AzPatsFan
Veteran Starter w/Big Long Term Deal
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2004
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I beleive there is an unusual set of circumstances occuring right now on the Offensive line.
It is no secret that Belichick has devoted most of the past few drafts re-building both the starters and reserves on Defense. It is astounding that there is only 1 starter, Wilfork, left from the 2007 undefeated team on Defense.
At the same time Belichick has taken only a few steps to rebuilding the Offense. I assume more will come. But look what he has done. He drafted mid-range WRs and a TE, found a couple, and end of Draft, Offensive linemen. The only premium picks he used on Offense were Gronkowki at TE and Volmer at Tackle,who both look like future stars. He also drafted a mid-range draft QB who failed, and discovered another "find" at the tail end of the draft in UDFA Brian Hoyer. He needs a next generation premium RB or two.
I think Belichick has been drafting his next generation Offensive line RESERVES, not his next generation expected starters, except for Volmer(!), as yet. I could see plans to use a pair of premium picks and invest in the Offensive line next draft.
If this is so, Belichick might well allocate additional positions to offensive linemen, to allow the future reserve candidates to stick around and grow.
Right now I think Ohrnberger, Larsen and Wendell are all vying for the next generation starting C job, and for reserve G. None are big enough for a full time starting G position. I speculate that the future RT and starting G candidates are future premium draft picks.
It is no secret that Belichick has devoted most of the past few drafts re-building both the starters and reserves on Defense. It is astounding that there is only 1 starter, Wilfork, left from the 2007 undefeated team on Defense.
At the same time Belichick has taken only a few steps to rebuilding the Offense. I assume more will come. But look what he has done. He drafted mid-range WRs and a TE, found a couple, and end of Draft, Offensive linemen. The only premium picks he used on Offense were Gronkowki at TE and Volmer at Tackle,who both look like future stars. He also drafted a mid-range draft QB who failed, and discovered another "find" at the tail end of the draft in UDFA Brian Hoyer. He needs a next generation premium RB or two.
I think Belichick has been drafting his next generation Offensive line RESERVES, not his next generation expected starters, except for Volmer(!), as yet. I could see plans to use a pair of premium picks and invest in the Offensive line next draft.
If this is so, Belichick might well allocate additional positions to offensive linemen, to allow the future reserve candidates to stick around and grow.
Right now I think Ohrnberger, Larsen and Wendell are all vying for the next generation starting C job, and for reserve G. None are big enough for a full time starting G position. I speculate that the future RT and starting G candidates are future premium draft picks.