The Key to the Offensive Line

[State]

Stephen Neal . Look for big things from him this year.

The sight of his playing healthy the whole year should do wonders to rejuvenate Fred Taylor.

His ability to operate in space, to pull and take on the second layer of the defensive, is extremely valuable for the Patriots. Without him the line has been known to suffer.

I think he's one of the unheralded keys to the Patriots this season. Isn't he on the last year of his contract?

Is it too much to expect 1200 yards from Taylor? I don't think so. He's finally got a good offense line to run behind. Time to put up some big numbers before taking off the cleats for good.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Damn, you stole Deus' thunder! That's so cold.

 

[unoriginal]

Stephen Neal's health, unfortunately, is far from a given.

But based on the draft I think we should be looking for good things from whoever we put out there at RG.

 

[stinkypete]

When I read the title to this thread, I thought the same thing: Steven Neil.

The difference in the line's play with and without Neal in the past 2 years has been astounding.

 

[patriot lifer]

at least he isn't looking like he will be coming off of PUP like last year (as far as we know). that's a better start

knock on wood...

 

[WhiskeyBreath]

Stephen Neal

Is it too much to expect 1200 yards from Taylor?

I think it is.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I don't know if he's any more valuable than Mankins (he probably isn't). We just know for a fact how much it hurts the OL when he gets hurt because he gets hurt all the time. If Mankins was out for any significant amount of time, I expect we would see a similar dropoff.

 

[Lord_Reginald_III]

I don't know if he's any more valuable than Mankins (he probably isn't). We just know for a fact how much it hurts the OL when he gets hurt because he gets hurt all the time. If Mankins was out for any significant amount of time, I expect we would see a similar dropoff.

why didnt they extend him? someone on NEST was calling vince expendable, saying something to the effect of: pats extend players they want early like seymour etc, the rest move on. if you buy this (not sure i do) same logic applies to mankins

 

[eagle eye]

Sea Bass is gonna kick some ass if Neal has any problems.

 

[BradyFTW!]

why didnt they extend him? someone on NEST was calling vince expendable, saying something to the effect of: pats extend players they want early like seymour etc, the rest move on. if you buy this (not sure i do) same logic applies to mankins

I think they might just think that the guard position in general is expendable, whether it's by drafting someone and plugging him in as a rookie (Mankins) or coaching up some random UDFA wrestler.

 

[Deus Irae]

I don't see any way that Taylor, or any other running back on this team, rushes for 1200 yards this season. The Patriots haven't even had anyone rush for 900 yards since 2004. Anything's possible but, with the committee approach the team's been taking in recent years, I just don't see it.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

Like i've said many times. The key to the O-lines success is a healthy Neal, and better depth at the interior. Thats all we need to average 80 points a game

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Is it too much to expect 1200 yards from Taylor?

If that happens, the Patriots will likely have to have, oh, about 10,000 yards of total offense.

 

[Headcase]

why didnt they extend him? someone on NEST was calling vince expendable, saying something to the effect of: pats extend players they want early like seymour etc, the rest move on. if you buy this (not sure i do) same logic applies to mankins

That may work in a standard year, but with the unknown CBA situation it does not apply in the same way. He is only in this 4th year, his 5th year is 2010 and after that he could still be a RFA depending on how the CBA plays out.

SSDD

 

[CoachK]

I think they might just think that the guard position in general is expendable, whether it's by drafting someone and plugging him in as a rookie (Mankins) or coaching up some random UDFA wrestler.

I agree with you. As much as I love Mankins, he will command top $$ for an OG, which is far more value than the PATs put on the position.

Can't argue with the strategy. Has there been a better value contract in the last 5 years than Mankins" contract ??

 

[tanked_as_usual]

why didnt they extend him? someone on NEST was calling vince expendable, saying something to the effect of: pats extend players they want early like seymour etc, the rest move on. if you buy this (not sure i do) same logic applies to mankins

because very little extending is going on due to the CBA......only 3 of 32 first rounders in mankins' year have been extended and one of those extensions is a joke (QB alex smith of the niners)......fact is, if it is an uncapped year, mankins will be an RFA

wilfork on the other hand will be a FA, but as long as you have the franchise tag handy, you can keep him......I don't believe it is in the pats best interest to allow wilfork onto the open market

 

[tanked_as_usual]

I agree with you. As much as I love Mankins, he will command top $$ for an OG, which is far more value than the PATs put on the position.

Can't argue with the strategy. Has there been a better value contract in the last 5 years than Mankins" contract ??

in an uncapped 2010, mankins will be an RFA which will make him an even better bargain

 

[tanked_as_usual]

as for neal, his problems are chronic, I believe (shoulder).......that said, the offense is certainly better with him in there...

ohrnberger projects as a neal understudy...........he's made a life of using leverage and mobility much like neal does

 

[TruthSeeker]

If that happens, the Patriots will likely have to have, oh, about 10,000 yards of total offense.

Ah, a proponent of the 22 game season I see.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Ah, a proponent of the 22 game season I see.

I think it terribly unfair that people with extra digits on their hands and feet throw out such large numbers when discussing season length.