he can play guard or tackle at the next level...

[sg14]

For some reason this AM, was wondering if Steve Hutchinson was to be drafted this year, how high would you take him?? He has had a profound impact for each team he has played for.

Then, if the Pats think this Albert kid is as good as Hutchinson, do we grab him at 7????

There is no telling with this front office when it comes to draft day. This scenario is based upon the high evaluation of Albert.