We Need A Backup OT Now

[mgteich]

We need to play one game at a time. We need an emergency OT for this week to step in if there is an injury for 1-2 games. After that, LeVoir should be available.

As of now, I would presume that Simmons or Neal could play RT and Kaczur LT if there is a need for a backup for even a play or two this coming week.

I believe Wesley Britt is still out there.

 

[JSn]

I think they'll make due until the bye if they can, but I do wonder if they'll swing NK over to LT until then. Vollmer is good, but I don't know if he's ready to start at LT.

 

[mgteich]

It would be pretty bad lose at TENN if Vollmer or Kaczur is injured during the game and we have no backup.

I think they'll make due until the bye if they can, but I do wonder if they'll swing NK over to LT until then. Vollmer is good, but I don't know if he's ready to start at LT.

 

[Spiral]

At this point, I wonder if they regret cutting Ryan O'C.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Gotta sign a tackle for this week and next- Britt, I guess? You can't go into a game with only 2 tackles, especially when one of them has been questionable leading into the last couple of games.

 

[Pats726]

Absolutely...a tackle is needed. I kept thinking they needed one a fwe weeks ago and it was OK...but it was one injury away from disaster. Kaczur has been injured but played..but now that Light is hurt another is needed ASAP. Britt?? I think he knows the system and will be OK till LeVoir is back.

 

[Deus Irae]

At this point, I wonder if they regret cutting Ryan O'C.

Well, Pioli is thrilled with that move.

 

[unoriginal]

Well, Pioli is thrilled with that move.

I doubt "thrilled" in any way describes what Pioli thinks of his offensive line.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

i doubt "thrilled" in any way describes what pioli thinks of his offensive line.

b - i - n - g - o!

 

[mgteich]

I think LeVoir can come back for the Tampa Bay game, so this major problem is a one-game issue.

I agree that Vollmer might be playing RT this week. Kaczur is well able to play the left side. He played a reasonable LT in his rookie year. I suspect that Simmons is able to be the emergency backup RT.

I think they'll make due until the bye if they can, but I do wonder if they'll swing NK over to LT until then. Vollmer is good, but I don't know if he's ready to start at LT.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I doubt "thrilled" in any way describes what Pioli thinks of his offensive line.

Imagine how much worse it'd be without O'C

 

[tanked_as_usual]

I believe they will play vollmer at LT to keep everything else intact

 

[Fencer]

Couldn't Mankins slide over for part of one game if needed?

 

[BradyFTW!]

I tend to believe that they'll just start Vollmer at LT. Best to maintain as much continuity as possible- sliding guys over from other positions just downgrades their original position too.

 

[mgteich]

jimke posted that Connelly was an OT in college. He could be the #3 for the week until LeVoir is back, and the #4 thereafter. He is the backup center (his best position) and guard now, and has been active in place of Simmons and Orhnberger. It seems that Connelly is carving out a roster spot for him as a utility backup lineman, replacing Hochstein.

Light will be out for awhile. The question is who will be our LT for the next several weeks. Dante needs to find the best combination.

ONE GAME
If all we are discussing is one game, I would put Vollmer at RT and not risk Brady with Vollmer at LT for one game.

REST OF SEASON
Dante must choose his LT for the next several weeks from Kaczur, Vollmer and LeVoir.

MOST LIKELY
Vollmer will play LT this week with lots of help from a TE on his side and the decision for the rest of the year can be delayed some, partially depending on Vollmer's performance over the next week or two and in practices over the next three weeks through the bye.

GUT FEELING
Light will be placed on IR next week or the week after and will not play another down for the patriots. His injury just accelerated the move to Kaczur, Vollmer and LeVoir. Obviously, Belichick can add another first or second round draft choice in 2010 if desirable.

 

[JSn]

GUT FEELING
Light will be placed on IR next week or the week after and will not play another down for the patriots. His injury just accelerated the move to Kaczur, Vollmer and LeVoir. Obviously, Belichick can add another first or second round draft choice in 2010 if desirable.

I have to agree that Light is almost done here. That said, the indications are that the injury isn't too bad, according to Light's wife.

The Connoly (sp?) thing is interesting though. Can't see him at tackle except under DIRE circumstances.

I hope you're wrong about Vollmer at LT this week, personally. Nice kid and all, but...

 

[mgteich]

I hope I'm wrong also. I think Kaczur is a fine choice at LT. RT would be a much easier place for Vollmer to play this week.

I have to agree that Light is almost done here. That said, the indications are that the injury isn't too bad, according to Light's wife.

The Connoly (sp?) thing is interesting though. Can't see him at tackle except under DIRE circumstances.

I hope you're wrong about Vollmer at LT this week, personally. Nice kid and all, but...

 

[Kontradiction]

I say "screw it" and leave Vollmer in there until he's proven too big a liability at the position. Why not? He was being groomed as Light's successor anyway. Throw him to the wolves with his size and versatility and see how he does. Everyone should remember that Light had to start as a rookie as well, and he's proven to be pretty solid over time. Maybe Vollmer will turn into a mauler of a LT that we can successfully run the ball and pick up big gains behind. If not, there is always a replacement and Vollmer can always be shifted over to the right side of the line.

 

[mgteich]

Why not? Perhaps because it is important to play one game at a time. The idea of putting Vollmer at LT until he fails and increase the likelihood of further injury to Brady is a really, really bad idea IMO.

HOWEVER, if dante thinks that the best combination is to have Vollmer at LT instead of RT, then I'm certainly fine with that. As I've said in other threads, I don't think actual Sunday is the time for experimentation and testing. Belichick has succeeded all these years by playing one game at a time, and doing all he could to win that game.

I say "screw it" and leave Vollmer in there until he's proven too big a liability at the position. Why not? He was being groomed as Light's successor anyway. Throw him to the wolves with his size and versatility and see how he does. Everyone should remember that Light had to start as a rookie as well, and he's proven to be pretty solid over time. Maybe Vollmer will turn into a mauler of a LT that we can successfully run the ball and pick up big gains behind. If not, there is always a replacement and Vollmer can always be shifted over to the right side of the line.

 

[Kontradiction]

Why not? Perhaps because it is important to play one game at a time. The idea of putting Vollmer at LT until he fails and increase the likelihood of further injury to Brady is a really, really bad idea IMO.

HOWEVER, if dante thinks that the best combination is to have Vollmer at LT instead of RT, then I'm certainly fine with that. As I've said in other threads, I don't think actual Sunday is the time for experimentation and testing. Belichick has succeeded all these years by playing one game at a time, and doing all he could to win that game.

To be honest, I don't think he did a bad job AT ALL against Elvis Dumervil, one of the league's best current pass rushers. He did have to block him on the few pass plays that we tried after Vollmer came in. IMO, he held his own. It's not that bad of an idea to insert him into the line-up at LT again this Sunday. If he does a good job against Vaden-Bosch then I don't see the problem with a hands-on learning experience for him until Light comes back.