Offensive Line

[AzPatsFan]

OTA reports say that Vollmer was playing RT, and Kaczur had been shifted to play Mankin's LG, in Logan's absence.

Some time in 2011 or 2012 the Pats will be doing major revisions to their Offensive Line. Bill Belichick has made some preliminary preparation for that transition,since he doesn't want rookies starting. Last year's draft added three Offensive line candidates, Vollmer, Ohrnberger and Bussey. Last year, Bill scrubbed his roster of reserves that he felt would not develop into full fledged starters, as he cut Callaghan, Britt and let Hochstein walk.

He replaced them with Connolly, and LeVoir. Vollmer looks like a future star and keeper at either LOT or ROT. Other interior possibilities are Wendell and Connolly, but I think both are only future reserves at best. This draft they added two more low round picks, Larsen and Welch, while Ohrnberger and Bussey were groomed last season.

I would expect that Volmer has claimed Kaczur's RT job as a way to learn while playing, before eventually going to LT, in a year or three. I expect Nick will be the swing Tackle and prime interior reserve at Guard. There seems to be a four-way fight to be the next Center. Ohrnberger, Wendell, and Larsen will try to eventually unseat incumbent Koppen. Kaczur, Connolly and Bussey will compete to eventually replace Neal, while Welch learns behind Levoir.

I suspect however, that Belichick will use another one or two high picks to Draft for their coming Offensive line re-tooling.

I know there wa lots of speculation of where Vollmer would break-in and its seems it is already clear, Day one. Or am I being premature?

 

[Fencer]

Until we have a better indication of whether Mankins will re-sign long term, speculating about future high draft picks is premature.

 

[Schmo]

This could be a very solid line this year, if Kazcur can be a competent backup for 4 OL spots (or maybe a starting quality G). Hopefully one of the backup C's can step up.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Until we have a better indication of whether Mankins will re-sign long term, speculating about future high draft picks is premature.

It takes more than stars at LT and LG to make a good line... I usually think a minimum of three and preferably four or more are needed. Three only, if both tackles are good. So I expect at least one of the top four draft picks will be an Offensive Lineman. I could see Belichick using a third rounder for an interior guy too.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Until we have a better indication of whether Mankins will re-sign long term, speculating about future high draft picks is premature.

Whether or not they re-sign Mankins, I see the Pats investing their 1st pick in the draft on a offensive tackle. Their O-line needs to get nasty as they are one of the softest lines in the league.

Koppen needs to be replaced, followed by Neal.

 

[BionicPatriot]

Whether or not they re-sign Mankins, I see the Pats investing their 1st pick in the draft on a offensive tackle. Their O-line needs to get nasty as they are one of the softest lines in the league.

Koppen needs to be replaced, followed by Neal.

I wont lie, when Neal plays he's pretty good, for all 8 games he plays in anyway. We need a G who's not injury prone. I also agree on Koppen. He's soft as ****, we need to get tougher at C.

 

[JSn]

Always rooting for the Canadian, here. I think Kaczur might actually be a dang-fine guard.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Always rooting for the Canadian, here. I think Kaczur might actually be a dang-fine guard.

Me too. He is a far better pass defender than your typical Guard. He has good size too, at almost 320#s.

The question is whether he can root out someone in the run game.

 

[Schmo]

Always rooting for the Canadian, here. I think Kaczur might actually be a dang-fine guard.

His biggest weakpoint has always been his lateral movement against pass-rushers. G just may be a great fit. I'm on the same bandwagon as you.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I wont lie, when Neal plays he's pretty good, for all 8 games he plays in anyway. We need a G who's not injury prone. I also agree on Koppen. He's soft as ****, we need to get tougher at C.

Neal is the oldest veteran on the Line. They signed him for two more years, and I assume he will play or share, until they have a candidate to take his job, full time. Kaczur might well be that guy, but the need to find a swing tackle first. I doubt LeVoir is that well regarded to be a #3.

 

[JoeShmoe]

Last year Koppen got destoyed by some of the bigger nose tackles and had to have consant help from Mankins and Neal - Bradys biggest weakness is the rush up the middle

Personally I think we need a bigger body there

 

[Tunescribe]

No mention thus far of Matt Light. I think Light's days at LT are numbered. This might be his last year there, and Vollmer seems the heir apparent. I want to see Mankins re-signed. Hopefully Neal can stay healthy this year, so we're set with the starters as a solid group and have good depth. I don't think we're strong enough physically at center, though. So in the 2011 draft I'm hoping BB will go for some OL studs addressing needs at center (Koppen's successor), RT and guard (Neal's successor).

 

[satz]

Last year Koppen got destoyed by some of the bigger nose tackles and had to have consant help from Mankins and Neal - Bradys biggest weakness is the rush up the middle

Personally I think we need a bigger body there

If you do go big in center you loss a alot of screen play down field blocking due to size and also the QB is now seeing over a bigger center in his vision.A reason a center in this league not big .Also center slide more around so need to be more atheletic then gaurds and smart.

koppen played all year injured so i am not sure where the whole he is not tough came from . A nose is not supposed to be blocked alone.

 

[captain stone]

OTA reports say that Vollmer was playing RT, and Kaczur had been shifted to play Mankin's LG, in Logan's absence.

Some time in 2011 or 2012 the Pats will be doing major revisions to their Offensive Line. Bill Belichick has made some preliminary preparation for that transition,since he doesn't want rookies starting. Last year's draft added three Offensive line candidates, Vollmer, Ohrnberger and Bussey. Last year, Bill scrubbed his roster of reserves that he felt would not develop into full fledged starters, as he cut Callaghan, Britt and let Hochstein walk.

He replaced them with Connolly, and LeVoir. Vollmer looks like a future star and keeper at either LOT or ROT. Other interior possibilities are Wendell and Connolly, but I think both are only future reserves at best. This draft they added two more low round picks, Larsen and Welch, while Ohrnberger and Bussey were groomed last season.

I would expect that Volmer has claimed Kaczur's RT job as a way to learn while playing, before eventually going to LT, in a year or three. I expect Nick will be the swing Tackle and prime interior reserve at Guard. There seems to be a four-way fight to be the next Center. Ohrnberger, Wendell, and Larsen will try to eventually unseat incumbent Koppen. Kaczur, Connolly and Bussey will compete to eventually replace Neal, while Welch learns behind Levoir.

I suspect however, that Belichick will use another one or two high picks to Draft for their coming Offensive line re-tooling.

I know there wa lots of speculation of where Vollmer would break-in and its seems it is already clear, Day one. Or am I being premature?

Not at all. In fact, I agree with everything you wrote, incl. which players are slotted for which positions.

The bottom line is, Kaczur must no longer start at, or even play, either LT or RT unless Light, Vollmer & LeVoir are all hurt. His future with this team should be only as a Guard, a position less likely to get Brady killed than Tackle. And because Neal seems to miss 4-6 games per year, Kaczur could see plenty of snaps with the starters at RG this season.

P.S.: I also agree with everyone who realizes that Koppen needs to be replaced, ASAP. Is Ted Larson the heir apparent? IDK, but he's prob. closer than either Wendell, Connelly or OBurger.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

I wont lie, when Neal plays he's pretty good, for all 8 games he plays in anyway. We need a G who's not injury prone. I also agree on Koppen. He's soft as ****, we need to get tougher at C.

When I said Neal needs to be replaced, it wasn't because of his play but because of his age.

No mention thus far of Matt Light. I think Light's days at LT are numbered. This might be his last year there, and Vollmer seems the heir apparent. I want to see Mankins re-signed. Hopefully Neal can stay healthy this year, so we're set with the starters as a solid group and have good depth. I don't think we're strong enough physically at center, though. So in the 2011 draft I'm hoping BB will go for some OL studs addressing needs at center (Koppen's successor), RT and guard (Neal's successor).

The reason why Matt Light won't be in the conversation is because if Vollmer takes over at LT, Kaczur is back at RT. Obviously, Light is better than Kaczur. But I agree, this could be Light's last season and I think the Pats will take a offensive tackle with their 1st pick in the draft.