The OL - A Minority View

[mgteich]

I strongly believe that an OG to replace Neal is our greates need. But I could be wrong.
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Many on this board think that OL was terrible this year, even though our offense was top 5, our sacks were top 5, and Brady's completion percentage was among his best. This was accomplished with his many injuries during the season, to the OL and to Brady.
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Perhaps Belichick plans to extend Mankins. Perhaps dante has more faith In Connolly, Wendell and Ohrnberger than we do.
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With regard to OT's, just perhaps, Belichick is fine with a Light and Vollmer as our tackles, with Kaczur and LeVoir as backups. Belichick may even extend Light.
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Light, Mankins, Koppen, Connolly, Vollmer
Kaczur, Ohrnberger, Wendell/Neal/vetfa, LeVoir

Connolly has been groomed for a couple of years, and now has started several games. Vollmer has started at RT. Kaczur may be one of the best backup OT's around. LeVoir is surely the best #4. The open question is how high the need is at OL. Perhaps all we need is to bring in a mid-level veteran or two to compete for the RG starting spot and the backup C/OG roster spot.
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[BradyManny]

As I just said in another thread, Neal would be a huge loss. Connolly looked pretty good in his few starts, but historically, this team has a big dropoff when Neal is out.

I also think Center could be upgraded, or at the very least, a replacement needs to be groomed behind Koppen.

The Tackle position is set, and is very strong. Retaining Mankins is a must. If we do that, then we're in OK shape at OL, but we do have to address RG (assuming Neal retires) and OC (long term).

 

[mgteich]

Given our other needs, one could argue that the acquisition of a midlevel OG/C this year and next would meet our OL needs for the next two years.

As I just said in another thread, Neal would be a huge loss. Connolly looked pretty good in his few starts, but historically, this team has a big dropoff when Neal is out.

I also think Center could be upgraded, or at the very least, a replacement needs to be groomed behind Koppen.

The Tackle position is set, and is very strong. Retaining Mankins is a must. If we do that, then we're in OK shape at OL, but we do have to address RG (assuming Neal retires) and OC (long term).

 

[gzathepat]

I strongly believe that an OG to replace Neal is our greates need. But I could be wrong.
====================================================================
Many on this board think that OL was terrible this year, even though our offense was top 5, our sacks were top 5, and Brady's completion percentage was among his best. This was accomplished with his many injuries during the season, to the OL and to Brady.
==================================================================
Perhaps Belichick plans to extend Mankins. Perhaps dante has more faith In Connolly, Wendell and Ohrnberger than we do.
====================================================================
With regard to OT's, just perhaps, Belichick is fine with a Light and Vollmer as our tackles, with Kaczur and LeVoir as backups. Belichick may even extend Light.
====================================================================
Light, Mankins, Koppen, Connolly, Vollmer
Kaczur, Ohrnberger, Wendell/Neal/vetfa, LeVoir

Connolly has been groomed for a couple of years, and now has started several games. Vollmer has started at RT. Kaczur may be one of the best backup OT's around. LeVoir is surely the best #4. The open question is how high the need is at OL. Perhaps all we need is to bring in a mid-level veteran or two to compete for the RG starting spot and the backup C/OG roster spot.
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Do you think Nick Kaczur can slide in and play Guard? Is he powerful enough to play the position?

We should have a line solid with

Light, Mankins, Koppen, Kaczur, Vollmer

 

[ayjackson]

maybe Connoly can take over from Koppen in a year.

Maybe the Pats go OT first round and let Light walk. Certainly they'll want to renegotiate his $4.9m salary this year. But if he won't play along....

Maybe Bussey's the RG of the future.

maybe ohrnberger opens up a greasy spoon

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I'm glad someone remembered Bussey.

 

[ayjackson]

I'm glad someone remembered Bussey.

I'm paying attention BOR. Everybit the lineman as his college teammate right?

 

[BradyManny]

I'm glad someone remembered Bussey.

Remembered, yes, but we - as fans, outside of the organization - don't know how he's doing. Same goes for Orhnberger. The Patriots 2010 draft will help reveal how they feel about those two. I'd still expect a veteran guard to be brought in if Neal does in fact call it quits, for camp competition at least.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

Do you think Nick Kaczur can slide in and play Guard? Is he powerful enough to play the position?

We should have a line solid with

Light, Mankins, Koppen, Kaczur, Vollmer

I don't think he has the mobility needed, but I could be wrong. I think that all of our tackles are just tackles. I want Iupati!

 

[mgteich]

We have one of the best OL coaches around and he has been a master at developing offensive linemen in the past.

If Mankins is given a long-term extension, I could see allowing dante to find his starting RG and backup interior linemen from among:

Kaczur
Connolly
Wendell
Ohrnberger
Bussey
free agent 1
free agent 2

Drafting a top guard is not the only answer.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I'm paying attention BOR. Everybit the lineman as his college teammate right?

So his college OL coach claimed - we can only hope.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Remembered, yes, but we - as fans, outside of the organization - don't know how he's doing. Same goes for Orhnberger. The Patriots 2010 draft will help reveal how they feel about those two. I'd still expect a veteran guard to be brought in if Neal does in fact call it quits, for camp competition at least.

Oh I expect the competition to be furious, and I'm not putting drafting an OL in rounds 1 or 2 as a high probability. It will be interesting to see who hits Free Agency in an uncapped year.

 

[Badluck]

i think we could take a guy like mike johnson out of bama with our last 2nd round pick
people say he really was the key to their success

 

[mgteich]

Sign me up. I wouldn't be surprised to see him gone when we pick at 42.

i think we could take a guy like mike johnson out of bama with our last 2nd round pick
people say he really was the key to their success

 

[captain stone]

I strongly believe that an OG to replace Neal is our greatest need. But I could be wrong.
If Light returns, then I'd like to see Kaczur moved to RG, so that his weakness vs. certain pass-rushers can be mitigated. Our greatest need therefore becomes a Center to replace Koppen.

====================================================================
Many on this board think that OL was terrible this year, even though our offense was top 5, our sacks were top 5, and Brady's completion percentage was among his best. This was accomplished with his many injuries during the season, to the OL and to Brady.
I give more credit to Brady's ability to take after-the-pass hits than to the OL's ability to protect him.

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Perhaps Belichick plans to extend Mankins. Perhaps Dante has more faith In Connolly, Wendell and Ohrnberger than we do.
Mankins absolutely needs to be re-signed, because I have no faith whatsoever in Connelly, Wendell, O'Burger & Bustey.

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With regard to OT's, just perhaps, Belichick is fine with a Light and Vollmer as our tackles, with Kaczur and LeVoir as backups. Belichick may even extend Light.
Extend Light? Say it ain't so. Just let him finish his contract, then bid adieu.

====================================================================
Light, Mankins, Koppen, Connolly, Vollmer
Kaczur, Ohrnberger, Wendell/Neal/vetfa, LeVoir

Connolly has been groomed for a couple of years, and now has started several games. Vollmer has started at RT. Kaczur may be one of the best backup OT's around. LeVoir is surely the best #4. The open question is how high the need is at OL. Perhaps all we need is to bring in a mid-level veteran or two to compete for the RG starting spot and the backup C/OG roster spot.
=================================================================

Light - Mankins - Koppen/Maurkice Pouncey - Kaczur - Vollmer
LeVoir - OBurger - Connelly/Wendell/Vet FA - Bussey/Vet FA/Neal(at vet minimum only) - Draft Pick/Vet FA

The OL needs an infusion of youth, size & nastiness. Maurkice Pouncey would be a perfect start.

Two questions Bill needs to answer before the draft:
- Is Vollmer's Position of the Future at LT or RT? If the answer is RT, then a LT of the Future becomes a much bigger priority.
- Can Kaczur successfully transition to RG? If the answer is No, then finding a RG to replace Neal becomes, as you stated, our greatest need.

 

[captain stone]

I'm glad someone remembered Bussey.

I wish I could forget him, and that Bill drafted him - in the 5th round, for crap's sake.

 

[mgteich]

This board is very split on Kaczur.

Some think him a reasonable starting RT and would trade Light.
Some think him waaaay overpaid and would cut him or trade him.
Some think of him as our starting RG.
Some think of him as a fine backup who could start as needed at RT, LT and maybe RG.

I see no reason to believe that the future of Kaczur can be decided before the draft. Personally, I do think that he is capable of starting at three positions, and is the perfect backup to have suited up on Game Day, along with a backup C/LG.

We didn't move to get any of the centers available in the draft last year. I suspect that this year won't be any different. I'm fine with Pouncy (but only id he can also be expected to compete fo the RG position), depending on how other needs are met in free agency.

Light - Mankins - Koppen/Maurkice Pouncey - Kaczur - Vollmer
LeVoir - OBurger - Connelly/Wendell/Vet FA - Bussey/Vet FA/Neal(at vet minimum only) - Draft Pick/Vet FA

The OL needs an infusion of youth, size & nastiness. Maurkice Pouncey would be a perfect start.

Two questions Bill needs to answer before the draft:
- Is Vollmer's Position of the Future at LT or RT? If the answer is RT, then a LT of the Future becomes a much bigger priority.
- Can Kaczur successfully transition to RG? If the answer is No, then finding a RG to replace Neal becomes, as you stated, our greatest need.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I wish I could forget him, and that Bill drafted him - in the 5th round, for crap's sake.

6th, as long as you're trying to forget.

 

[mayoclinic]

6th, as long as you're trying to forget.

Nope. 5th round, pick #170.

National Football League: NFL Draft Tracker 2009

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Nope. 5th round, pick #170.

National Football League: NFL Draft Tracker 2009

Made Downer think about him though.