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The OL has taken a lot abuse. I suggest that everyone compare it to the lines of the Super Bowl years. The line's job is to allow Brady and the passing game to be among the best in the league, and to have a decent running game (with no fullback and no blocking #3 TE).
Some like last year's line better. We replaced Britt, Hochstein and Yates with Vollmer, Connolly and Ohrnberger. Are we really worse off. The line has had many injuries. How many teams have lines that would do better when their #3 LT was out there?
Sure the OL would look better with a FB and a top blocking TE. But we are a pssing team, and the positions have been used on Special Teams.
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The OL played well for many games. They will play well again, especially if they can regain some health. We've had the same OL for years, a luxury few teams enjoy.
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THE FUTURE
We're fine at OT with four solid OT's. Light may go after this season or he may switch positions (possibly LG if Mankins goes).
We are OK at center with Koppen.
We have very serious issues at OG. We don't have any starters for the future. Connolly is a solid backup at OG and C, but he seems unlikely to be a starter.
We had an opportunity in the 2nd round of the 2009 draft to draft a stud OG. Belichick passed. Even with two starters through 2011, a safety was more important. After all, Belichick's optimum teams has 5-6 safeties, at four of which can play special teams.
Of course, Belichick may be right. It take a year to develop a safety. An OG needs an offseason. Look for us to draft a guard in the 1st or 2nd round. Thwe problem is that we might need two and Ohrnberger does look to have been a great choice.
Some like last year's line better. We replaced Britt, Hochstein and Yates with Vollmer, Connolly and Ohrnberger. Are we really worse off. The line has had many injuries. How many teams have lines that would do better when their #3 LT was out there?
Sure the OL would look better with a FB and a top blocking TE. But we are a pssing team, and the positions have been used on Special Teams.
=======================================
The OL played well for many games. They will play well again, especially if they can regain some health. We've had the same OL for years, a luxury few teams enjoy.
=======================================
THE FUTURE
We're fine at OT with four solid OT's. Light may go after this season or he may switch positions (possibly LG if Mankins goes).
We are OK at center with Koppen.
We have very serious issues at OG. We don't have any starters for the future. Connolly is a solid backup at OG and C, but he seems unlikely to be a starter.
We had an opportunity in the 2nd round of the 2009 draft to draft a stud OG. Belichick passed. Even with two starters through 2011, a safety was more important. After all, Belichick's optimum teams has 5-6 safeties, at four of which can play special teams.
Of course, Belichick may be right. It take a year to develop a safety. An OG needs an offseason. Look for us to draft a guard in the 1st or 2nd round. Thwe problem is that we might need two and Ohrnberger does look to have been a great choice.